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

Zerr, 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 Zerr surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Zerr in America

Zerr is the 18144th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Zerr surname appeared 1,534 times in the 2010 census and if you were to sample 100,000 people in the United States, approximately 1 people would have the surname Zerr.

We can also compare 2010 data for Zerr 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 Zerr

The surname Zerr is believed to have its origins in the German-speaking regions of Europe, particularly in areas such as present-day Germany and Austria. The name likely emerged during the medieval period, possibly around the 12th or 13th century, when surnames began to be adopted more widely.

Etymologically, Zerr may derive from older Germanic elements. It's possible that it originated from the Middle High German word 'zerren' which means 'to tear' or 'to rend', indicating a characteristic or occupation associated with the action, such as a butcher or someone who worked with fabrics. Another possibility is that it originated from a diminutive form of a longer name, though historical evidence leans more towards the occupational or descriptive origin.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name appears in 14th-century German records. A Hans Zerr is mentioned in a 1356 document from the city of Nuremberg. This suggests that the surname had established its presence in prominent urban centers of the Holy Roman Empire by this time.

In Austria, the Zerr name appears in manorial rolls and tax documents during the 15th century. A notable figure during this time is Johannes Zerr, born in 1423 and mentioned in 1470 as a landowner in what is now Lower Austria. His involvement in local politics is recorded in several regional chronicles, indicating the prominence of the family in that region.

During the Thirty Years' War (1618-1648), records show that the Zerr family was among those affected by the widespread turmoil. Martin Zerr, born 1592, fought in the war and his military service is noted in accounts from the Electorate of Bavaria. After the war, many families including the Zerrs faced difficult times due to the devastation caused.

The surname appears again in historical references from the 18th century. Friedrich Zerr, born 1703, was a notable scholar and theologian during the Enlightenment period in Germany. His works on philosophy and religion were well-regarded and he became a significant academic figure until his death in 1771.

Another prominent bearer was Katharina Zerr, an early 19th-century figure born in 1798 in Alsace, then part of France but with a strong German heritage. Her diaries provide a detailed account of life during the Napoleonic Wars and are a valuable historical resource for understanding that era.

By the early 20th century, the Zerr name had spread to other parts of Europe and even North America due to migration. One such example is Wilhelm Zerr, born in 1885 in Bavaria, who emigrated to the United States in 1905. He became a successful businessman in Pennsylvania, contributing to the economic growth of his community until his death in 1952.

This rich historical tapestry demonstrates the varied and significant contributions of individuals bearing the surname Zerr through many centuries and regions. Their legacy highlights the enduring nature and evolving story of this unique surname.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Zerr

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

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

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

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