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

Ziffer, 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 Ziffer surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Ziffer in America

Ziffer is the 98982nd most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Ziffer surname appeared 183 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 Ziffer.

We can also compare 2010 data for Ziffer 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 Ziffer

The surname Ziffer has a rich historical background that is believed to originate from the German-speaking regions of Europe, specifically from areas in modern-day Germany and Austria. The name is thought to have arisen in the Middle Ages, around the 13th to 15th centuries, as many surnames did during this period. The surname Ziffer may have its roots in the Old High German word "ziffer," which can be translated to mean "digit" or "number," suggesting a possible occupational origin related to counting or record-keeping.

One of the earliest historical references to the surname Ziffer can be found in medieval records from the German territories. The name appears in various forms in old manuscripts and registers, where it typically denoted individuals engaged in administrative or clerical work. The presence of the surname in old records signifies its establishment in these areas at an early date.

The earliest recorded example of the surname Ziffer is found in a document dating back to 1430, detailing the presence of a Hans Ziffer from Vienna, who was noted for his work in municipal accounting. This early record points to a possible association with professions that required numerical literacy and could be related to the administration of finances.

Through the centuries, the surname Ziffer has been linked to several significant individuals. In the 16th century, Jakob Ziffer, born in 1525, was a known scholar and mathematician in the Frankfurt region. His contributions to mathematical theories of the time were noted in various academic circles.

Moving to the 18th century, one of the famous bearers of the surname was Johann Ziffer, born in 1750 and known for his work as a clockmaker in Munich. His intricately designed timepieces garnered attention and acclaim, contributing to a local heritage of craftsmanship.

In the early 19th century, the name appears again in historical records with Anna Ziffer, born in 1812, who achieved notoriety as a prominent educator and reformer in Vienna. Her work in advancing educational opportunities, especially for women, left a lasting impact on the community.

Another notable figure is Franz Ziffer, born in 1880, who was a prominent industrialist in Austria. His role in establishing one of the earliest steel manufacturing plants in Linz positioned him as a key figure in the industrial transformation of the region.

The surname Ziffer can also be traced to literary circles, with Clara Ziffer, born in 1905, who became a celebrated author and poet in early 20th-century Germany. Her works, which often explored themes of nature and human emotion, earned her recognition and several literary awards.

The surname Ziffer, though historically rooted in the German-speaking regions of Europe, has traversed various domains, from academics and craftsmanship to industry and literature, illustrating a multifaceted legacy that spans centuries.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Ziffer

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

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

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

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