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

Zurich, 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 Zurich surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Zurich in America

Zurich is the 104156th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Zurich surname appeared 172 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 Zurich.

We can also compare 2010 data for Zurich 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 Zurich

The surname Zurich finds its origin in Switzerland, specifically tied to the largest city of the same name, Zurich. The name dates back to the Middle Ages, emerging from the Germanic settlement known as "Turicum", which was the Roman name for the area. By the 9th century, the name began to transform into "Zuri", a short form which later evolved into Zurich. The word "Turicum" is believed to have derived from "Turīcon", indicating that it was a noble or warrior’s fortress.

Historical documentation of the surname Zurich appears sporadically in medieval records. One such early reference dates back to the Monastery of St. Gallen charters in the 9th century. The document lists individuals from the region, among whom families bearing a precursor of the Zurich name made an appearance.

The earliest concrete example of an individual with the surname Zurich can be traced back to the 12th century. Heinrich von Zurich, born in 1146, was an influential burgher in Zurich. His existence is recorded in a series of city records detailing property and civic duties. His lineage indicates the usage of the surname passed through generations within the dominion of Zurich.

In the 15th century, another notable bearer of the surname was Ulrich Zurich. Born in 1423, Ulrich played a significant role in Swiss trade, facilitating commerce between Swiss cantons and neighboring regions. His name appears in multiple mercantile records, reflecting the economic importance of Zurich as a center for trade in medieval times.

Another historic figure is Anna Zurich, born in 1657, who became recognized for her contributions to the early textile industry in Zurich. Her efforts in establishing trade standards and promoting local craftsmanship are documented in the city guild's records. Anna's work aided Zurich in becoming a central hub for textile production in the 17th century.

In the realm of Swiss politics, Johann Zurich, born in 1760, stands out as a notable political figure in the late 18th and early 19th centuries. Johann's tenure included efforts in formalizing city ordinances that shaped the structural and social fabric of Zurich, many of which are mentioned in municipal archives.

Leonhard Zurich, born in 1825, was a renowned historian and author during the 19th century. His comprehensive works on Swiss history, particularly focusing on the city of Zurich, have provided invaluable insights into the region's past. References to his publications can be found in academic journals of the period, indicating his prominent contribution to historical scholarship.

These historical figures underscore a rich lineage and illustrate the surname Zurich's deep connection to the city and region bearing the same name. The surname Zurich has traversed through various phases of history, embodying the evolving culture, economy, and society of its place of origin.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Zurich

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

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

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

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