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

Zwerling, 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 Zwerling surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Zwerling in America

Zwerling is the 77264th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Zwerling surname appeared 248 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 Zwerling.

We can also compare 2010 data for Zwerling 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 Zwerling

The surname Zwerling has its origins in Eastern Europe, most likely from the regions that are now modern-day Poland, Ukraine, and Belarus. The name is believed to be of Ashkenazi Jewish origin. It is derived from the Yiddish word "tsvey" meaning "two" and "ling," a diminutive suffix. Thus, Zwerling could be translated roughly as "little second" or "second child." Another plausible theory suggests it derives from the German word "Zwirn," meaning "twine" or "thread," indicating a family involved in the textile industry.

Records from the 16th to 18th centuries in Poland and Ukraine contain mentions of families with variations of the surname Zwerling. These documents often arise from tax registries, community lists, and synagogue ledgers. One of the earliest recorded mentions of the name appears in a 17th-century Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth document, listing a Jacob Zwerling as a merchant.

In the town of Zhovkva, in what is now Ukraine, a register from the early 1700s lists an Abraham Zwerling as a prominent member of the Jewish community. Abraham’s involvement in the local trade suggests the family’s long-standing engagement in commerce. This aligns with the theory that the name has connections to the textile industry.

The surname appears in various historical texts and records throughout Europe. Salomon Zwerling, born in 1792 and deceased in 1857, was a well-known rabbi and scholar in Warsaw, Poland. His writings on Talmudic law had significant influence, which provided the family name with historical recognition.

In the 19th and early 20th centuries, several members of the Zwerling family emigrated to the United States and other countries, escaping pogroms and seeking new opportunities. Among these immigrants was Louis Zwerling, an accomplished Hebrew poet and writer, born in 1873 and passing away in 1936. His works contributed significantly to early 20th-century Hebrew literature and provided cultural ties to his heritage.

Another notable figure was Dr. Isadore Zwerling, born in 1900 and deceased in 1985, an American physician known for his contributions to medical science, particularly in the field of oncology. His research publications were widely recognized, cementing the Zwerling name in the annals of medical history.

The surname Zwerling continued to be associated with academic and cultural achievements. Hillel Zwerling, an esteemed biologist born in 1925 and deceased in 1999, made significant contributions to the study of marine biology and ecological conservation. His extensive field research and publications left a lasting impact on the scientific community.

Throughout history, the Zwerling surname has been carried by individuals who made substantial contributions to their respective fields. Each of these figures provides a glimpse into the rich legacy and origins of the name. The evolution and spread of the surname reflect the broader historical movements and cultural shifts experienced by Ashkenazi Jewish communities in Europe and beyond.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Zwerling

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

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

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

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