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

Zerkel, 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 Zerkel surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Zerkel in America

Zerkel is the 73666th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Zerkel surname appeared 263 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 Zerkel.

We can also compare 2010 data for Zerkel 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 Zerkel

The surname Zerkel is believed to have originated in Germany, specifically within the regions of Bavaria and Baden-Württemberg. Its origins can be traced back to the Middle Ages, likely around the 12th or 13th century. The name is thought to be derived from the Middle High German word "zerkelen," which means to branch out or spread out. This could signify that the original bearers of the name lived in an area where paths or waterways branched out or perhaps were involved in occupations that spread goods or services.

Historical references to the surname Zerkel are sparse, but its variants such as "Zirkel" appear more frequently in old manuscripts and records. One of the earliest mentions of the name can be found in a record from 1347, which lists a Heinrich Zirkel as a witness in a legal document in Nuremberg. The name appears in various forms including Zerkel, Zirkle, and Zirkel, often depending on the region and the local dialect.

By the 15th century, the Zerkel family had established itself within both urban and rural areas. A notable individual from this period is Johannes Zerkel, born in 1482, who was a merchant in Augsburg. Records show that he was involved in the export of textiles, a significant industry at that time. Johannes's success in trade contributed to the spread of the surname across different parts of Germany.

In the 17th century, the name Zerkel began to appear in church records and birth registries. One such entry includes the baptism of Anna Maria Zerkel in 1625 in the town of Ulm. As churches maintained meticulous records during this period, many such entries have served as vital sources for tracing the genealogy and distribution of the surname.

During the late 18th century, a member of the Zerkel family gained notable recognition. Friedrich Zerkel, born in 1756, was a scholar and a professor of theology at the University of Heidelberg. His contributions to religious studies and his extensive writings made him a well-known figure in academic circles. Friedrich's work helped to preserve the name in historical and educational records.

Moving into the 19th century, the surname Zerkel continued to be documented through various civic records. One prominent example is Elisabeth Zerkel, born in 1834, who became known for her philanthropic work in Stuttgart. She established several charitable institutions, focusing on education and healthcare, leaving a lasting impact on the community.

The surname Zerkel has thus traversed through various regions and time periods, adapting slightly in spelling and pronunciation but maintaining a distinct lineage. From medieval records to scholarly works and philanthropic endeavors, the Zerkel name is marked by its rich and varied history.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Zerkel

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

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

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

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