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

Zortman, 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 Zortman surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Zortman in America

Zortman is the 41657th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Zortman surname appeared 522 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 Zortman.

We can also compare 2010 data for Zortman 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 Zortman

The surname Zortman is rooted in Germany, with its origins tracing back to the medieval period. The name is believed to have originated in the regions of Bavaria and the Rhineland. It is a variant of the surname Zortmann, which itself has Germanic roots. This surname is derived from the Middle High German word 'zorte' or 'zurt,' which means ambush or trap, and 'man,' meaning man. Thus, the initial etymology points towards a person who sets traps or is involved in ambushes, likely indicative of a hunter or someone with similar responsibilities.

One of the earliest references to the surname appears in medieval German records. For example, a Hans Zortmann is noted in Bavarian court documents from the late 15th century. The presence of the name in these documents suggests that bearers of the surname were already established in the region and engaged in local socio-political activities.

By the 16th century, variations in the spelling of the name began to take shape, including Zortmann and Zorthmann. Migration patterns over the centuries also contributed to these variations. Johannes Zortmann, born in 1540 in Hesse, is another notable individual who left records behind, indicating his role as a local magistrate. His records provide a further glimpse into how the surname was used and recognized in German-speaking territories.

The surname crossed the Atlantic with European immigration to America. One significant figure is Friedrich Zortman, who emigrated from the Rhineland to Pennsylvania in the mid-18th century around 1750. His descendants are found in various records throughout Pennsylvania, contributing to American society as farmers, tradesmen, and local officials.

In the late 19th century, another notable individual with the surname is Heinrich Zortmann, born in 1865 in Bavaria. Heinrich was an accomplished artisan known for his intricate wood carvings. His works were exhibited in Germany and occasionally abroad, marking the family's transition into more artistic and skilled trades.

Anna Zortman, born in 1892 in Bavaria, is another historical figure of importance. A suffragette and women's rights advocate, she moved to the United States in the early 20th century and played a pivotal role in the women's suffrage movement in New York.

These instances of the surname Zortman across centuries and continents highlight its historical journey from medieval Germany, through migratory waves, and into diverse societal roles in both Europe and America. The name has maintained its roots while adapting to various cultural and linguistic environments.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Zortman

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

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

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

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