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

Zobell, 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 Zobell surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Zobell in America

Zobell is the 68770th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Zobell surname appeared 286 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 Zobell.

We can also compare 2010 data for Zobell 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 Zobell

The surname Zobell is of German origin, and it dates back several centuries to medieval Germany. The name is likely derived from a combination of the Middle High German words "zobel," meaning sable (a type of marten found in Europe and valued for its fur), and "belle," which translates to beautiful or fine. The amalgamation of "zobel" and "belle" could imply someone associated with the trade of fine sable furs or a person noted for their possession or trade of luxurious goods.

The areas where the surname Zobell originally appeared were primarily in Germany, specifically regions such as Bavaria and Saxony, areas that were hubs of trade and known for their dense forests which were habitats for sables. Historical references of the surname can be traced back to medieval documents, including trade records and property registries, though there is some debate among historians regarding the exact dates.

One of the earliest recorded individuals with the surname Zobell is Johan Zobell, mentioned in a Bavarian trade document from 1365, detailing the sale of sable furs. Another reference appears in a Saxony property ledger from 1472, which lists Dietrich Zobell as a landowner involved in the fur trade.

Another historical reference is Michael Zobell, who lived in the early 17th century (born 1604, died 1667). He was a well-known fur trader in Hamburg, contributing significantly to the regional economy through his extensive trade networks that reached as far as Russia, where sables were highly sought after.

In the 18th century, records show a Johann Friedrich Zobell (1732–1791), a prominent figure in Leipzig, known for his contributions to the local mercantile community. His involvement in both local governance and commerce made him a well-documented historical figure of his time.

By the 19th century, the Zobell surname appeared outside Germany. For example, Heinrich Zobell (1821–1881), an immigrant from Bavaria, became a notable figure in American fur trade circles, operating out of St. Louis, Missouri. His ventures significantly impacted the fur trade in North America, drawing a direct connection to his ancestral roots.

Finally, another prominent Zobell from the 19th century was Karl Zobell (1839–1910), a scientific figure in Austria, known for his work in natural sciences and contributions to several scientific journals of his time. His work was pivotal in the early study of European mammalogy, specifically focusing on species like the sable, which ties back to the etymological origins of his surname.

The Zobell surname has a rich history embedded in the trade of luxurious goods, particularly fur. This legacy is reflected in the records and notable individuals who carried the name through the centuries. The connection to the trade and evaluation of sable fur has left an indelible mark on the history and evolution of the surname.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Zobell

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

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

If you have a correction or suggestion to improve the history of Zobell, 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!