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

Zipkin, 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 Zipkin surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Zipkin in America

Zipkin is the 68122nd most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Zipkin surname appeared 289 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 Zipkin.

We can also compare 2010 data for Zipkin 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 Zipkin

The surname Zipkin originated in Eastern Europe, specifically in what is now Belarus and Lithuania, around the late Middle Ages. The name likely emerged from the Jewish communities in these areas. Zipkin is a variation of the name Tsipkin, which is derived from the Yiddish word "tsip" meaning "bird." The suffix "kin" is a common Slavic diminutive, often used endearingly or to indicate smallness, making the full name roughly translate to "little bird."

Historical references to the surname Zipkin are sparse but significant. One of the earliest notable mentions is from the 17th century in Jewish communal records, where the name appeared in various shtetls (small Jewish towns) throughout Belarus and Lithuania. These records, often detailing taxes, births, and other community matters, listed families with the surname Tsipkin, later anglicized to Zipkin as Jews migrated to English-speaking countries.

One of the earliest recorded examples of the name is Mordechai Zipkin, a Jewish merchant from Minsk, mentioned in a community tax record dated to 1702. His family was part of the established Jewish community in the region, reflecting the surname's deep roots in Eastern European Jewish history. Another notable figure is David Zipkin, an 18th-century rabbi from Vilnius, who was mentioned in several rabbinical writings and community discussions of the time.

The name also appears in literary references. Herschel Zipkin, born around 1765, was a Jewish scribe whose work was noted in manuscripts preserved in local synagogues. He contributed to the chronicling of Jewish legal questions and community decisions, cementing his place in the historical timeline of the name.

As the Jewish diaspora spread due to persecution and economic opportunities, the Zipkin surname traveled with them. Samuel Zipkin, born in 1803, migrated from Lithuania to the United States in the mid-19th century. His journey was part of the larger wave of Eastern European Jews seeking refuge and better prospects. Samuel established himself in New York, becoming a prominent figure in the growing Jewish community there.

In the 20th century, the surname appears in the academic and artistic fields. Bernard Zipkin, born in 1907, was a notable mathematician whose contributions to probability theory were well-regarded in academic circles. His work at Princeton University and subsequent publications made the Zipkin surname recognized in scientific communities.

Anna Zipkin, born in 1921, was a remarkable writer and poet, known for her poignant works that delved into the Jewish immigrant experience. Her writings, which encapsulated the struggles and triumphs of her community, brought literary acclaim to the surname.

The surname Zipkin reflects a rich heritage, deeply intertwined with Jewish history and migration patterns through the centuries. Its presence in historical records, literary references, and academic achievements highlights the enduring legacy of the name.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Zipkin

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

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

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

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