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

Zietz, 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 Zietz surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Zietz in America

Zietz is the 39281st most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Zietz surname appeared 560 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 Zietz.

We can also compare 2010 data for Zietz 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 Zietz

The surname Zietz is believed to have its origins in Germany. Early records suggest that the name likely derives from Middle High German and Old German vocabulary. In particular, it may have originated from the Old High German word "zîdar" meaning "peace" or "gentle," which indicates that it was possibly used to denote a person known for peaceful or gentle characteristics. Alternatively, it could be toponymic, derived from place names that contain the syllable "Zietz" or a variant thereof.

The name Zietz or its variations were primarily found in the regions of Saxony-Anhalt, Saxony, and Thuringia. One of the earliest significant mentions of this name dates back to the 12th and 13th centuries, when families in these regions began adopting what we now recognize as hereditary surnames. Historical documents from these periods sometimes show variants of the surname, such as Zitz or Zitzmann, which suggest a common origin or closely related lineage.

One notable early reference to the surname is found in a 15th-century manuscript from Leipzig, where a Johannes Zietz is mentioned as a local merchant. This mention from around 1475 indicates the surname's presence in urban economic activities. Another historical reference appears in church records from the city of Naumburg in 1589, mentioning a Bernhart Zietz who was a well-respected clergy member, indicating the name's association with significant social roles.

Moving forward to the 18th century, Christian Friedrich Zietz (1712-1783) stands out as a prominent figure. He was a theologian and writer from the region of Saxony, significantly contributing to religious and philosophical discourse of his time. His published works and academic achievements have been extensively documented, providing insight into intellectual circles of his era.

Enter the 19th century, and the name Zietz appears in the context of industrialization and scientific study. Heinrich Zietz (1835-1902) was an influential chemist whose research in organic compounds laid foundational work for modern chemical sciences. His career involved numerous publications and collaborations that positioned him prominently within the scientific community of his day.

In the early 20th century, another notable figure was Henry J. Zietz (1859-1936), also known as "Heinie." He was a distinguished cowboy and later a popular figure in Wild West Shows alongside Buffalo Bill Cody. His life and adventures have been recounted in biographies and historical recountings of the American West.

Another influential personality bearing the surname was Tracy L. Zietz (1909-1982), a composer and conductor whose contributions to orchestral music earned him recognition in the mid-20th century. His compositions and musical direction impacted the development of orchestral performances across Europe and North America.

Each of these individuals, spanning across centuries, showcases the diverse scope and historical significance of the surname Zietz. Whether in commerce, academia, the sciences, or the arts, the bearers of this surname have left impactful legacies tied deeply to the regions and periods from which they hailed.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Zietz

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

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

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

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