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

Zwald, 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 Zwald surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Zwald in America

Zwald is the 75799th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Zwald surname appeared 254 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 Zwald.

We can also compare 2010 data for Zwald 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 Zwald

The surname ZWALD has its origins in the German-speaking regions of Europe, particularly Switzerland. The name is thought to have emerged during the Middle Ages, likely between the 12th and 14th centuries. It is derived from the German words "zw" meaning "two" and "wald" meaning "forest" or "woods," suggesting a location between two forests or woods. The name's earliest forms could have included variations such as "Zwalt" or "Zwäld."

ZWALD is represented in historical records, particularly in Swiss archives. One of the earliest mentions can be found in ecclesiastical documents and local Swiss records dating back to the late 1400s. The name appears in old manuscripts associated with land ownership and familial transactions in the region.

Notable historical figures with the surname ZWALD include Johann ZWALD (born 1510, died 1573), a notable local official in the Canton of Bern, Switzerland. Another prominent individual was Hans ZWALD (born 1585, died 1654), who was involved in various church activities and contributed to the local community in Zurich. Their involvement in civic duties reflects the integration and establishment of the ZWALD family in regional affairs.

In the realm of literature, Barbara ZWALD (born 1689, died 1756) gained recognition for her contributions to Swiss folklore and local storytelling traditions. Her work predominantly revolved around the oral traditions of the Swiss Alps and was documented posthumously by local historians.

Another prominent ZWALD was Friedrich ZWALD (born 1772, died 1831), a military officer who played a crucial role during the Napoleonic Wars, serving in the cantonal militia of Switzerland. His leadership and strategic efforts were integral to the regional defenses.

More modern historical records feature Karl ZWALD (born 1824, died 1895), an important figure in the Swiss agricultural movement of the 19th century. He was an advocate for modern farming techniques and significantly influenced agricultural policies in the Canton of Aargau.

The ZWALD surname traces back through centuries of Swiss history, signifying its longstanding presence and influence in the region. Its etymology links to geographical features, while historical records highlight the involvement of individuals in various facets of local Swiss life, from administration and military to literature and agriculture.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Zwald

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

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

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

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