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

Zoet, 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 Zoet surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Zoet in America

Zoet is the 81181st most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Zoet surname appeared 233 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 Zoet.

We can also compare 2010 data for Zoet 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 Zoet

The surname Zoet originates from the Netherlands, specifically from the Dutch-speaking regions. The name dates back to the late medieval period, around the 14th to 15th centuries. Zoet is derived from the Middle Dutch word 'soet' or 'zoet,' meaning 'sweet' or 'pleasant.' This indicative adjective was likely used as a nickname for someone with an agreeable or pleasing demeanor.

Historical records show the surname Zoet appearing intermittently in various manuscripts and documents from the Netherlands. Terminological references occasionally include the spelling variations 'soet,' 'zoete,' and 'zoeten,' reflecting the phonetic shifts and regional dialects over centuries. The name was first recorded in civic records and religious texts, primarily in the provinces of North Holland and South Holland.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the surname Zoet is found in a marriage record from 1543 in the city of Haarlem. It mentions a Jan Zoet who was a well-known merchant in the area. Haarlem, being a significant center for trade and commerce in the Dutch Golden Age, saw many families bearing this surname prosper.

Another notable historical appearance is in 1625 with a record of Anna Zoet, who was documented in Rotterdam as a midwife. The profession of midwifery was highly respected, and Anna's role signified the trust the community placed in her. This era saw the surname becoming more common in civic registries and baptismal records.

In the 18th century, Pieter Zoet emerged as a prominent figure, born in 1750 in Leiden, known for his botanical studies and contributions to the University of Leiden. His research greatly influenced the study of botany in the Netherlands and earned him recognition in academic circles until his death in 1820.

The surname continued to appear in various records, including that of Cornelis Zoet, an officer in the Dutch East India Company, born in 1789. Cornelis participated in expeditions to the East Indies and played a significant role in maritime navigation and trade. His career details are recorded in naval logs and company documents until his passing in 1835.

In the 19th century, Maria Zoet, born in 1834 in Utrecht, became known for her artistic contributions, particularly in the realm of Dutch landscape painting. Her works remain part of various private collections and offer insights into Dutch rural life during her period, up until her death in 1905.

Lastly, in 1902, the poet and writer Willem Zoet was born in Amsterdam, known for his literary works that explored Dutch identity and cultural heritage. His poetry and prose significantly influenced Dutch literature until his death in 1970, and his works are still appreciated in literary circles.

Throughout history, the surname Zoet has been borne by individuals contributing to diverse fields such as commerce, medicine, academia, maritime trade, art, and literature. This surname offers a glimpse into the rich tapestry of Dutch culture and history through the lives of these remarkable individuals.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Zoet

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

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

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

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