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

Zerkle, 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 Zerkle surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Zerkle in America

Zerkle is the 38532nd most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Zerkle surname appeared 574 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 Zerkle.

We can also compare 2010 data for Zerkle 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 Zerkle

The surname Zerkle traces its origins back to Germany, specifically to the regions of Bavaria and Swabia, around the 16th to 17th centuries. Derived from the German word "Zirkle" or "Zirkel," which means "circle" or "compass," the name likely referred to someone who used a compass in their trade, such as a draftsman, surveyor, or a cartographer. The variations in spelling occurred due to regional dialects and the phonetic transcription practices of the time.

Historical references to the surname can be found in church registers and town records in Bavaria from the early 1600s. One of the earliest documented instances of a variation of the name appears in a baptismal record from 1625 in the town of Günzburg in Swabia. The record mentions a Johann Zirkle, a laborer, baptized that year. As with many Germanic surnames, various spellings such as Zirkle, Zuerckel, and Zerkel have been recorded over the centuries.

Notable individuals bearing the surname include Matthias Zerkle, born in 1654 in Augsburg. Matthias was a respected draftsman and surveyor whose works contributed to map-making in the Swabian region. His records in the Augsburg city archives from 1681 through 1705 reflect his contributions to civil engineering projects.

Another significant figure is Wilhelm Zerkle, a Lutheran clergyman born in 1720 in Nuremberg. Wilhelm was known for his theological writings and sermons, which were influential during his time. His documented sermons, preserved in the Franconian archives, highlight the socio-religious issues of the period. He died in 1775, leaving behind a legacy of religious and social commentary.

Anna Maria Zerkle, born in 1803 in Munich, is a notable female figure with this surname. She was an early advocate for women's education and opened a small school for girls in her hometown. Records from the Bavarian educational system from 1835 indicate that her school was one of the first of its kind in the region.

The name appears in early American records as well, likely brought over by German immigrants. George Zerkle, born in 1798 in Baden-Württemberg, emigrated to the United States in 1832, settling in Pennsylvania. His descendants established themselves in various trades, contributing to the burgeoning American industrial landscape.

Johan Friedrich Zerkel, a contemporary of George, was born in 1785 in Stuttgart and is noted for his role in local governance. As a town council member in the early 1800s, Johan Friedrich was involved in several significant urban development projects documented in Stuttgart's municipal records. He was instrumental in modernizing the town's infrastructure until his death in 1847.

Throughout history, the surname Zerkle and its variants have been borne by influential figures in various fields. The name remains a testament to the rich cultural and professional legacies of the families who carried it.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Zerkle

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

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

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

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