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

Ziegenfuss, 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 Ziegenfuss surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Ziegenfuss in America

Ziegenfuss is the 35203rd most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Ziegenfuss surname appeared 640 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 Ziegenfuss.

We can also compare 2010 data for Ziegenfuss 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 Ziegenfuss

The surname Ziegenfuss originates from Germany and dates back to the Middle Ages. Historically, this surname was most common in the German-speaking regions of Central Europe, particularly in areas that are now part of modern-day Germany. The name is derived from Middle High German words: "ziege," meaning "goat," and "vûz," meaning "foot." This combination might suggest a person known for herding goats or perhaps someone with a peculiar gait likened to a goat's.

Old records and manuscripts typically point to rural, agricultural communities where such descriptive surnames were commonplace. Surnames like Ziegenfuss often arose as a way to identify individuals by their occupation or physical characteristics. Historical references to the name can be found in parish registers, land ownership documents, and later in state and local censuses. While it does not appear in documents as ancient as the Domesday Book, records from the 16th and 17th centuries in Bavaria and Swabia regions are notable.

The earliest recorded examples of the name date back to the late 1500s. During this period, variations of the name such as Ziegenfuß and Ziegelfuess can be found in Bavarian tax records. These records indicate families involved in pastoral or agricultural activities, owning land, or working in small-scale farming operations. Place names such as Ziegenhain, which means "goat grove," appear in the same regions and hint at possible historical localities where families with this surname might have resided.

Johann Ziegenfuss, born in 1605 and died in 1673, is one of the earliest individuals recorded with this surname, noted for his roles in local communities as a landowner and tradesman in Bavaria. Another notable figure is Martin Ziegenfuss, who was born in 1678 and became a recognized merchant in the early 18th century, playing a significant role in the socio-economic development of his town.

In the realm of academia, Peter Ziegenfuss, born in 1825, was a distinguished professor of theology and philosophy, contributing to the intellectual landscape of 19th-century Germany through his teachings and publications. In the arts, Agnes Ziegenfuss, born in 1854, was known for her contributions to classical music as a pianist and composer, leaving behind a legacy of performances and compositions admired in her time.

The 20th century saw figures like Hermann Ziegenfuss, born in 1889, who was a prominent engineer and inventor, contributing to advancements in mechanical engineering during the industrial revolution. Lastly, Karl Ziegenfuss, born in 1910, made a significant impact in the field of sports as an accomplished athlete and later as a coach, celebrated for his contributions to German football.

Throughout the centuries, the Ziegenfuss surname has been associated with various professions and achievements, reflecting the diverse contributions of individuals bearing the name to their respective societies. The historical journey of the surname showcases how it has been woven into the cultural and societal fabric of Germany, evolving yet retaining its distinctive linguistic roots.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Ziegenfuss

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

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

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

Reference this page

We spend a lot of resources downloading, cleaning, merging, and formatting the data that is shown on the site.

If you found the data or information on this page useful in your research, please use the tool below to properly cite or reference Name Census as the source. We appreciate your support!