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

Zobel, 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 Zobel surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Zobel in America

Zobel is the 17958th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Zobel surname appeared 1,556 times in the 2010 census and if you were to sample 100,000 people in the United States, approximately 1 people would have the surname Zobel.

We can also compare 2010 data for Zobel 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 Zobel

The surname Zobel originates from Germany and is believed to have its roots in the medieval period. The name Zobel is thought to be a variant of the German word "Zobel," which means "sable," a type of marten known for its valuable fur. This would suggest that the name may have originally been used as an occupational surname, potentially referring to someone who traded in or hunted sables.

The Zobel surname is primarily found in the regions of Bavaria and Prussia in Germany, with early references dating back to the 13th and 14th centuries. Historical records indicate the presence of the surname in documents from these areas, reflecting the name's longstanding cultural and societal presence. Medieval German manuscripts and local records from the period often mention the name in conjunction with land or trade activities.

One of the earliest recorded examples of the surname is found in the Bavarian town of Nuremberg. In 1370, a document from Nuremberg mentions a Heinrich Zobel as a local merchant. This suggests that the name was well-established in the region by the late 14th century. Another early instance involves a Casspar Zobel, born around 1455, who was mentioned in Prussian trade documents.

The name Zobel also appears in relation to nobility and military service. Karl von Zobel, a notable figure born in 1825 and died in 1892, was an Austrian general who served in the Austro-Prussian War. His contributions to military strategies and reforms are well-documented in historical records.

Another famous bearer of the surname was Johann Carl Zobel, an 18th-century German composer and musician born in 1724. He gained recognition for his contributions to the classical music scene in Germany and Austria, reflecting the cultural impact of individuals with this surname.

In the field of science, Albert Zobel, born in 1878, made significant contributions to early 20th-century physics and chemistry. His research and academic publications helped advance understanding in his field and his surname is often cited in historical scientific literature.

Throughout history, the Zobel surname has been associated with a variety of professions and notable contributions. Each of these individuals, from merchants to military personnel, musicians, and scientists, has contributed to the rich historical tapestry of the name. The enduring presence of the name in historical documents underscores its significance and the diverse roles played by those who carried it.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Zobel

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

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

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

Reference this page

We spend a lot of resources downloading, cleaning, merging, and formatting the data that is shown on the site.

If you found the data or information on this page useful in your research, please use the tool below to properly cite or reference Name Census as the source. We appreciate your support!