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

Zobrist, 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 Zobrist surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Zobrist in America

Zobrist is the 28704th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Zobrist surname appeared 830 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 Zobrist.

We can also compare 2010 data for Zobrist 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 Zobrist

The surname Zobrist has its origins in Switzerland, specifically within the German-speaking regions. The time period where the name first appeared can be traced back to the Middle Ages, around the 13th or 14th century. The name is believed to be a toponymic surname, derived from a geographical location or place name where the early bearers of the name resided. It is thought to originate from a place in Switzerland known as Zofingen in the canton of Aargau, which was known historically as Zobringes or Zobrist in old German dialects. This connection infers that the early Zobrist families likely took their surname from their association with this area.

Historical references to the surname Zobrist can be found in various Swiss records, including church documents and land deeds from the medieval period. One of the earliest recorded instances of the name appears in a document from the 14th century, where a Hans Zobrist is mentioned in relation to land ownership in Zofingen. These early records are crucial in tracing the spread and development of the surname through subsequent centuries.

In the 15th century, another prominent individual known by the surname was Ulrich Zobrist, who is recorded as an official in Bern around 1480. He played a significant role in the municipal governance of the city, illustrating the geographical spread and social standing of the Zobrist family during that time. His contributions to the community were documented in various municipal records of Bern, preserving his name in history.

Moving further in time, the name Zobrist appears in the 17th century with Jakob Zobrist, who was born in 1624 and became a notable figure in the religious community. He held a position as a Protestant pastor in the canton of Basel, showcasing the continued prominence of the Zobrist name in Swiss society. His sermons and theological writings were well-regarded and parts of them preserved in church archives.

In the 18th century, Joseph Zobrist, born in 1720, emigrated to America where he became an early settler in Pennsylvania. His journey across the Atlantic reflects the migration patterns of many European families during that period seeking new opportunities. Joseph's descendants continued to establish themselves in the United States, contributing to the spread of the Zobrist surname outside of its Swiss origins.

By the 19th century, individuals bearing the surname Zobrist can be found in various professions and regions. One such person is Friedrich Zobrist, born in 1841, who became a well-known watchmaker in Geneva. His intricate craftsmanship and the high quality of his timepieces earned him recognition, and examples of his work are still sought after by collectors today.

The Zobrist surname encapsulates a rich heritage intertwined with geographical, historical, and social elements. From its origins in Swiss towns and its significance in various historical records, the name has traversed centuries and continents, leaving a lasting mark on numerous fields ranging from governance and religion to craftsmanship.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Zobrist

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

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

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

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