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

Ziskind, 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 Ziskind surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Ziskind in America

Ziskind is the 70645th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Ziskind surname appeared 277 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 Ziskind.

We can also compare 2010 data for Ziskind 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 Ziskind

The surname Ziskind has its roots in Eastern Europe, with a significant presence among Ashkenazi Jewish communities. Originating in the German-speaking regions of Europe, the name can be traced back to the Middle Ages, particularly around the 15th century. The name is derived from the Yiddish words "zis," meaning "sweet," and "kind," meaning "child," which together translate to "sweet child." This reflects a common pattern in Ashkenazi surnames that often incorporated elements of affection or personal characteristics.

Historical references to the surname Ziskind appear in various Jewish communities across Europe, notably in areas such as Poland, Lithuania, and Germany. These areas were home to vibrant Jewish populations where Yiddish was commonly spoken and written. One of the earliest recorded instances of the surname Ziskind is in a 16th-century Polish tax record, indicating its use among Jewish families who were subject to special levies.

Records from the 17th century show the name Ziskind appearing in various forms, including Ciskind and Zyskind. It is found in community registers and synagogue records, illuminating the roles these individuals played in their Jewish congregations. For instance, Rabbi Yehoshua Heschel Ziskind, born in Krakow in 1650, was a respected Talmudic scholar and a prominent figure in his local Jewish community. His contributions to Jewish teachings were well-regarded, and his works are still referenced in religious studies.

The name Ziskind also appears in the context of Jewish migration. With the rise of anti-Semitic policies in Eastern Europe during the late 19th and early 20th centuries, many Jewish families emigrated to the United States and other countries. Among them was Isaac Ziskind, who arrived in America in 1885 and became a noted figure in the Jewish publishing world. He established a Yiddish newspaper that provided news and literature to the Jewish immigrant population in New York City.

Another notable bearer of the name was Samuel Ziskind, a physician born in Vilnius in 1888 who contributed significantly to medical research. He moved to the United States in the early 20th century and published numerous papers on public health and infectious diseases. His work had a lasting impact on the field of epidemiology.

In the realm of academia, Professor Yakov Ziskind, born in 1914 in Kyiv, made significant contributions to mathematics and computer science. His research in the mid-20th century laid the groundwork for several advancements in computational theory. Through his teaching and publications, he influenced a generation of mathematicians and computer scientists.

The artistic landscape also features a prominent Ziskind, with David Ziskind, an artist and illustrator born in Odessa in 1902, known for his depictions of Jewish life and folklore. His works were exhibited in various European galleries before his emigration to Israel, where he continued to influence the art world until his death in 1970.

Collectively, the Ziskind surname encapsulates a rich history of cultural, intellectual, and social contributions across different fields and geographies. From religious scholarship to scientific innovation and artistic expression, individuals bearing this name have made notable impacts throughout history.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Ziskind

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

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

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

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