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

Zilles, 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 Zilles surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Zilles in America

Zilles is the 63698th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Zilles surname appeared 313 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 Zilles.

We can also compare 2010 data for Zilles 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 Zilles

The surname Zilles has its origins in the German-speaking regions of Europe, particularly in Germany. The earliest known records of the surname date back to the medieval period, approximately around the 13th to 14th centuries. The name is believed to have originated in the Rhineland, a historically significant area in western Germany known for its vineyards and castles.

Etymologically, Zilles is derived from the Middle High German word "ziel," which translates to "goal" or "aim," and could have originally been used to denote a person who was an archer or one who set goals or boundaries, perhaps in a land-surveying capacity. Alternative theories suggest that it could also stem from a diminutive form of a given name similar to Gilles or Silas.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the surname appears in municipal records from Cologne in the early 1400s, where a family by the name of Zilles was documented as landowners and merchants. Another historical reference can be traced to the town of Koblenz, where Heinrich Zilles was noted as a prominent town official in 1487.

In the 16th century, the surname Zilles becomes more evident in historical texts and documents. For example, Hans Zilles, born in 1534, was a respected artisan in the city of Mainz. His work as a master carpenter is noted in several guild records from the period, highlighting the spread and professional diversity of the family.

By the 18th century, members of the Zilles family had dispersed to other regions, including the Alsace region which was often contested between France and Germany. Johann Friedrich Zilles, born in 1751, was a well-known figure in this area. He contributed significantly to local agricultural practices and innovations, as detailed in regional agricultural journals of the time.

Moving into the 19th century, Heinrich Zilles, born in 1843 and died in 1912, gained fame as a noted banker and philanthropist in Berlin. His role in the establishment of several charitable institutions is well documented in Berlin's civic records.

Later, the Zilles surname featured prominently in the arts with Heinrich Zille, born in 1858 and died in 1929, who became a celebrated cartoonist and illustrator. He documented Berlin's working-class life with a unique blend of humor and empathy, and his works remain a significant part of German cultural heritage.

Throughout history, the surname Zilles has evolved but continues to reflect the lineage of Germanic roots. Each notable bearer of the surname has contributed to its legacy through various professions and regions, showcasing the diverse paths the family name has taken over the centuries.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Zilles

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

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

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

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