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

Zimpfer, 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 Zimpfer surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Zimpfer in America

Zimpfer is the 49177th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Zimpfer surname appeared 428 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 Zimpfer.

We can also compare 2010 data for Zimpfer 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 Zimpfer

The surname Zimpfer originates from the German-speaking regions of Europe, particularly within the territories that comprise modern-day Germany and Austria. The name likely arose during the Medieval period, which saw the development of hereditary surnames. In this era, surnames were often derived from occupations, locations, physical characteristics, or patronymics.

The name Zimpfer is believed to derive from a Middle High German term, which was used to describe someone who was a maker or handler of timber or wooden structures. Linguistically, it could stem from the Middle High German word zimber, meaning "timber" or "wood.” The addition of the suffix "-fer" generally indicated an agent or someone who was associated with a particular trade or activity.

One of the earliest documented occurrences of the surname Zimpfer dates back to the 13th century. In a 1253 manuscript from the region of Swabia, a man named Heinrich Zimpfer is mentioned as a master carpenter who contributed to the construction of a significant cathedral. This record is one of the oldest attestations of the name and highlights its likely connection to professions involving wood or construction.

Another early instance of the name can be found in Bavaria. An Ulrich Zimpfer is listed in town records from Nuremberg in 1386. His entry indicates he was a respected guild member, which further supports the idea that the name originated from occupational roots linked to carpentry or woodworking professions.

During the Renaissance period, the name Zimpfer appeared in various records across the Holy Roman Empire. In a 1475 register from Vienna, Hans Zimpfer is noted as a merchant who traded in wooden goods and furniture. Around this time, Europe was experiencing a burgeoning market for crafted goods, and surnames like Zimpfer became synonymous with reliable artisans.

An interesting historical reference includes Barbara Zimpfer, born in 1621, who was a notable midwife in Salzburg. While her profession was unrelated to timber, her familial lineage suggests that the Zimpfer name had by then diversified beyond its original occupational confines.

Johann Georg Zimpfer, born in 1704, was a prominent clockmaker in the Black Forest region of Germany. This area, famously known for its intricate and high-quality clocks, indicates how the Zimpfer name evolved and adapted to new vocational areas while retaining its connection to craftsmanship and skilled trades.

Through these documented instances, it is clear that the surname Zimpfer has deep historical roots in the German-speaking regions of Europe. The name's evolution mirrors the economic and social developments of the areas it originated from, transitioning from its early associations with timber and woodwork to a broader representation across various skilled trades. The endurance of the Zimpfer name through the centuries underscores its significant cultural and historical relevance.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Zimpfer

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

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

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

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