Find out how popular the last name Zerner is in the United States and learn more about the meaning, history, and race and ethnic origin of people in America who are named Zerner.
A German surname derived from a place name related to the word "Zirne" meaning pine cone or pine seed.
Zerner, 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 Zerner surname is from the 2000 census data.
Zerner is the 146011th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.
The Zerner surname appeared 104 times in the 2000 census and if you were to sample 100,000 people in the United States, approximately 0 people would have the surname Zerner.
The surname Zerner is of German origin, with its roots likely tracing back to the medieval period. The name is thought to have originated in the region that is now known as modern-day Germany. Specifically, it comes from areas such as Bavaria or Saxony, where Germanic tribes settled and influenced the cultural and linguistic development of the region.
The name Zerner is derived from the Middle High German word "zirnaere," which refers to someone who works with precious metals, particularly a pewterer. This occupational surname was common in a time when trades and crafts were handed down through families, and surnames often reflected one's profession.
One of the earliest mentions of a similar name can be found in old records dating back to the 14th century. A historical document from 1350, the Nürnberger Umland records, lists a Heinrich der Zirner, which shows the occupational link. This indicates that the name was already in use and connected to metalworking trades in the area around Nuremberg.
By the 16th century, the name had evolved into its modern form, Zerner. One notable individual from this period is Hans Zerner, a pewterer who worked in Leipzig from 1550 to 1590. His craftsmanship was well-regarded, and some of his works are preserved in museums today.
Another prominent figure is Johann Zerner, born in 1625 and died in 1689, who was a well-known silversmith in Munich. His creations were often commissioned by the Bavarian court, reflecting the high regard for his skill in metalwork.
In the 18th century, the surname appears in the records of emigration to the Americas. One example is Georg Zerner, who left Bremen in 1766 and settled in Pennsylvania, contributing to the spread of the surname outside Europe.
The 19th century saw the rise of intellectuals bearing the name. Friedrich Zerner, born in 1824 and died in 1892, was a noted German philologist whose research in Germanic languages influenced the academic community.
More recently, Ulrich Zerner, born in 1868 and died in 1945, was a distinguished chemist known for his work in organic chemistry and his contributions to early pharmacology.
Throughout history, the surname Zerner has primarily been associated with skilled artisans, craftsmen, and intellectuals. Its origins in the Germanic regions of Europe and its evolution through centuries reflect both the occupational and geographic influences that shaped its meaning and significance.
We also have some data on the ancestry of people with the surname Zerner.
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:
For the most recent 2000 census data, the race/ethnic origin breakdown for Zerner was:
| Race/Ethnicity | Percentage | Total Occurrences |
|---|---|---|
| Non-Hispanic White Only | 96.15% | 100 |
| Non-Hispanic Black Only | 0.00% | 0 |
| Non-Hispanic Asian and Pacific Islander Only | (S)% | (S) |
| Non-Hispanic American Indian and Alaskan Native | 0.00% | 0 |
| Non-Hispanic of Two or More Races | (S)% | (S) |
| Hispanic Origin | 0.00% | 0 |
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.
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 Zerner was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.
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