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

Zielske, 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 Zielske surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Zielske in America

Zielske is the 96799th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Zielske surname appeared 188 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 Zielske.

We can also compare 2010 data for Zielske 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 Zielske

The surname Zielske is of German origin, with its roots tracing back to the regions of Eastern Prussia and Pomerania. These areas, located in modern-day northeastern Germany and Poland, were historically significant for their diverse cultural and linguistic influences, contributing to the development of unique surnames. The time period when the surname first appeared in historical records is around the 14th to 15th centuries, a time when surnames started being recorded for taxation, land ownership, and legal purposes.

The name Zielske is likely derived from a Slavic personal name or a toponym, similar to many other surnames in Eastern Prussia and Pomerania. One possible etymology is the Slavic root word "ziel," which is associated with green or vegetation, reflecting the agrarian societies of the time. Another derivation could involve the Old Prussian word "zilis," meaning quiet or calm, indicating a person's demeanor or a feature of the land they inhabited.

Historical references to the Zielske surname appear in various local records and manuscripts. For instance, in the Prussian land registers of the 1500s, families bearing the name Zielske were documented as landowners, farmers, and tradespeople. These records often served to identify tax obligations and land disputes, offering insight into the lives of those who carried the surname.

One of the earliest recorded examples of the Zielske surname is that of Hans Zielske, who was noted in a 1534 Pomeranian tax record as a farmer in the village of Groß Jestin (now Jezierzyce, Poland). Another early instance is the mention of Maria Zielske in a 1621 church registry from Königsberg (now Kaliningrad, Russia), detailing her marriage to Johann Lange, a local tradesman. These entries highlight the surname's presence and integration into local communities.

In the 18th century, the surname Zielske became more widely documented due to improved record-keeping and the increase in population movement. For example, Friedrich Zielske, born in 1786, was recorded as a miller in the Brandenburg region. Another notable individual, Karl Zielske, born in 1823, was recognized for his contributions to local governance in the town of Stolp (now Słupsk, Poland), serving as a councilman until his death in 1885.

Moving into the 19th and early 20th centuries, the surname continued to appear in various regions within Germany and beyond. Heinrich Zielske, born in 1867, was a prominent figure in his community in Mecklenburg, having established a successful shipping business. His son, Wilhelm Zielske, born in 1895, went on to become an influential engineer, contributing to various infrastructure projects in Berlin until his passing in 1952.

These historical references paint a picture of the Zielske surname as rooted in the agrarian and trade professions, with its bearers often being integral members of their local communities. They also underscore the name's endurance through multiple centuries and political changes, reflecting both the stability and adaptability of the families who carried it.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Zielske

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

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

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

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