Explore the Family Name Zehr
The meaning of Zehr
German: nickname for a big eater or a spendthrift, from a noun derivative of Middle High German zeren ‘to spend a lot of money on food and drink, to splurge’. History: As a name of Swiss German origin the surname Zehr was brought to the US in (the first half of) the 19th century by several Mennonite and Amish immigrants from the Palatinate, Germany, whose ancestors were refugees who fled from the canton of Bern, Switzerland, because of religious persecution.
Dictionary of American Family Names, 2nd edition, © Oxford University Press, 2022.
How common is the last name Zehr in the United States?
Based on the Decennial U.S. Census data, the surname Zehr has increased in popularity from 2000 to 2010. In 2000, the surname was ranked 11,207, but by 2010 it had moved up to 10,620, marking a 5.24% increase in rank. The number of individuals with this surname also grew during this decade, going from 2,594 to 3,015, an increase of 16.23%. Consequently, the proportion of people named Zehr per 100,000 population also rose by 6.25%.
| 2000 | 2010 | Change | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rank | #11,207 | #10,620 | 5.24% |
| Count | 2,594 | 3,015 | 16.23% |
| Proportion per 100k | 0.96 | 1.02 | 6.25% |
Race and Ethnicity of people with the last name Zehr
When examining the ethnic identity associated with the surname Zehr, again according to the Decennial U.S. Census data, notable shifts were observed between 2000 and 2010. The majority of individuals with the Zehr surname identified as White, although there was a slight decrease in this group from 97.88% to 96.12%. There was a significant increase of those identifying as Hispanic, which increased from 0.42% to 1.59%. There was also a modest rise in those identifying as Asian/Pacific Islander (from 0.50% to 0.66%) and those identifying as two or more races (from 1.00% to 1.09%). No individuals with the Zehr surname identified as Black or American Indian and Alaskan Native during these years.
| 2000 | 2010 | Change | |
|---|---|---|---|
| White | 97.88% | 96.12% | -1.8% |
| Hispanic | 0.42% | 1.59% | 278.57% |
| Two or More Races | 1% | 1.09% | 9% |
| Asian/Pacific Islander | 0.5% | 0.66% | 32% |
| Black | 0% | 0% | 0% |
| American Indian and Alaskan Native | 0% | 0% | 0% |