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

Zwicky, 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 Zwicky surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Zwicky in America

Zwicky is the 60790th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Zwicky surname appeared 331 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 Zwicky.

We can also compare 2010 data for Zwicky 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 Zwicky

The surname Zwicky traces its roots back to German-speaking regions of Europe, particularly Switzerland. The name is of Swiss-German origin and is generally believed to have originated in the canton of Glarus, a historical and picturesque area characterized by its mountainous landscapes. The name likely dates back to the Medieval period, possibly around the 12th or 13th century, which aligns with the general development of fixed hereditary surnames in Europe.

Zwicky is derived from the old Alemannic word "zwicken," which means "to pinch" or "to squeeze." This could have been a nickname for a person of small stature or someone known for their quick and forceful way of doing things. Alternatively, it may be a toponymic surname, indicating someone who lived near a notable feature like a narrow pass or gorge, which is consistent with the mountainous geography of its region of origin.

The earliest known records of the surname Zwicky are found in Swiss documents from the late 1400s. The name appears in civic registers and legal records, indicating that bearers of this surname were likely involved in local governance or trades. One of the earliest recorded instances of the surname is from 1474 in Glarus, where a Johannes Zwicky is mentioned in municipal records. The prominence of the name in Glarus suggests it could have been associated with established local families.

Among the notable individuals bearing the surname Zwicky is Fritz Zwicky, born in 1898 and died in 1974. He was a Swiss astronomer and physicist who made significant contributions to the understanding of dark matter and supernovae. Fritz Zwicky's work in the early to mid-20th century greatly expanded our knowledge of the universe and cemented his place in the annals of scientific history.

Another significant individual is Melchior Zwicky, who lived around the turn of the 17th century. Born in 1551 and died in 1616, Melchior was a noteworthy figure in the Reformed Church of Switzerland, contributing to religious and educational reforms during a time of substantial transformation within Swiss society.

In 1746, Johann Jakob Zwicky of Zurich made a name for himself as a prominent clockmaker. His timepieces were highly sought after, and examples of his craftsmanship are still preserved in various European museums, highlighting the family's contributions to the arts and sciences over the centuries.

The surname also found its way to North America with Leopold Zwicky, who emigrated from Switzerland in the early 19th century. Leopold settled in Pennsylvania in 1821, where he played a pivotal role in the burgeoning German-speaking immigrant community, helping to establish schools and mutual aid societies.

Adolf Zwicky, born in 1825 and died in 1891, was another important figure who served as a politician and an advocate for the rights of the working class in Switzerland. His efforts were instrumental in shaping labor laws and improving conditions for workers during the Industrial Revolution.

While the surname Zwicky is relatively rare, its bearers have significantly influenced various fields from science to craftsmanship and social reform. Its rich history and unique origins reflect the diverse socio-cultural landscape of Switzerland and its diaspora.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Zwicky

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

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

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

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