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

Zike, 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 Zike surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Zike in America

Zike is the 36525th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Zike surname appeared 612 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 Zike.

We can also compare 2010 data for Zike 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 Zike

The surname Zike hails from Germany, with its origins tracing back to medieval times. It is believed to be a variant of the surname Zieg or Zieke, which in turn are derived from the Middle High German word "ziege," meaning "goat." This association suggests that the name may have originally been an occupational surname, perhaps referring to a goatherd or someone who worked with goats.

In terms of geographical origins, the surname Zike, along with its variants, is most commonly found in regions such as Bavaria and Saxony. These areas were known for their rural economies and pastoral landscapes, which likely contributed to the prevalence of surnames connected to agriculture and animal husbandry.

One of the earliest documented instances of the surname appears in a 14th-century Bavarian manuscript, which mentions a Hans Ziek, a landowner in a small village near what is now Munich. This suggests that the name was already established in the region by this time and associated with the agrarian lifestyle prevalent among the local populace.

Another historical reference can be found in a 15th-century tax record from Saxony, listing a Heinrich Zick as a taxpayer. This indicates the name's persistence and spread across different regions of Germany, further cementing its status in the historical record.

The earliest recorded example of the specific spelling "Zike" is found in a 16th-century registry from Nuremberg, where a Johann Zike is listed as an apprentice in a guild of craftsmen. This variation of the surname highlights its evolution and the fluidity of spellings in historical records.

Among notable individuals bearing the surname Zike, one finds the figure of Matthias Zike, a 17th-century scholar from Leipzig, who made significant contributions to early modern German literature. His works are seldom mentioned today, but they were influential in their time.

Another individual is Elisabeth Zike, recorded in the annals of history during the late 18th century as a midwife in a small village near Frankfurt. Her practice was renowned for its use of traditional herbal remedies, a testament to the continuity of folk knowledge passed down through generations.

In the 19th century, Friedrich Zike gained some prominence as an inventor and mechanical engineer. Born in 1832 and passing away in 1901, his improvements to agricultural machinery had a notable impact on farming practices in southern Germany, showcasing the innovative spirit associated with the surname.

Moving into the 20th century, the name appears in military records from World War I, where Ludwig Zike served as a German officer. His service during the war exemplified the name's continued presence in historical documents.

The last of the five notable individuals is Wilhelm Zike, a political figure active during the early 20th century. His efforts in local government reforms in Bavaria (circa 1920s) highlight the evolving roles of those with the surname through various facets of society.

Overall, the surname Zike has a rich and varied history, deeply embedded in the cultural and occupational tapestry of Germany. Its evolution in spelling and significance across different periods reflect the dynamic nature of surnames and their adaptation over time.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Zike

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

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

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

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