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

Zirbel, 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 Zirbel surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Zirbel in America

Zirbel is the 24090th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Zirbel surname appeared 1,045 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 Zirbel.

We can also compare 2010 data for Zirbel 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 Zirbel

The surname Zirbel is of German origin, primarily found in regions such as Bavaria and Baden-Württemberg. The name likely dates back to the medieval period, possibly emerging between the 12th and 14th centuries. The name is derived from an old German word "Zirbel" or "Zirbelbaum," referring to the Swiss pine, a tree native to the Alps and Carpathians. This etymology suggests a connection to a geographic location rich in these trees or occupations related to lumber or forestry.

Historical references to the name Zirbel can be found in local records from Bavaria during the late Middle Ages. The name appeared in various forms in manuscripts and civic records. One of the earliest recorded examples is Hans Zirbel, mentioned in the city of Augsburg in 1453 as a woodworker, highlighting the occupational link to the name. Another early reference includes Georg Zirbel, a noted resident of Munich around 1525, who was a prominent figure in the local guilds.

As time progressed, the Zirbel name was recorded in different spellings in various regional documents. In the 16th century, variations such as "Zyrel" or "Zybel" were noted in parish registers, particularly in rural areas of Swabia. Jobst Zirbel, born in Nördlingen in 1587, was a merchant whose business dealings were documented extensively in shipping logs and trade agreements.

Moving into the 17th and 18th centuries, the Zirbel family name began to appear more frequently in tax records, indicating the family's economic activities and societal contributions. Margaretha Zirbel, born in 1672 in Freiburg, became known for her charitable works and was mentioned in church documents regarding her significant donations.

In the 19th century, the surname continued to be prevalent in southern Germany. Johann Zirbel, born in Ulm in 1803, was a well-known craftsman and inventor, credited with several innovations in woodworking tools. His descendants carried the name into both urban and rural environments, with numerous records of the Zirbel family being involved in local industry and agriculture.

Throughout history, the Zirbel name signifies a blend of occupational and geographical significance, deeply rooted in the cultural and economic tapestry of early and modern Germany. The surname continues to be recognized for its historical associations with craftsmanship and the natural landscapes of Bavaria and surrounding regions.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Zirbel

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

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

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

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