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

Zieske, 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 Zieske surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Zieske in America

Zieske is the 44270th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Zieske surname appeared 486 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 Zieske.

We can also compare 2010 data for Zieske 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 Zieske

The surname Zieske has its origins in Central and Eastern Europe, particularly within regions that are now part of modern-day Germany and Poland. The name is believed to have arisen during the Middle Ages, a period that extended from the 5th to the late 15th century. It is Germanic in origin, derived from a diminutive or affectionate form of personal names, or possibly from geographical features or settlements.

The name's etymology indicates that it may come from the root word "zies," an old German term referring to a substance or material, which could have been part of a person's occupation or a characteristic. Another possibility is the connection to a Slavic root "ziz," referring to a form of life or vitality, suggesting a link to personal qualities or a burgeoning community. Through centuries, surnames like Zieske were adapted and modified based on dialectal influences and linguistic shifts, often resulting in multiple spelling variations.

Historical records from the 14th and 15th centuries in areas such as Brandenburg and Pomerania show early instances of the name. In particular, church and tax records from these regions provide some of the earliest mentions of the Zieske surname. Documentation, such as land grants and civic registries, were crucial in tracking the presence of families bearing this name across generations.

The earliest documented individual with the surname Zieske is Johann Zieske, recorded in the town archives of Potsdam in 1462. Another notable historical figure is Matthäus Zieske, a merchant from Danzig (modern-day Gdańsk), who appeared in trading records from the early 1500s. This connection to prominent trading and market centers suggests the surname was associated with commerce and civic affairs.

In the 18th century, the name appears in military enlistments and town registries across Prussia. Friedrich Zieske, born in 1734, served as a junior officer in the Prussian army under Frederick the Great. Records from 1760 detail his service and contributions during the Seven Years' War, highlighting the widespread presence and activity of individuals with this surname.

In the 19th century, records show Wilhelm Zieske, born in 1802 in Königsberg, who made a name for himself as an educator and author in Eastern Prussia. His works on local history and geography were well-regarded, and his contributions to regional educational reforms were significant in this era of enlightenment and change.

Karoline Zieske, born in 1856, is another notable bearer of the surname. She was one of the first female graduates from the University of Berlin and subsequently became a pioneering figure in advocating for women's rights to education. Her efforts in the late 19th and early 20th centuries were instrumental in advancing the cause of gender equality in academic institutions.

While the surname Zieske might not be the most common, its historical roots and the notable individuals who bore the name reflect a rich and diverse legacy. The name's evolution, influenced by both Germanic and Slavic linguistic traditions, and its association with various historical figures contribute to a fascinating onomastic heritage.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Zieske

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

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

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

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