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

Zunk, 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 Zunk surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Zunk in America

Zunk is the 66164th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Zunk surname appeared 299 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 Zunk.

We can also compare 2010 data for Zunk 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 Zunk

The surname Zunk is believed to have originated in Germany, likely dating back to the Middle Ages. Its geographical roots can mainly be traced to the regions of Baden-Württemberg and Bavaria, where early records indicate its presence. The name is Germanic in origin, possibly derived from the Middle High German word "zunse", which means "fence" or "hedge," indicating a person who lived by or worked with such structures. Alternative theories suggest a link to the verb "zunken," which means to sink or settle, perhaps describing someone who lived in a low-lying area or valley.

Historical references to the name Zunk are sparse, yet one of the earliest known mentions can be found in a 13th-century manuscript from the Baden-Württemberg area. The document lists a Henricus Zunke as a witness to a land transaction dated 1287, marking one of the first recorded appearances of the name in written records. Variations of the surname such as "Zunke" and "Zunck" appear in different documents over the centuries, indicating some fluidity in spelling during medieval times.

The earliest recorded example of the name in a more permanent form appears in the 15th century. Jacob Zunk, born in 1423 and a noted craftsman from Bavaria, is frequently cited in guild records from the period. Jacob Zunk made significant contributions to the local community through his metalworking skills, and his works are detailed in several archival documents from the era.

A prominent figure bearing the surname in later history is Johann Zunk, a Lutheran minister from Swabia born in 1615. Johann Zunk's sermons and theological writings were well-regarded in his time, and he played a notable role during the religious upheavals of the Thirty Years' War. His influence is well documented in church records from the period.

In the 18th century, the name Zunk can be found in various military rolls and parish records. Georg Friedrich Zunk, born in 1720, served as an officer in the Prussian army under Frederick the Great. His military career, detailed in dispatches and rosters from the Seven Years' War, highlights the family's historical presence in Germany's military ranks.

Further into the 19th century, another influential figure emerges in the form of Klaus Zunk, an educator and reformer born in 1825. Based in what is now modern-day Stuttgart, Klaus Zunk was instrumental in introducing educational reforms and promoting literacy. His efforts are chronicled in educational journals and local chronicles of the time.

In the realm of academia, a notable 20th-century bearer of the surname was Dr. Erika Zunk, a historian born in 1899. Her scholarly works on medieval German history are still referenced today, and her contributions to the field earned her recognition in academic circles. While comprehensive biographical details are scarce, Dr. Zunk's published papers and correspondence provide a rich source of information about her life and work.

The surname Zunk, though not widespread, carries a rich tapestry of history and significance, interwoven with German cultural and regional identity across the centuries.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Zunk

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

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

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

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