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

Zwiener, 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 Zwiener surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Zwiener in America

Zwiener is the 60960th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Zwiener surname appeared 330 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 Zwiener.

We can also compare 2010 data for Zwiener 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 Zwiener

The surname Zwiener has its origins in the regions of Germany, specifically in the areas of Bavaria and Saxony. The name is considered to be of Germanic descent, and it can be traced back to the medieval era, likely emerging between the 13th and 15th centuries. The etymology of Zwiener is believed to derive from a combination of old German words. One theory suggests it may come from "zwi" meaning "two" or "double," possibly indicating a characteristic of the individual or their trade, while another part may come from "eine" or "en" indicating "one" or "single," which may refer to a location or a type of occupation. The spelling has remained fairly consistent over the centuries, though variations such as Zwiner and Swiener can occasionally be found in older records.

One of the earliest known records of the surname Zwiener appears in a 1434 Bavarian tax register, highlighting the presence of the name in administrative documents of the time. This suggests that families bearing the name were established enough to be included in such records. Another early reference is found in a 1492 manuscript detailing local nobility and notable citizens of Saxony, as the name is mentioned in a list of landholders participating in a regional council.

A prominent historical figure with this surname is Johann Zwiener, a celebrated cabinet maker born in 1845 and active during the late 19th century. Johann Zwiener was known for his exquisite marquetry and work in the Rococo style, making a significant impact on European decorative arts. Another notable person is Karl Zwiener, a 16th-century merchant who played a crucial role in the trade between the regions of Bavaria and France, contributing to the flourishing commerce of that time. The family name continued to be recorded in various local documents, maintaining its presence through generations.

In the 17th century, a significant figure was Maria Zwiener, born in 1612, who was known for her charitable works in the community of Regensburg. She established several endowments and was involved in the local governance of the town. In church records of the late 18th century, the surname appears again, with figures such as Heinrich Zwiener, a noted theologian born in 1767 who authored several influential religious texts and was a respected figure in clerical circles.

Through the 19th century, the name continued to appear in records, with individuals like Jacob Zwiener, a renowned early 19th-century artist born in Schöneberg, whose works were celebrated in various art exhibitions across Germany. Jacob's contributions to the Romantic movement are still studied for their unique style and emotional depth.

In summary, the Zwiener surname encapsulates a rich history rooted in Germany, with connections to craftsmanship, commerce, religion, and the arts. Through centuries, those bearing the name have made noteworthy contributions to their respective fields, ensuring the name's continued presence in historical records. Each reference to the surname within archival documents underscores the enduring legacy of the Zwiener family.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Zwiener

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

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

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

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