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

Zimmer, 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 Zimmer surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Zimmer in America

Zimmer is the 2111th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Zimmer surname appeared 17,146 times in the 2010 census and if you were to sample 100,000 people in the United States, approximately 6 people would have the surname Zimmer.

We can also compare 2010 data for Zimmer 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 Zimmer

The surname Zimmer has its roots in the German language and is believed to have originated in the regions of Germany, Switzerland, and Austria. It is derived from the German word "Zimmermann," which means "carpenter" or "woodworker." This suggests that the name was likely given to those who worked as carpenters or woodworkers during the Middle Ages.

The earliest recorded instances of the name Zimmer can be traced back to the 13th century in various German-speaking regions. In medieval times, surnames were often derived from occupations, and the name Zimmer was no exception. It was commonly used to identify individuals involved in the construction and woodworking trades.

One of the earliest known references to the name Zimmer can be found in the Nuremberg Chronicle, a German chronicle published in 1493. This historical document mentions a Hans Zimmer, a prominent figure in the city of Nuremberg during the 15th century.

Another notable historical figure with the surname Zimmer was Johann Georg Zimmermann (1728-1795), a Swiss philosopher and writer. He was best known for his work "On National Pride," which explored themes of patriotism and national identity. His influential writings contributed to the intellectual discourse of his time.

In the 16th century, a Johann Zimmer (1518-1553) was a renowned composer and organist from Germany. He composed several works for the organ and is considered one of the important figures in the development of early Protestant church music.

The name Zimmer has also been associated with place names in various regions of Germany and Switzerland. For instance, the town of Zimmerwald in the canton of Bern, Switzerland, is believed to have derived its name from the German word "Zimmer," referring to the construction of houses or buildings in the area.

Other notable individuals with the surname Zimmer include Hans Zimmer (born 1957), a German film composer and record producer best known for his work on acclaimed movies such as "Inception," "Interstellar," and "Dunkirk." Additionally, there is Heiner Zimmer (born 1948), a German theoretical physicist and mathematician who made significant contributions to the field of quantum mechanics.

Throughout history, the surname Zimmer has been associated with various occupations, artistic pursuits, and scholarly endeavors. While its origins can be traced back to the woodworking and construction trades, the name has evolved to encompass a diverse range of individuals and achievements.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Zimmer

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

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

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

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