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

Zimmerli, 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 Zimmerli surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Zimmerli in America

Zimmerli is the 67126th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Zimmerli surname appeared 294 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 Zimmerli.

We can also compare 2010 data for Zimmerli 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 Zimmerli

The surname Zimmerli has its origins in Switzerland, primarily concentrated in the German-speaking regions. The name dates back to at least the medieval period, with its roots in Old High German. It is derived from the word "zimber," which means "timber" or "wood." This suggests that the name was occupational, originally referring to someone who worked with wood or lived near a significant timber resource.

One of the earliest references to the Zimmerli name in historical records comes from the 14th century. Manuscripts from the canton of Zurich mention individuals with similar surnames, such as Zimmerman and Zimmermann, indicating the prevalence of wood-related trades in these areas. These records include guild lists and tax registries where craftsmen and tradespeople were documented.

In Switzerland, the name Zimmerli is most commonly associated with the canton of Aargau. The first recorded instance of the name Zimmerli in Aargau dates back to the early 1500s. An example is Hans Zimmerli, who was mentioned in tax records in 1512. This indicates that the family had established itself in the region quite early and was part of the local economy and social fabric.

Throughout history, the Zimmerli name has appeared in various forms depending on regional dialects and spellings. Some older variants include Zimberli and Zimerle. These variations can be traced through parish records and legal documents of the time, revealing a consistency in the occupational nature of the name.

Among the notable individuals bearing the surname Zimmerli is Jakob Zimmerli (1832-1916), a Swiss politician who played a significant role in the development of the canton of Aargau. Another important figure is the artist Gustav Zimmerli (1872-1955), known for his contributions to Swiss painting in the early 20th century. The name also appears in academic circles, with individuals like Eduard Zimmerli (1893-1976), a Swiss historian who made significant contributions to the study of medieval Swiss history.

The Zimmerli name also made its way beyond Switzerland, with emigrants settling in various parts of Europe and America. One such example is Johann Jakob Zimmerli, who emigrated to the United States in the mid-19th century, contributing to the spread of the surname in the New World.

The rich history of the Zimmerli surname is evident in its longstanding presence in Swiss records and its association with the timber industry. It provides a clear example of how surnames can offer insights into the occupational and geographic origins of a family. Through the centuries, the name has maintained a consistent presence, marking the Zimmerli family as an integral part of Swiss history and heritage.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Zimmerli

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

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

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

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