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

Zollner, 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 Zollner surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Zollner in America

Zollner is the 32203rd most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Zollner surname appeared 716 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 Zollner.

We can also compare 2010 data for Zollner 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 Zollner

The surname Zollner finds its origins in Germany, deriving from the Middle High German word "zolnære" or "zolner," which refers to a toll collector or customs officer. This occupation-based surname emerged prominently during the medieval period, around the 12th and 13th centuries, when trade routes and markets were expanding, necessitating the roles of toll collectors to regulate and tax goods.

The earliest areas where the name Zollner appeared include regions along trade routes in what is modern-day Germany, particularly in Bavaria and Saxony. The name's etymology links directly to the job role of overseeing tolls, translating from "zoll," meaning toll or duty, and "ner," a suffix indicating an agent or someone engaged in an activity.

Historical references to the name Zollner can be found in various tax and civic records. One notable early manuscript mention is in a 13th-century town register from Nuremberg, where a Heinrich Zollner is listed as an official in 1274. These records are essential as they provide insight into the bureaucratic roles that individuals with this surname held during the medieval period.

The name Zollner saw various spellings over time, such as Zolner, Zollner, and Zöllner, the latter incorporating the umlaut which is more common in modern renditions. Johann Christian Zöllner (1753-1804), a notable scientist and writer, contributed significantly to the field of astronomy and was born in Leipzig. His work is still referenced in historical studies of 18th-century German science.

Another prominent figure is Johann Friedrich Zöllner (1797-1891), a German theologian and philosopher who made significant contributions to Protestant theology. His birthplace was Königsberg, where his family name reflected his ancestors' professions as toll collectors in the bustling trade city.

Karl Zöllner (1822-1901), a German landscape painter, became widely known for his depictions of German countryside scenes. Born in Dresden, his surname indicates that his family likely originated from a lineage involved in toll collection.

Otto Zöllner, a German chess composer born in the mid-19th century, gained fame for his intricate and imaginative chess problems, contributing to the cultural life of the time while carrying on a surname with deep historical roots.

In the realm of performing arts, Emil Zöllner (1868-1948), a celebrated German stage actor and director from Berlin, left an indelible mark on the theater scene during his time, further showcasing the diversity of achievements among individuals with this surname.

These historical instances underscore the rich and varied legacy of the surname Zollner, spanning from its origins in medieval Germany to its distinguished bearers through the centuries.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Zollner

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

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

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

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