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

Zirzow, 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 Zirzow surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Zirzow in America

Zirzow is the 91221st most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Zirzow surname appeared 202 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 Zirzow.

We can also compare 2010 data for Zirzow 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 Zirzow

The surname Zirzow likely originates from Germany, with a particular concentration in the northeastern region. Its roots can be traced back to the area of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern near the Baltic coast. The name derives from the Slavic place name Zirzow, which might have Slavic or Wendish origins, indicating an early Slavic settlement. This suggests the surname emerged during the medieval period, likely around the 12th to 14th centuries when Slavic influence was prominent in the region.

In medieval records, the place name Zirzow appears in various forms such as Zuerissowe and Zirossewe, reflecting the phonetic spellings and linguistic transitions of Middle High German and Slavic interactions. One of the earliest recorded mentions of the location and thus potentially the surname can be found in tax registries and manorial rolls of the 13th century. These documents, although not directly listing surnames, imply the longstanding establishment of Zirzow as a place, lending credence to the origin of the surname.

The earliest recorded example of the surname appears in church records from the late 14th century. There is a record of a Hans Zirzow in 1378, who was noted as a benefactor to a local abbey in what is now modern-day Germany. The name continued to persist among landowners and local officials throughout the centuries, often appearing in legal documents and land grants.

During the 16th century, Heinrich Zirzow was a notable figure, born in 1523 and active during the Reformation period. He was involved in local governance in the town of Stralsund, playing a role in the administrative transition under Protestant influence. His contributions to the town's civic development are well-documented in municipal records.

Another prominent individual bearing the surname was Maria Zirzow, who lived from 1698 to 1761. She was known for her charitable works in the community of Greifswald. Her legacy includes endowments to the local church and educational institutions, underscoring the family's continued involvement in civic and religious life over the centuries.

The surname appears again during the Napoleonic Wars with Karl Friedrich Zirzow, a military officer born in 1786. He served in the Prussian army and fought in several key battles against the French. His letters and military records provide a glimpse into the life of a 19th-century soldier with the Zirzow name.

In the early 20th century, another significant figure was Dr. Wilhelm Zirzow, born in 1878, who was a respected physician and medical researcher. His contributions to early 20th-century medicine, particularly in the field of public health, were influential in improving sanitary conditions and combating infectious diseases.

Throughout history, the surname Zirzow has maintained a strong presence in northeastern Germany. The name signifies deep historical roots in the region, reflecting both Slavic and Germanic heritages. The individuals bearing the name have played various roles in their communities, contributing to its rich historical tapestry.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Zirzow

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

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

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

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