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

Zulauf, 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 Zulauf surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Zulauf in America

Zulauf is the 36379th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Zulauf surname appeared 615 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 Zulauf.

We can also compare 2010 data for Zulauf 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 Zulauf

The surname Zulauf has its origins in German-speaking regions, likely dating back to the medieval period. Primarily found in Switzerland and southern Germany, the name's origin can be linked to the Middle High German words "zuloufen," meaning "to flow towards" or "to approach." This thematic connection with water or movement points to a possible origin related to geographical features, such as a river or stream in close proximity to an early bearer's residence.

Historically, surnames in these regions often derived from occupations, physical characteristics, or geographical features. Zulauf would likely fit into the category of topographic surnames, denoting a family living near a gathering or meeting point of waters. Over the centuries, variations of the name might have existed, including old spellings like Zuloufe or Zulouff, though standardized spelling became more consistent by the early modern period.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name can be traced back to Swiss church records from the 16th century. The parish registers from Zurich, for instance, mention a Heinrich Zulauf, born circa 1570, whose family details appear prominently in local documents. Similarly, in the early 17th century, a Jörg Zulauf from Basel is found in tax and land records, denoting ownership and local status.

During the 18th century, the name appears in records of immigration and land purchases in colonial America. Hans Georg Zulauf, born in 1712, emigrated from Germany to Pennsylvania around 1740, becoming an early settler and landowner in the burgeoning Philadelphia County. His descendants played significant roles in local agriculture and community development.

In the realm of more modern history, Johannes Zulauf, born in 1823 and deceased in 1895, stands out as a prominent scholar and botanist in Switzerland. His extensive collection of alpine flora contributed significantly to botanical studies in Europe, with numerous academic papers and contributions to botanical gardens across Swiss cities.

Another noteworthy figure includes Emilie Zulauf, born in 1858, a pioneering educator and advocate for women's education in Germany. Her efforts led to the establishment of several institutions aimed at improving the literacy and educational opportunities for women in the late 19th century, leaving a lasting impact on educational reform.

By examining these historical references, we see that the Zulauf surname carries with it a rich tapestry of geographical origins, early recorded incidences, and contributions to society by various notable individuals bearing the name. This multifaceted history from the Middle Ages to the modern period encapsulates the enduring legacy of the Zulauf name.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Zulauf

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

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

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

Reference this page

We spend a lot of resources downloading, cleaning, merging, and formatting the data that is shown on the site.

If you found the data or information on this page useful in your research, please use the tool below to properly cite or reference Name Census as the source. We appreciate your support!