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

Zisk, 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 Zisk surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Zisk in America

Zisk is the 58876th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Zisk surname appeared 344 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 Zisk.

We can also compare 2010 data for Zisk 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 Zisk

The surname Zisk finds its origins in Central Europe, particularly within regions that are now modern-day Germany, Poland, and the Czech Republic. The name has roots that can be traced back to the medieval period, specifically around the 12th to 14th centuries. This period saw significant migrations and the establishment of settlements, during which surnames were being formalized for the purposes of administration and taxation.

Zisk is believed to be derived from the Middle High German word "zisken," which means "to sip" or "to take a small drink." The name could have been occupational, referring to a tavern keeper or a person who managed drinking establishments. Additionally, it could have been a nickname for someone known to enjoy their drink, reflecting a defining personal characteristic.

One of the earliest recorded mentions of the surname Zisk appears in medieval German manuscripts from the 14th century. A notable historical reference includes a certain Heinrich Zisk appearing in city council records in the town of Nuremberg in 1365. These records provide insight into the civic activities and the roles individuals played in medieval society.

During the 15th century, the surname appears in Bohemian records, with Jan Zisk of Prague being recorded as a master craftsman in 1492. Jan Zisk's documentation provides valuable insight into the movement and professional roles of individuals bearing this surname.

The surname further evolved and was recorded in various forms such as Ziske and Sisk. An early 16th-century land deed mentions a Peter Zisk in the region of Silesia, emphasizing the spread of the name across Central Europe. The deed, dating to 1530, suggests that the family was involved in agriculture and land management.

Notable bearers of the surname include Martin Zisk, a renowned printer in Leipzig in the mid-17th century. Martin’s publications contributed to the spread of knowledge and literature during the Enlightenment period, marking his significance in the intellectual history of Europe.

In the 18th century, a prominent Jewish family in Krakow bore the surname Zisk, with Yehuda Zisk (born 1735, died 1804) being a notable rabbi and scholar. Yehuda's contributions to Jewish theological discussions were widely respected, highlighting the surname within religious intellectual circles.

By the 19th century, the surname Zisk had made its way to the Americas. Samuel Zisk (born 1845, died 1892) immigrated to the United States, where he became a successful merchant in New York City. His integration into American society marked the surname's presence in the New World and its association with the entrepreneurial spirit of the times.

The surname Zisk has clearly traversed various regions and social contexts, adapting along the way and staying relevant through centuries of European history.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Zisk

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

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

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

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