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

Zimmerly, 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 Zimmerly surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Zimmerly in America

Zimmerly is the 29093rd most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Zimmerly surname appeared 815 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 Zimmerly.

We can also compare 2010 data for Zimmerly 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 Zimmerly

The surname Zimmerly originates from the German-speaking regions of Europe, specifically Switzerland, Germany, and Austria. The earliest forms of the surname can be traced back to the Middle Ages, around the 14th and 15th centuries. The name derives from the Middle High German word "zimber" or "zimmer," which means "timber" or "wood," combined with the diminutive suffix "-li," indicating "small" or "little." Hence, Zimmerly likely initially referred to someone who worked with wood, such as a carpenter, or someone who lived in a wooden house.

One of the oldest references to the Zimmerly surname appears in Swiss records in the 15th century. In particular, historical documents from the Canton of Bern mention a Johann Zimmerli, a notable carpenter, in 1478. This indicates that the name was well-established in the region by this period. Similar names like Zimmer, Zimmermann, and Zimmerli became common in the region, further solidifying the name’s association with woodwork and craftsmanship.

The name Zimmerly also appears in historical manuscripts from the German-speaking regions of Alsace. In the early 16th century, a Hans Zimmerly from Strasbourg is listed in town records as a master builder. His contributions to the town’s architectural developments are well-documented, showcasing the presence and influence of the Zimmerly surname beyond Switzerland.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the surname in written English history is attributed to Hans Zimmerli, born in 1696 in the canton of Aargau, Switzerland. He emigrated to Pennsylvania in 1719, where his name was anglicized to Zimmerly. His descendants played significant roles in the local community, from farming to involvement in local governance.

The surname also survived through military records, with one notable individual being Heinrich Zimmerly (born in 1768) who served in the Napoleonic Wars. His military service is well-documented, and he became a prominent figure known for his exemplary dedication and bravery. Post-war records indicate that he returned to his hometown in Bern, where he lived until his death in 1839.

Another significant person with the Zimmerly surname is Johann Jakob Zimmerly, an influential Swiss reformer born in 1782. He was actively involved in the religious and educational reforms in the 19th century. His efforts in promoting educational advancements and supporting the construction of schools in Zurich are well-recorded in historical texts.

By the early 19th century, the surname Zimmerly had firmly established itself across Europe and the Americas. In this period, records in the United States show individuals like Samuel Zimmerly, an agricultural pioneer who contributed to the development of farming techniques in Ohio in the early 1820s. Born in 1798, Samuel Zimmerly’s impact is noted in the agricultural journals of his time, and his innovations are still recognized within the local farming community.

Overall, the Zimmerly surname has a rich history rooted in German-speaking Europe, with significant references spanning from Switzerland, Germany, and Alsace to the United States. Generations of Zimmerlys have made their mark in various fields, contributing to carpentry, architecture, military service, religious reform, and agricultural development. Each instance underscores the enduring legacy and historical significance of the name Zimmerly.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Zimmerly

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

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

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

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