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

Zinsmeister, 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 Zinsmeister surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Zinsmeister in America

Zinsmeister is the 47521st most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Zinsmeister surname appeared 446 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 Zinsmeister.

We can also compare 2010 data for Zinsmeister 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 Zinsmeister

The surname Zinsmeister has its origins in Germany, specifically within the regions of Bavaria and Swabia, dating back to the medieval period, around the 13th or 14th centuries. The name is believed to have occupational roots, derived from the German words “zins” meaning “tax” or “rent” and “meister” meaning “master” or “chief.” Together, Zinsmeister would denote an individual who was a tax collector or overseer of rents, roles of substantial importance in feudal society.

In historical contexts, the surname Zinsmeister can be connected to the functionaries of local lords or the church, institutions that were often responsible for the collection of taxes. This occupation was critical in maintaining economic stability and funding for the governing bodies. Early records from various German principalities and duchies mention individuals bearing this name, often in the context of legal or financial documents indicating their occupation and role in the local administration.

One of the earliest known references to the surname Zinsmeister appears in a Bavarian manuscript dated 1348, which references a Heinrich Zinsmeister. These early documents provide insight into the role and societal standing of those who bore the surname. The name’s occupational origin likely contributed to its spread and recognition across other German-speaking regions.

Another significant historical figure is Jacob Zinsmeister, recorded in Swabia in the early 15th century. Jacob's role as a high-ranking customs officer underscores the continued prominence of the name within the regions' administrative circles. Historical records from 1421 detail his responsibilities and interactions with various local nobility, reflecting the trust placed in him by those in power.

Johann Zinsmeister, born in 1590 and active till his death in 1654, was known for his work as a municipal treasurer in the city of Augsburg. His meticulous records and financial oversight highlight the enduring association of the surname with fiscal duties. Documents from Augsburg’s city archives detail his contributions to the municipal council, depicting him as a respected and influential figure.

In the 18th century, records from the Palatinate region of Germany mention Friedrich Zinsmeister, born in 1752 and deceased in 1810, who served as a tax assessor. His detailed accounts and public service left an essential legacy in the form of town records that survive to this day, giving insight into the socio-economic landscape of the time.

The 19th century saw the migration of many Germans to North America, and among them was Wilhelm Zinsmeister, who arrived in Pennsylvania in 1847. Born in 1824, Wilhelm continued the family tradition of administrative work and became a notable figure in local Pennsylvania politics, serving in various public offices until his death in 1889. This transatlantic move marked the beginning of the surname's presence in the United States.

Overall, the surname Zinsmeister embodies a rich legacy of administrative and fiscal responsibilities, with historical records attesting to the contributions of those who bore it across centuries in both Europe and America.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Zinsmeister

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

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

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

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