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

Ziebell, 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 Ziebell surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Ziebell in America

Ziebell is the 20239th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Ziebell surname appeared 1,315 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 Ziebell.

We can also compare 2010 data for Ziebell 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 Ziebell

The surname Ziebell has its origins in Germany, likely emerging in the regions of Prussia or Saxony during the Middle Ages. Its etymology is linked to the Middle High German word "ziebel," which translates to "onion." This suggests that the name could have been an occupational surname for someone who grew or sold onions, or possibly a nickname for someone perceived to be layered or multifaceted in character.

Historical references to the surname Ziebell can be found in various records dating back to the 14th century. Manuscripts from the Hanseatic League, a commercial and defensive confederation of merchant guilds and market towns in Northwestern and Central Europe, occasionally mention individuals bearing the surname. These documents provide glimpses into the lives of early Ziebells, who were likely engaged in trade or agriculture.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the surname is from a 1365 document in Lübeck, which references a merchant named Heinrich Ziebell. This mention indicates that the name was not uncommon among the merchant classes in Northern Germany. Similarly, the name appears in a 1423 registry of landowners in the region of Saxony, listing a Wilhelm Ziebell as the proprietor of a modest estate.

In the 16th century, the Ziebell name appears in religious records during the Reformation. Theologian Martin Ziebell, born in 1487 and dying in 1546, was a known advocate of Protestant reform in the town of Wittenberg. His writings contributed to the spread of Lutheranism and secured the Ziebell surname a place in the annals of religious history.

Traveling forward to the 18th century, the name is seen once more in military records. Captain Johann Ziebell, born in 1702 and deceased in 1760, served in the Prussian army during the War of Austrian Succession. His service and eventual sacrifice in battle are commemorated in military annals of the period.

Another notable bearer of the surname is Friedrich Ziebell, an industrialist born in 1824 and passing away in 1881. He was a pioneer in the early days of mechanized manufacturing in the Ruhr region, contributing to the burgeoning industrial revolution in Germany. His factories provided employment for many and spurred economic growth in the area.

The surname Ziebell has also left its mark on the field of academia. In 1893, a distinguished mathematician named Karl Ziebell published influential papers on theoretical mathematics, pushing the boundaries of what was known at the time.

Throughout its history, the surname Ziebell has been connected to various prominent figures across different time periods and professions, reflecting a rich and varied legacy. Whether in trade, religion, military service, industry, or academia, the Ziebell name has made significant contributions to the historical tapestry of German society.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Ziebell

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

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

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

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