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

Zirbes, 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 Zirbes surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Zirbes in America

Zirbes is the 45105th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Zirbes surname appeared 475 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 Zirbes.

We can also compare 2010 data for Zirbes 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 Zirbes

The surname Zirbes has its origin in the regions of Central Europe, specifically within the boundaries of present-day Germany. The earliest records indicate that the name appeared during the early medieval period, around the 12th to 13th centuries, in areas prominent for Germanic tribes and subsequent feudal settlements. The name is believed to have originated from several old Germanic words, particularly those related to geographical features or familial occupations.

Deriving possibly from the Middle High German word "zurp," meaning "surge" or "flow," the name Zirbes could have been used to describe families living near flowing waters or those engaged in professions related to water sources. Alternatively, it might be related to the old German word "Zirbe," meaning a type of pine tree (Swiss pine), indicating a familial connection to forestry or woodcraft.

One of the earliest references to the name can be found in a 14th-century feudal register in the region of Swabia (modern-day Baden-Württemberg). The Zirbes family was mentioned in several property transactions and tax registers, indicating a status of minor nobility or respected burghers.

A notable historical figure with the surname is Georg Zirbes, a 16th-century merchant born in Augsburg in 1542. Georg Zirbes was well known for his involvement in the early trading routes between Germany and Northern Italy, contributing significantly to the economic exchanges of the Renaissance period. His extensive travel journals also serve as a valuable historical record of that era.

Another distinguished individual is Karl Zirbes, a clergyman born in Trier in 1697 who played a pivotal role in the local religious community. Karl's chronicles of church events and his advocacy for educational reforms within the clergy are still referenced in ecclesiastical historical studies.

In the 19th century, Franz Zirbes emerged as an influential figure in the field of natural sciences. Born in 1823 in Stuttgart, Franz Zirbes conducted pioneering research in botany, with several plant species named after him in recognition of his contributions to the science. His works were widely published in botanical journals across Europe.

A prominent military personality bearing the surname is Alexander Zirbes, born in 1878 in Munich. He served with distinction in the Bavarian Army during the early 20th century, particularly in the First World War, where he earned several accolades for his strategic acumen and leadership.

Lastly, Elisabeth Zirbes, an artist born in Dresden in 1896, gained fame for her expressionist paintings. Elisabeth's works have been exhibited in numerous galleries across Europe, capturing the societal changes and emotional turmoil of the early 20th century with her unique artistic style.

The surname Zirbes encapsulates a diverse history of individuals who contributed to various fields such as commerce, religion, science, military, and art, all tracing their lineage back to the root meanings and origins of the name in medieval Germany.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Zirbes

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

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

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

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