History of your Surname
Get access to Zotter family records.Start a free trial

Zotter Family History

Zotter Name Meaning

South German: from an agent derivative of Middle High German zotte zote ‘shaggy wool’ hence perhaps an occupational name for someone who kept sheep or was employed in the wool trade or alternatively a nickname for someone who habitually wore a sheepskin or who had an unkempt appearance. German: nickname for a clumsy or distracted person from a derivative of Middle High German zotten ‘to stroll or amble’.

Source: Dictionary of American Family Names 2nd edition, 2022


Similar surnames: Notter, Rotter, Otter, Potter, Lotter, Oster, Wetter, Kolter, Doster

Search for a relative to learn more about your family history.

Hint: Try searching for a relative alive in 1940.

Black & white image of a young woman scientist

Where is the Zotter family from?

You can see how Zotter families moved over time by selecting different census years. The Zotter family name was found in the USA in 1920. In 1920 there were 13 Zotter families living in Pennsylvania. This was about 25% of all the recorded Zotter's in USA. Pennsylvania had the highest population of Zotter families in 1920.
Use census records and voter lists to see where families with the Zotter surname lived. Within census records, you can often find information like name of household members, ages, birthplaces, residences, and occupations.
Mapbox
© Mapbox © OpenStreetMap Improve this map

What did your Zotter ancestors do for a living?

In 1940, Laborer and Maid were the top reported jobs for men and women in the USA named Zotter. 31% of Zotter men worked as a Laborer and 37% of Zotter women worked as a Maid. Some less common occupations for Americans named Zotter were Machinist and Nursemaid. .

View Census Data for Zotter | Data not to scale

*We display top occupations by gender to maintain their historical accuracy during times when men and women often performed different jobs.

United States shown, Canada data unavailable

Top Male Occupations In 1940

  • Laborer
    31%
  • New Worker
    10%
  • Butcher
    10%
  • Machinist
    10%

Top Female Occupations In 1940

  • Maid
    37%
  • Housework
    28%
  • Servant
    19%
  • Nursemaid
    19%
Black & white image of two construction labourers

What Zotter family records will you find?

Census Records

There are 856 census records available for the last name Zotter. Like a window into their day-to-day life, Zotter census records can tell you where and how your ancestors worked, their level of education, veteran status, and more.

Search Canadian census records for Zotter

Passenger Lists

There are 1,000 immigration records available for the last name Zotter. Passenger lists are your ticket to knowing when your ancestors arrived in Canada, and how they made the journey - from the ship name to ports of arrival and departure.

View all Zotter immigration records

Draft Cards

There are 413 military records available for the last name Zotter. For the veterans among your Zotter ancestors, military collections provide insights into where and when they served, and even physical descriptions.

View all Zotter military records

You've only scratched the surface of Zotter family history

Discover More

What is the average Zotter lifespan?

Between 1956 and 2004, in the United States, Zotter life expectancy was at its lowest point in 1997, and highest in 2001. The average life expectancy for Zotter in 1956 was 49, and 84 in 2004.

View Social Security Death Index (SSDI) for Zotter

Discover the unique achievements of ancestors in the Zotter family tree

Explore Your Tree

Browse profiles of historical people with the Zotter last name

Search for another surname
Enter last name/surname
Start a 14-Day Free Trial