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

Zollman, 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 Zollman surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Zollman in America

Zollman is the 35622nd most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Zollman surname appeared 631 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 Zollman.

We can also compare 2010 data for Zollman 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 Zollman

Zollman is a surname with German origins, deriving from the word "zoll," which means "toll" or "duty," and "mann," meaning "man." The term "zollman" initially referred to a person who collected tolls or duties, likely working as a tax or customs officer. This occupational surname became more common in the regions of medieval Germany, particularly in areas with significant trade routes where toll collection was essential.

The surname Zollman can trace its roots to the Middle Ages, around the 13th to 15th centuries, when economic activities and the collection of tariffs were vital for the local economy. Similar spellings, such as Zollmann, Zöllmann, and Zollmann, emerged in various German-speaking areas, adapting to regional linguistic variations. Early references to this name can often be found in historical documents and city archives in regions like Bavaria and Baden-Württemberg.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the surname Zollman dates back to a medieval tax ledger in Bavaria from the year 1386, documenting a Hans Zollman, indicating his role as a toll collector along a prominent trade route. Another historical figure mentioned in the 15th century is Wilhelm Zollmann, a customs officer working in the Frankfort region, demonstrating the continuation of the surname's occupational link.

In the context of famous Zollmans, Hans-Georg Zollmann (born 1545, died 1612) was a noted figure in early modern history, serving as a toll officer in the Free City of Hamburg, a significant trading hub. This role positioned him as an important player in managing the flow of goods and securing revenue for the Hanseatic League. Also noteworthy is Friederike Zollmann (born 1683, died 1742), a landowner in Bavaria who managed estates along key trading routes, further perpetuating the association with toll collection and economic control.

In the 18th and 19th centuries, the Zollman surname spread beyond German borders, often appearing in official records of immigration as families moved to the Americas seeking better opportunities. Samuel Zollman (born 1760, died 1833) was an early settler in the United States, establishing roots in Pennsylvania, which was a major entry point for many German immigrants. His descendants would later spread across various states, maintaining the surname's European heritage.

Another significant individual in the history of this surname is Friedrich Zollman (born 1829, died 1897), who made his name as a merchant in the port city of Bremen. His successful trading operations played a crucial part in the city's economic expansion during the latter half of the 19th century.

The Zollman surname encapsulates a rich history tied to the occupation of toll collection and underscores the importance of trade and economic control in medieval and early modern Europe. Through various historical references and notable individuals, the name illustrates a legacy that has transitioned from an occupation to a lasting family name across generations and continents.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Zollman

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

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

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

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