Tracing the Zilch Family Name

Families named Zilch share a German surname with a long history.

What does the surname Zilch mean?

The usual explanation, from Elsdon Smith, is “descendant of Ziv (alive)”. The 2010 US Census counted 401 people named Zilch, ranking it number 51,830 among American surnames.

How common is the Zilch last name?

Like many surnames, it grew out of a personal name. The name also appears as Zillich and Zillig.

Does every Zilch family have a crest?

Sharing the Zilch name is not the same as sharing a crest; arms were granted to individual families.

Research your Zilch family history with a full surname report and painted coat of arms.