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

Zierk, 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 Zierk surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Zierk in America

Zierk is the 101247th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Zierk surname appeared 178 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 Zierk.

We can also compare 2010 data for Zierk 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 Zierk

The surname Zierk has its roots in Germany, primarily within regions of East Prussia and Pomerania. The surname Zierk derives from the ancient Germanic elements. The name itself could be related to the Middle High German word "zierlich," meaning "delicate" or "graceful," as well as the Old High German word "ziera," meaning "ornament." These interpretations suggest that the name may have originated as a nickname or descriptive moniker, highlighting notable personal attributes.

In historical records, the surname Zierk has been found in various forms. One of the earliest mentions can be traced back to the 14th century, reflecting the evolution of the name through different spellings such as Zirk or Ziercke. Manuscripts from the era show individuals with these names in municipal and tax records, hinting at their roles within local communities, often in craftsmanship or trade.

One notable person with the surname Zierk is Otto Zierk, born in 1795 and died in 1867, who was known for his crucial role in the agricultural development of East Prussia. Another eminent figure is Ferdinand Zierk, born in 1843 and dead in 1911, a distinguished academic who contributed significantly to German legal studies. Historical archives frequently reference a Sophia Zierk from the early 18th century, known for her extensive letters that provide a vivid depiction of the daily life and culture of her time.

In the 16th century, Kaspar Zierk gained prominence as a merchant in the bustling trade city of Danzig. His business dealings were documented in various trade ledgers, reflecting the growth of commercial networks in the region. A Johann Zierk, active in the late 17th century, is another significant figure whose name appears in military records, particularly within the lists of soldiers partaking in the Brandenburg-Prussian wars.

The surname Zierk has persisted through the centuries, showing a remarkable continuity of heritage and identity. The varied roles and regions associated with individuals bearing this surname underscore a rich tapestry of historical and cultural significance, evolving from descriptive roots to notable societal contributions.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Zierk

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

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

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

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