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

Zerhusen, 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 Zerhusen surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Zerhusen in America

Zerhusen is the 79846th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Zerhusen surname appeared 238 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 Zerhusen.

We can also compare 2010 data for Zerhusen 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 Zerhusen

The surname Zerhusen is of German origin, specifically tracing back to the northern regions of Germany around the late medieval period. The name appears to be locational, deriving from a geographical feature or settlement in Germany. The etymology of Zerhusen suggests that it may be derived from old Germanic terms, potentially related to the words "zehr" or "zer," meaning "decay" or "consume," and "hausen," which relates to the term "houses" or "dwellings." Together, the surname could broadly translate to something akin to "village of decay" or "abandoned houses," possibly indicating a settlement that had fallen into disrepair.

Historical references to the surname Zerhusen are found in various records and manuscripts. One of the earliest recorded instances of the name appears in church records and tax documents from the 15th and 16th centuries. These records indicate that individuals bearing the surname Zerhusen were often settled in rural communities involved in agriculture and local trade.

The earliest known example of the surname is that of Johann Zerhusen, born in 1485, whose name appears in tax records from the region of Lower Saxony. Johann Zerhusen was noted as a landowner and farmer, indicating that the family possessed some standing within their community. These early records provide a glimpse into the agricultural roots of the Zerhusen family.

Another notable figure is Martin Zerhusen, born in 1542, who was a merchant in the Hanseatic city of Bremen. His activities included trade with other Baltic countries, illustrating the expansion of the family's influence and mobility during the Renaissance period. Martin's records show that the Zerhusen name began to spread beyond its original rural locality, adapting to the growing economic opportunities in trading hubs.

In the 17th century, the name appears in church baptismal records from Münster, with a reference to a Heinrich Zerhusen, born in 1603. Heinrich served as a town official, holding the position of a councilor. His role within the local administration highlights a transition of the surname from purely agrarian roots to a presence in municipal affairs.

In the early 18th century, another significant individual is Catharina Zerhusen, born in 1715, who was noted for her association with a local noble family in Osnabrück. Records indicate that Catharina managed an estate, which suggests a further elevation in the social status of the family. Her management skills and the family's noble connections underpin the increasing prominence of the Zerhusen family in northwestern Germany.

Lastly, in the 19th century, Friedrich Zerhusen, born in 1836, emerged as an influential figure associated with the industrialization of Germany. Friedrich was an engineer and inventor, contributing to advancements in agricultural machinery. His patents and innovations were well-documented and recognized, marking the family's involvement in the technological progress of the time.

The surname Zerhusen, with its rich history rooted in rural Germany, has evolved over centuries. It reflects a journey from agrarian livelihoods to participation in trade, municipal governance, and eventually, industrial innovation. This narrative encapsulates the diverse contributions of the Zerhusen family throughout history.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Zerhusen

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

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 Zerhusen 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 Zerhusen 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 Zerhusen was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

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

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