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

Zumsteg, 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 Zumsteg surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Zumsteg in America

Zumsteg is the 98553rd most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Zumsteg surname appeared 184 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 Zumsteg.

We can also compare 2010 data for Zumsteg 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 Zumsteg

The surname Zumsteg originates from Switzerland, specifically from the German-speaking regions. First recorded instances of this name can be traced back to the medieval period, around the 14th to 15th centuries. The name derives from Middle High German words "zum" meaning "to the" and "Steg" meaning "footbridge" or "bridge". This suggests that the name was likely topographical, given to individuals or families who lived near a notable bridge or crossing point.

Evidence from historical records includes references in tax and property documents from the 1500s, often related to small towns and rural areas in the Swiss cantons of Zurich and Aargau. An early recorded example is Heini Zumsteg, born circa 1450, who appeared in land records detailing holdings near a well-known bridge in Zurich. The spelling and meaning of the name remained consistent over the centuries, underscoring its topographical origins.

A notable figure in the 17th century was Johannes Zumsteg, born in 1610 in Aargau, documented as a prominent member of the local guild of blacksmiths. Guild records from 1655 mention his contributions to building and maintaining the local infrastructure, including bridges, reflecting the connection to the name. His descendants continued to carry the name, maintaining family traditions linked to craftsmanship and trade.

In the 18th century, the name appears in migration records as Swiss families, including those named Zumsteg, moved to neighboring countries such as Germany and Austria. A prominent figure from this era includes Friedrich Zumsteg, born in 1754, who became known for his work in ironworks and bridge construction in Bavaria. This highlights the continued relevance of the name's origin, emphasizing skills related to its etymological roots.

The 19th century brought further prominence to the surname with Samuel Zumsteg, born in 1832 in Zurich. He was an influential industrialist and philanthropist who played a critical role in modernizing local infrastructure. His contributions to the construction of modern bridges and transportation links in Zurich were well documented in municipal records from the 1880s. His legacy continued through his family, fostering links to the name's foundational meaning.

Artur Zumsteg, born in 1887, emerged as a notable figure in the early 20th century. A Swiss engineer, he contributed significantly to bridge innovations and urban planning. His works and patents in structural engineering are referenced in multiple technical journals from the period, emphasizing the enduring connection of the surname to bridge-building and engineering feats.

The surname Zumsteg, firmly rooted in Swiss heritage, has a rich history linking families to specific locales near bridges or crossings. Its consistent spelling and meaning throughout centuries illustrate the intergenerational continuity of profession and place, remaining a testament to its topographical and occupational origins.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Zumsteg

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

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

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

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