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

Zuhlke, 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 Zuhlke surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Zuhlke in America

Zuhlke is the 39052nd most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Zuhlke surname appeared 564 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 Zuhlke.

We can also compare 2010 data for Zuhlke 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 Zuhlke

The surname Zuhlke has its origins in Germany, specifically rooted in the regions of East Prussia and Pomerania. The name is believed to have emerged in the medieval period, around the 12th or 13th century. Its etymology likely stems from the German word "Zuehl," which translates to "goal" or "aim," hinting at an occupational or locational origin related to a goal-setting role or a strategic location.

Over time, the spelling and pronunciation of Zuhlke may have varied. Early records indicate various forms such as "Zühlke" and "Zuelke." These slight modifications would have been influenced by regional dialects and the linguistic evolution of the German language.

Historical references to the surname Zuhlke can be found in church registers, tax records, and other medieval documents. One notable early record is from a 14th-century land transfer document in the Pomeranian region, which mentions a Johannes Zühlke as a landowner. Unfortunately, precise dates are challenging to pin down, but the name's presence in such documents confirms its long-standing history.

One significant individual carrying the surname Zuhlke was Friedrich Zuhlke, a Prussian military officer born in 1775. General Friedrich Zuhlke had a notable career in the early 19th century, particularly during the Napoleonic Wars, and he passed away in 1834. His contributions to the military strategies of the time are well-documented.

In the realm of academia, Wilhelm Zuhlke, born in 1861 and deceased in 1922, made his mark as a historian and philologist. His research focused on the lexicon and linguistic patterns of medieval German dialects, contributing valuable insights to the field of Germanic studies.

Another notable figure was Anna Zuhlke, an artist born in 1889, whose works in expressionism gained recognition in early 20th-century Germany. Although her life was unfortunately cut short in 1924, her contributions to the arts remain appreciated in historical contexts.

Heinrich Zuhlke, born in 1822, was a prominent industrialist in the late 19th century. He played a pivotal role in the development of textile manufacturing in East Prussia and significantly influenced local economic policies before his death in 1898.

Additionally, in the 20th century, Walter Zuhlke, born in 1912, emerged as an influential figure in the field of engineering. His pioneering work in mechanical engineering and contributions to automation processes during the mid-20th century are still respected today. Walter Zuhlke passed away in 1983.

The surname Zuhlke, with its deeply rooted history and etymological origins, showcases a legacy through various significant historical figures, spanning military, academic, artistic, industrial, and engineering fields. The name's journey from medieval German regions to contemporary relevance reflects an enduring cultural and historical significance.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Zuhlke

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

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

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

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