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

Zug, 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 Zug surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Zug in America

Zug is the 60960th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Zug surname appeared 330 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 Zug.

We can also compare 2010 data for Zug 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 Zug

The surname Zug has its origins in the Swiss-German-speaking regions, primarily around the city and canton of Zug, located in central Switzerland. The name itself is of geographical origin, tied to the town of Zug, which was first mentioned in historical records in 858 AD as "Ziugel." The name Zug is derived from the Old High German word "zuga," which means "to pull or to move." This may refer to the activity of pulling boats along a river or the movement of people and goods.

The surname Zug first appeared as a family name in the middle ages. The earliest known progenitors of the Zug name were likely connected to the town's establishment and growth. Records from the Swiss city-states during the 13th and 14th centuries indicate the prominence of the name among local inhabitants. Heinrich Zug, born in 1246, is one of the earliest individuals recorded with this surname, signifying that the family may have been influential during the formation of the Swiss Confederacy.

Zug gained additional historical significance through its appearances in various documents and records. One such mention can be found in the "Urkundenbuch der Stadt Zug," a cartulary collection recording the town's medieval transactions and legal affairs. By the 16th century, the Zug name had spread beyond the canton into surrounding regions, reflecting the movement and diaspora of its bearers.

Throughout the centuries, several notable individuals have borne the surname Zug. Peter Zug, born in 1447, was a Swiss merchant known for his trade connections throughout Europe. He played a significant role in promoting Zug as a commercial hub during his era. Another prominent figure was Johann Zug, born in 1651, an influential member of the city council and later the mayor, who was instrumental in various local urban development projects.

The name's prominence continued into the modern age. Wilhelm Zug, born in 1789, became well-known as an early Swiss industrialist and a pioneer in the textile industry. His efforts in establishing textile mills around Lake Zug helped modernize the region's economy. Another distinguished person with this surname was Emil Zug, born in 1834, a prominent civil engineer credited with several significant infrastructural projects within the Swiss Federal Railways.

The Zug surname also made its way to the Americas during the waves of European immigration in the 19th century. Jacob Zug, who emigrated to Pennsylvania in the mid-1800s, left a lasting impact as a successful farmer and community leader, helping to establish Swiss cultural institutions in his new homeland.

Thus, the surname Zug offers a rich tapestry of history, spanning from its origins in a small Swiss town to broader influence across the globe. The name's endurance over centuries highlights the legacy and achievements of those who bore it, leaving an indelible mark on both Swiss history and beyond.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Zug

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

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

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

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