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

Zettle, 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 Zettle surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Zettle in America

Zettle is the 53913th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Zettle surname appeared 383 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 Zettle.

We can also compare 2010 data for Zettle 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 Zettle

The surname Zettle is of German origin, likely traceable back to the medieval period. It derives from the regions that now form part of modern-day Germany, specifically areas like Bavaria and Baden-Württemberg. During the Middle Ages, many surnames developed to describe occupation, location, or characteristics, and Zettle is no exception. The name is thought to be derived from the Middle High German word "zettel," meaning "note" or "list," suggestive of a person who worked as a clerk or scribe.

Old records reveal various forms and spellings of the name. One such example is an early recorded variation, "Zetteler," which appears in many Bavarian records. The surname Zettle and its variants, such as Zettel, Zettler, and Zettler, started to appear in official documents around the 13th and 14th centuries. One of the earliest noted examples is in records from 1348, which describe a Heinrich Zettler as a municipal clerk in the town of Munich.

Barbara Zettler, born in 1562, was another early bearer of the name in the town of Ulm. She was known for her charitable works and contributions to the local church. Records from the late 16th century detail her generous donations and the establishment of a small alms-house for the poor.

Moving forward in time, Peter Zettle, born in 1647, is documented as an early settler in what is now the state of Pennsylvania in the United States. He was part of the significant German emigration to the American colonies during the late 17th century and contributed to the cultural tapestry of early American society.

Jacob Zettler from Württemberg, born in 1754, is another notable figure associated with this surname. He gained recognition for his expertise in the brewing industry, establishing one of the prominent breweries in the region by the early 19th century. This legacy helped cement the Zettler name in the annals of German brewing history.

In the 19th century, Karl Zettler, born in 1822, emerged as a well-known figure in Munich's artistic community. He was a respected painter whose works were displayed in the city's major galleries and whose influence extended beyond regional boundaries to other parts of Europe.

The surname Zettle is also historically linked to place names. The village of Zettlitz in Saxony, Germany, is one etymological connection, as such place names often provided a geographical indicator for families. The name retains its historical and cultural significance, reflecting a legacy of occupation, geographic origin, and personal contribution across various spheres.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Zettle

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

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

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

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