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

Zweifel, 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 Zweifel surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Zweifel in America

Zweifel is the 20617th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Zweifel surname appeared 1,285 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 Zweifel.

We can also compare 2010 data for Zweifel 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 Zweifel

The surname Zweifel has its origins in Switzerland, primarily in the German-speaking regions. The name dates back to at least the late Middle Ages, around the 14th or 15th century. Zweifel is derived from the Middle High German word zweifel, meaning "doubt" or "uncertainty." It is believed that the name was originally a nickname for a skeptical or uncertain person, or someone who was often doubtful.

Historical references to the surname Zweifel can be found in various Swiss records and manuscripts. One of the earliest known mentions dates back to a document from 1371 where a certain Heinrich Zweifel is recorded in Zürich. This indicates that the name was already established in the region by the 14th century.

The Zweifel family name is particularly associated with the regions of Zürich and Aargau in Switzerland. Over time, the name has also spread to other parts of Switzerland and neighboring countries such as Germany and Austria. Variations in the spelling of the name, such as Zweyfel or Zweifelin, can be found in old church registers and civic records.

Among the notable historical figures bearing the surname Zweifel is Johann Zweifel, born in 1634 in Zürich. He was a well-known theologian and author, contributing significantly to religious texts of his time. Another prominent member was Jakob Zweifel, born in 1799, who was a respected Swiss politician and served as a member of the cantonal council of Zürich.

In the field of science, Karl Theodor Zweifel (1821-1895) was a renowned mathematician and astronomer. He made significant contributions to the study of celestial mechanics and published several influential papers on the subject.

In more recent history, American physician and ethicist Charles M. Zweifel (1930-2012) gained recognition for his work in medical ethics and patient care. His contributions have had a lasting impact on medical practices and ethical standards in the United States.

Another noteworthy individual is Hermann Zweifel, who was born in 1945 and became an influential figure in the field of conservation biology. He played a crucial role in various international conservation projects, helping to protect endangered species and their habitats.

The surname Zweifel, with its roots in doubt and skepticism, has evolved over centuries and has been borne by individuals who made notable contributions in various fields, from theology and politics to science and conservation. Its history reflects the rich cultural and regional heritage of Switzerland and its influence in broader European contexts.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Zweifel

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

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

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

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