Zimbler last name popularity, history, and meaning

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

Meaning of Zimbler

Possibly derived from the German word zimmer meaning "room" or "chamber", suggesting a connection to builders or carpenters.

Zimbler, 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 Zimbler surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Zimbler in America

Zimbler is the 142108th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Zimbler surname appeared 117 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 Zimbler.

We can also compare 2010 data for Zimbler 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.

2010 2000 Change (%)
Rank 142108 118236 18.34%
Count 117 136 -15.02%
Proportion per 100k 0.04 0.05 -22.22%

The history of the last name Zimbler

The surname Zimbler is believed to have its origins in Central Europe, particularly in regions that are now part of modern-day Germany and Austria. The earliest known occurrences of the surname date back to the late Middle Ages, around the 14th to 15th centuries. Derived from an occupational background, the name Zimbler is thought to be associated with the trade or profession of a "zimber," which is an old German word variant for timber or wood—hinting at a possible connection to woodworking or forestry.

In early records, various spellings such as Zimbel, Zimbeler, and Zimbeler appeared, reflecting the linguistic variations and regional dialects of the time. One of the earliest recorded instances of the surname can be found in German church records from the 15th century, where a Hans Zimbler is mentioned in a register from Munich dated 1473. These early references indicate that the name was relatively localized in the Bavarian region.

Throughout the 16th and 17th centuries, the name Zimbler appeared in a number of historical documents, including tax records and guild memberships, which often listed occupations. In 1592, for example, a Johann Zimbler is recorded as a master carpenter in the city of Augsburg. Augsburg was a prominent city in the Holy Roman Empire, and its records offer valuable glimpses into the lives of individuals carrying the Zimbler surname.

One notable historical figure bearing the surname is Friedrich Zimbler, born in 1756 in Vienna, Austria. He was a renowned craftsman and guild member who contributed significantly to the architectural woodwork of several iconic Viennese buildings. Friedrich is particularly known for his intricate designs in the Baroque and Rococo styles, and he passed away in 1823.

The surname Zimbler also appears in Jewish communities of Central Europe, with notable bearers such as Rabbi Samuel Zimbler, born in 1804 in Prague. Rabbi Samuel was well-respected for his scholarly contributions, particularly in the realm of Talmudic studies. His works were widely circulated and influenced Jewish thought in the 19th century. He died in 1870, leaving behind a rich legacy of religious literature.

In more recent historical context, Otto Zimbler, born in 1882, was an influential figure in early 20th-century Vienna. Otto was a composer and conductor, contributing significantly to the cultural landscape before emigrating to the United States in the 1930s due to rising political tensions in Europe. His musical pieces received considerable recognition, and he continued his work in New York until his death in 1961.

Lastly, a lesser-known but historically relevant individual is Clara Zimbler, born in 1901 in Frankfurt. Clara was a pioneering female chemist who made significant contributions to polymer research in the mid-20th century. Her work laid the foundation for many modern materials used in various industries today. Clara Zimbler's notable career spanned several decades until her death in 1974.

The surname Zimbler, with its rich historical background and association with various trades, professions, and notable individuals, reflects a fascinating journey through European history. Its evolution through different spellings and regions highlights the dynamic nature of surnames and their deep-rooted connections to the cultural and occupational identities of their bearers.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Zimbler

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

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 Zimbler was:

Race/Ethnicity Percentage Total Occurrences
Non-Hispanic White Only 94.87% 111
Non-Hispanic Black Only 0.00% 0
Non-Hispanic Asian and Pacific Islander Only (S)% (S)
Non-Hispanic American Indian and Alaskan Native 0.00% 0
Non-Hispanic of Two or More Races (S)% (S)
Hispanic Origin (S)% (S)

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 Zimbler has changed in the 10 years between the two census surveys.

2010 2000 Change (%)
White 94.87% 97.79% -3.03%
Black 0.00% 0.00% 0.00%
Asian and Pacific Islander (S)% 0.00% (S)%
American Indian and Alaskan Native 0.00% 0.00% 0.00%
Two or More Races (S)% (S)% (S)%
Hispanic (S)% (S)% (S)%

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

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

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"Zimbler last name popularity, history, and meaning". NameCensus.com. Accessed on June 30, 2025. http://namecensus.com/last-names/zimbler-surname-popularity/.

"Zimbler last name popularity, history, and meaning". NameCensus.com, http://namecensus.com/last-names/zimbler-surname-popularity/. Accessed 30 June, 2025

Zimbler last name popularity, history, and meaning. NameCensus.com. Retrieved from http://namecensus.com/last-names/zimbler-surname-popularity/.

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