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

Zettel, 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 Zettel surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Zettel in America

Zettel is the 34272nd most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Zettel surname appeared 662 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 Zettel.

We can also compare 2010 data for Zettel 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 Zettel

The surname Zettel likely finds its origins in the German-speaking regions of Europe, particularly in Germany and Switzerland. The origin of the name can be traced back to the Middle Ages, where it emerged as a descriptive or occupational surname. In German, the word "zettel" means "note" or "slip of paper," and it is believed that the surname may have been used to describe someone who was a scribe or clerk, someone who worked with documents and notes.

In examining the linguistic roots, the word zettel itself originates from Middle High German, derived from the Latin word "schedula," which also means "slip of paper" or "schedule." This connection underscores the possibility that the name may have initially denoted someone engaged in administrative or clerical work. Variants and similar spellings of the surname include Czettel, Zettl, and Zetel, which can be seen in historical records from various Germanic regions.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the Zettel surname appears in archival material from the 15th century. A document dated in 1470 mentions a Hans Zettl of Bavaria, who was noted for his contributions to local governance. Another early example includes an entry from a parish register in Zurich in 1534, noting the marriage of Fritz Zettel, a farmer by occupation.

As for historical references, the surname appears in various legal and property records throughout the German-speaking territories during the 16th and 17th centuries. One such reference is found in the records of the city of Augsburg, where a merchant named Michael Zettel was listed in 1602. His activities in trade and commerce were well documented, providing insight into the social status of individuals carrying this surname.

Several notable individuals with the surname Zettel have made their mark in history. Among them is Johann Zettel (1645-1715), an influential theologian and writer from Mainz whose works were widely read during the late 17th century. Another significant figure is Friedrich Zettel (1783-1856), a physician and early pioneer of modern medical practices in Vienna. His publications contributed to advances in the medical field during his time.

In more recent history, the 19th century saw the emergence of Joseph Zettel, born in 1822, a notable politician and statesman in Bavaria. His efforts in the regional parliament were pivotal in shaping local policy and governance. Another significant personality was Anna Zettel (1867-1943), a celebrated artist known for her landscape paintings that captured the natural beauty of the Tyrolean Alps.

The surname Zettel, with its roots deeply embedded in the German-speaking regions, reflects a rich history of clerical, administrative, and professional significance. It has been carried by individuals who have made notable contributions to their fields and left a lasting legacy in historical records.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Zettel

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

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

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

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