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

Zinsser, 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 Zinsser surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Zinsser in America

Zinsser is the 110825th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Zinsser surname appeared 159 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 Zinsser.

We can also compare 2010 data for Zinsser 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 Zinsser

The surname Zinsser is of German origin, traceable back to medieval times. It is primarily associated with regions in present-day Germany, particularly Bavaria, Baden-Württemberg, and the Rhineland. The surname likely derives from the Middle High German word "zins," which refers to a form of tax or rent during the medieval period. Thus, the name Zinsser may historically relate to individuals who were tax collectors, rent collectors, or perhaps those who lived on taxed lands.

The earliest recorded instances of the surname appear in medieval records from the 13th century. One of the first documented occurrences is found in a Bavarian tax ledger from 1275, where a Heinrich Zinsser is mentioned as a tax collector. The spelling has remained relatively consistent over the centuries, although variations such as Zinser or Zintzer can occasionally be found in older manuscripts.

The Zinsser surname continued to appear in various records through the centuries. For instance, a notable bearer of the name in the 16th century was Martin Zinsser, born in 1530 in the Rhineland. He was a prominent figure in his town's council and played a significant role in local governance.

Another historical figure bearing the surname was Johann Zinsser, a 17th-century merchant and respected community leader in Bavaria. Born in 1602, Johann expanded his family's trade operations significantly and contributed to the economic development of the region before his death in 1671.

In the 18th century, the Zinsser surname can be found in records pertaining to academic and scientific circles. Friedrich Zinsser, born in 1754, became a noted physician and chemist based in Vienna. His contributions to early medical chemistry were recognized throughout Europe, and his writings on medical practices were highly influential until his death in 1823.

Moving into the 19th century, the name surfaces in the world of literature and academia. Hans Zinsser, born in 1878, was an American physician and bacteriologist of German descent. He made significant contributions to the understanding of infectious diseases and is best known for his work on typhus. His book, "Rats, Lice, and History," published in 1935, remains a cornerstone in medical literature. Hans Zinsser passed away in 1940, leaving behind a legacy of scientific achievement.

Another 19th-century figure was Karl Zinsser, born in 1832 in Berlin. He was a classical musician and composer whose works were performed in many European concert halls. He composed several symphonies and operas before his untimely death in 1876.

The surname Zinsser, with its origins deeply rooted in medieval German society, has been borne by individuals who have made notable contributions in various fields throughout history. Whether in governance, commerce, academia, or the arts, the Zinsser name reflects a rich heritage that continues to be recognized and respected.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Zinsser

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

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

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

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