Ziskin last name popularity, history, and meaning

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

Meaning of Ziskin

A Jewish (Yiddish) surname derived from the word "zis" meaning sweet.

Ziskin, 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 Ziskin surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Ziskin in America

Ziskin is the 73911th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Ziskin surname appeared 262 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 Ziskin.

We can also compare 2010 data for Ziskin 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.

2010 2000 Change (%)
Rank 73911 72905 1.37%
Count 262 248 5.49%
Proportion per 100k 0.09 0.09 0.00%

The history of the last name Ziskin

The surname Ziskin likely originates from Eastern Europe, particularly from regions that were part of the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth, which existed from 1569 to 1795. The name is of Ashkenazi Jewish origin and has ties to several Slavic languages. The components of the name may come from the Yiddish word "zis," meaning "sweet," or its Slavic equivalent, reflecting either an endearing nickname or a characteristic of the individual referred to. Alternatively, it could possibly derive from toponyms in the regions populated by Ashkenazi Jews, though this is less certain.

One of the earliest references to the surname can be traced back to the Jewish communities in Poland. Old records and manuscripts from the 18th and 19th centuries indicate the presence of families with this name, although concrete dates are often difficult to pinpoint due to various spelling variations and regional dialects. Spelling variations included Ziskind or Zyskyn, hinting at transitions in regional language and pronunciation.

The earliest recorded example of the name in its consistent spelling appears in the late 19th century. A notable individual bearing the name from this period is Louis Ziskin, born in 1864, who migrated to the United States from Eastern Europe and became noted within the Jewish community in New York. By the early 20th century, the name had been established in American records, including immigration documents and census data of the time, showing its enduring presence.

Historical references to the name can also be found in various Jewish registers and community records across Eastern Europe. The surname is mentioned in connection with the Pale of Settlement, an area designated by Imperial Russia where Jews were allowed to reside. Individuals such as Abraham Ziskin, recorded in these registers around 1860, were known for their roles within their communities, whether in trade or religious affairs.

In modern history, notable figures with the surname Ziskin include Joel Ziskin, an accomplished film producer in the United States, born in 1950. His contributions to the entertainment industry garnered significant recognition. Additionally, Laura Ziskin, born in 1950 and passing in 2011, was a prominent film producer known for her work on the Spider-Man series and her advocacy in cancer research.

The surname also appears in academic circles with figures such as Alexander Ziskin, born in 1924, who contributed to sociology and Jewish studies. Such individuals underscore the diverse contributions of people with this surname across various fields, maintaining its legacy through historical records and biographical achievements.

The detailed history of the surname Ziskin, from its origins in Eastern Europe to its modern-day bearers, highlights its cultural and linguistic roots. Through historical references and notable individuals, the name has left its mark across continents and generations, blending deep heritage with contemporary achievements.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Ziskin

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

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 Ziskin was:

Race/Ethnicity Percentage Total Occurrences
Non-Hispanic White Only 93.51% 245
Non-Hispanic Black Only (S)% (S)
Non-Hispanic Asian and Pacific Islander Only 1.91% 5
Non-Hispanic American Indian and Alaskan Native 0.00% 0
Non-Hispanic of Two or More Races (S)% (S)
Hispanic Origin 3.82% 10

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 Ziskin has changed in the 10 years between the two census surveys.

2010 2000 Change (%)
White 93.51% 97.18% -3.85%
Black (S)% (S)% (S)%
Asian and Pacific Islander 1.91% (S)% (S)%
American Indian and Alaskan Native 0.00% (S)% (S)%
Two or More Races (S)% 0.00% (S)%
Hispanic 3.82% (S)% (S)%

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

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

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"Ziskin last name popularity, history, and meaning". NameCensus.com. Accessed on December 22, 2024. http://namecensus.com/last-names/ziskin-surname-popularity/.

"Ziskin last name popularity, history, and meaning". NameCensus.com, http://namecensus.com/last-names/ziskin-surname-popularity/. Accessed 22 December, 2024

Ziskin last name popularity, history, and meaning. NameCensus.com. Retrieved from http://namecensus.com/last-names/ziskin-surname-popularity/.

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