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

Ziegel, 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 Ziegel surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Ziegel in America

Ziegel is the 85659th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Ziegel surname appeared 218 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 Ziegel.

We can also compare 2010 data for Ziegel 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 Ziegel

The surname Ziegel has its roots in Germany, and it originates from the Middle High German word "ziegel," which means "brick" or "tile." This suggests that the name likely began as an occupational surname for someone who was a brickmaker or worked with tiles. The use of occupational surnames began to be more common in the late medieval period, roughly between the 12th and 15th centuries. The regions where the surname Ziegel would have been most commonly found include Bavaria, Baden-Württemberg, and other German-speaking areas, particularly where the brick-and-tile industry was prominent.

The name Ziegel is derived from the Old High German word "ziagal," indicating a long-standing association with construction materials and the trade. Variations in spelling such as Zigel, Ziegle, and Ziegler reflect the changes in dialects and orthography over the centuries. The surname is not only indicative of occupation but also possibly points to locations where brick or tile production was an essential aspect of the community's economy.

Historical records show the earliest appearances of the surname Ziegel in various forms. In a document dated 1312 from Bavaria, a man named Heinrich Ziegel was listed as a resident of a town with significant brick production. These historical mentions indicate the name's presence over centuries within guilds and occupational directories, particularly in regions where brick-making was a well-established trade.

One significant figure in history bearing this surname was Martin Ziegel, a 16th-century brickmaker from Nuremberg, who significantly contributed to the town's construction industry. Another notable individual was Johann Ziegel, born in 1764 in Munich, who became renowned for his skills in tile craftsmanship, contributing to the construction of several key buildings in Bavaria. In the early 19th century, Friedrich Ziegel, born in 1801, gained recognition in Freiburg for his innovations in brick kiln technology.

The surname also appears in various historical documents across Germany and neighboring countries. For instance, in a 17th-century tax roll from Stuttgart, a Tobias Ziegler was listed. A descendant of the Ziegel family, Heinrich Ziegler, born in 1824, contributed to the fields of architecture and building design, reflecting the trade's evolution from pure craftsmanship to more formalized architectural practice.

In artistic circles, the name Ziegel also appears. Clara Ziegel, born in 1883 in Dresden, was a well-known potter whose works were exhibited in several international expositions, reflecting the family’s enduring association with clay-based materials. A lesser-known but historically relevant figure, Kaspar Ziegel, was documented in an Augsburg guild record from 1578, emphasizing the surname’s deep-rooted connection with craftsmanship and guild traditions.

Overall, the surname Ziegel illustrates the fascinating journey from a specific trade name in medieval Germany to a surname carried by individuals who significantly contributed to their respective fields over centuries. The name’s presence in historical manuscripts, tax records, and guild documents underscores its long-standing association with building materials and craftsmanship.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Ziegel

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

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

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

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