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

Zitzelberger, 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 Zitzelberger surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Zitzelberger in America

Zitzelberger is the 89403rd most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Zitzelberger surname appeared 207 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 Zitzelberger.

We can also compare 2010 data for Zitzelberger 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 Zitzelberger

The surname Zitzelberger finds its origins in the German-speaking regions of Central Europe. The name first emerged during the medieval period, approximately in the 13th or 14th century. It is most commonly associated with regions that are now part of Austria and southern Germany, particularly Bavaria and Upper Austria.

The name Zitzelberger is a compound surname derived from several Old High German words. The first part of the surname, "Zitzel," is believed to be derived from a diminutive form of the word "zeiz," which means a small bird or titmouse. This might indicate that the original bearers of the name were known for their association with these birds, perhaps as bird catchers or traders. The second part, "berger," comes from the Old High German "berg," meaning "mountain." Thus, Zitzelberger can be translated to mean "little bird on the mountain" or "mountain of little birds," possibly indicating someone who lived near a mountainous area known for small birds.

Historical references to the surname can be found in various medieval documents and registers. The earliest recorded example is from a 14th-century Bavarian tax register, which lists a Hans Zitzelberger as a landowner in the region of Oberammergau in 1368. Another early example includes a reference to a Heinrich Zitzelberger, mentioned in a 1402 feudal record as a knight in service to the Duke of Bavaria.

By the 16th century, the name Zitzelberger had spread to other parts of Germany and Austria. A historical reference from 1525 includes a Georg Zitzelberger, who was notable for his participation in the German Peasants' War, fighting under the banner of the Swabian League. Subsequently, in the 17th century, a Maria Zitzelberger is documented as a renowned herbalist and midwife in Salzburg, noted for her contributions to local medical practices from 1610 to 1665.

In the late 18th century, the surname appears in ecclesiastical records. Franz Josef Zitzelberger, born in 1754, is recorded as a monk who made significant architectural contributions to the Abbey of Melk, a Benedictine abbey in Austria, before his death in 1812. Another important figure, Ludwig Zitzelberger, born in 1820 and passing in 1887, was an influential composer and conductor in Vienna, known for his operatic works and leadership of various philharmonic societies.

The surname Zitzelberger is relatively rare, and its unique construction has allowed it to persist relatively unchanged through the centuries. The historical references and notable individuals bearing this surname reflect the diverse and often pivotal roles they held in their communities, from nobility and warriors to healthcare providers and artists.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Zitzelberger

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

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

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

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