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

Zetterberg, 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 Zetterberg surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Zetterberg in America

Zetterberg is the 52383rd most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Zetterberg surname appeared 396 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 Zetterberg.

We can also compare 2010 data for Zetterberg 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 Zetterberg

Zetterberg is a surname with clear Scandinavian origins, specifically from Sweden. The name can be traced back to the late Middle Ages, around the 14th century. Derived from the Swedish words "zäta" (a dialect form of "zet") meaning "guard" or "watcher," and "berg" meaning "mountain" or "hill," the surname essentially means "guardian of the mountain."

Zetterberg, as a family name, first gained prominence in the Swedish provinces of Värmland and Dalarna. These areas were rich with mining towns and agricultural settlements, which made the surname particularly fitting given the landscape and its inherent need for sentinels or watchers.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the surname Zetterberg dates back to parish records in Värmland from the late 1500s. These records are invaluable in tracing the genealogy and dispersal of the name throughout Sweden. A notable record mentions a Johan Zetterberg, born in 1590, who was a landowner in the region at the time.

In historical documents, the surname sometimes appears in varied approximations due to transliterations and regional dialects, including "Sätterberg" and "Zätherberg." Such variations can be traced in old Swedish registries and manuscripts, reflecting the phonetic interpretation of clerks and scribes throughout different eras.

The Zetterberg name has also been associated with several notable figures throughout history. Johan Zetterberg, an influential merchant born in 1735, played a significant role in the trade affairs between Sweden and the Baltic states. Another significant individual was Gustav Zetterberg, born in 1802, who was a key figure in the Swedish Industrial Revolution, contributing substantial advancements in the mining sector.

In the 19th century, the Zetterberg family expanded its influence across Scandinavian borders. Carl Zetterberg, born in 1836, became a prominent diplomat representing Swedish interests in Russia and later Germany. His efforts were crucial in strengthening Sweden's diplomatic relationships during a volatile period in European history.

In more recent history, the name gained international recognition through Henrik Zetterberg, born in 1980, a famed Swedish ice hockey player who captained the Detroit Red Wings in the NHL. His sporting achievements have brought the Zetterberg name into modern prominence, echoing the legacy left by his historical predecessors.

Through centuries of resilience and adaptation, the Zetterberg surname has preserved its identity and significance within Swedish heritage and beyond. The rich history and notable figures associated with the name underscore its enduring legacy and cultural relevance.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Zetterberg

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

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

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

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