Find out how popular the last name Zerger is in the United States and learn more about the meaning, history, and race and ethnic origin of people in America who are named Zerger.

Zerger, like all of the last names we have data for, is identified by the U.S. Census Bureau as a surname which has more than 100 occurrences in the United States in the Decennial Census survey. The most recent statistics we have for the Zerger surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Zerger in America

Zerger is the 64891st most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Zerger surname appeared 306 times in the 2010 census and if you were to sample 100,000 people in the United States, approximately 0 people would have the surname Zerger.

We can also compare 2010 data for Zerger to data from the previous census in 2000. The table below contains all of the statistics for both years in a side-by-side comparison.

The history of the last name Zerger

The surname Zerger originates from Germany, specifically from areas within the historical regions of Bavaria and Swabia. The name is believed to have been derived from the Middle High German word "zerg," meaning "to tease" or "to make fun." This suggests that the original bearers of the name may have been known for their playful or teasing nature, possibly jesters or entertainers in medieval German society.

Early records of the surname appear in various forms. One of the earliest mentions is a 14th-century manuscript from Bavaria that refers to a Heinrich Zerger, who was noted for his involvement in local trade. Over the centuries, the surname spread to neighboring regions, often maintaining its original spelling but occasionally appearing as Zarger or Zörger in different dialectal areas.

Johann Zerger, born in 1452 and died in 1510, is one of the earliest individuals of notable historical significance with this surname. He was a well-known blacksmith in Augsburg, contributing to the craft traditions of the time. Another prominent figure is Anna Zerger, born in 1621, who was documented in the municipal records of Nuremberg for her charitable work and contributions to the local orphanage, indicating the family's involvement in social welfare.

Moving forward to the 18th century, Friedrich Zerger, born in 1757, is recognized as a distinguished military figure during the Napoleonic Wars. His leadership in the Bavarian infantry earned him accolades and a mention in military histories of the period. In the realm of science, Karl Zerger, born in 1803 and died in 1875, made significant contributions to early geological studies in the Swabian Jura, and his publications are still referenced in historical geology texts.

Furthermore, the surname made its way to the New World during the 19th century. Jakob Zerger, who immigrated to the United States in 1845, became a notable settler in Ohio. He was instrumental in establishing one of the earliest Lutheran congregations in the state, reflecting the religious and communal values often associated with the Zerger family name.

These historical figures and records highlight the diverse contributions of individuals bearing the Zerger surname, reflecting a rich legacy derived from medieval German origins, and maintained through various societal roles over the centuries.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Zerger

We also have some data on the ancestry of people with the surname Zerger.

The below race categories are the modified race categories used in the Census Bureau's population estimates program. All people were categorized into six mutually exclusive racial and Hispanic origin groups:

1. White only
2. Black only
3. American Indian and Alaskan Native only
4. Asian and Pacific Islander only
5. Hispanic
6. Two or More Races

For the most recent 2010 census data, the race/ethnic origin breakdown for Zerger was:

Note: Any fields showing (S) means the data was suppressed for privacy so that the data does not in any way identify any specific individuals.

Since we have data from the previous census in 2000, we can also compare the values to see how the popularity of Zerger has changed in the 10 years between the two census surveys.

Data source

The last name data and ethnic breakdown of last names is sourced directly from the Decennial Census survey, conducted every 10 years by the United States Census Bureau.

The history and meaning of the name Zerger was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

If you have a correction or suggestion to improve the history of Zerger, please contact us.

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