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

Tzunun, 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 Tzunun surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Tzunun in America

Tzunun is the 69793rd most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Tzunun surname appeared 281 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 Tzunun.

The history of the last name Tzunun

The surname TZUNUN is believed to have originated in the region of Chiapas, Mexico. Its roots can be traced back to the ancient Mayan civilization that flourished in this area from around the 3rd century BCE until the Spanish conquest in the 16th century.

The name TZUNUN is derived from the Mayan word "tzunun," which translates to "hummingbird." The hummingbird held a significant place in Mayan mythology and was often associated with fertility, beauty, and the cycle of life. It is possible that the surname was initially bestowed upon individuals who had a connection to this symbolic creature or resided in an area where hummingbirds were abundant.

One of the earliest recorded references to the name TZUNUN can be found in a 16th-century manuscript detailing the Spanish conquest of the Maya territories. The document mentions a Maya leader named Kan Tzunun, who led resistance efforts against the Spanish forces in the region of Chiapas.

In the 17th century, the surname TZUNUN appears in records of the nearby town of Comitán, which was a major center of Maya culture. During this time, a prominent figure named María Tzunun is mentioned as a respected elder and healer within the local community.

As the centuries passed, the TZUNUN surname spread across Mexico and into other parts of Central America, carried by individuals of Maya descent. Notable bearers of the name include:

1. Juan Tzunun (1842-1912), a Maya artist renowned for his intricate wood carvings and ceramics depicting traditional Mayan motifs.

2. Rosalía Tzunun (1868-1947), a Maya activist who fought for the preservation of indigenous languages and cultural practices in the face of Spanish colonization.

3. Diego Tzunun (1901-1987), a Maya archaeologist who played a pivotal role in uncovering and documenting ancient Maya ruins in the region of Chiapas.

4. Gabriela Tzunun (1932-2018), a celebrated Maya poet whose works explored themes of identity, resilience, and the natural world.

5. Javier Tzunun (born 1975), a contemporary Maya artist whose vibrant paintings and sculptures draw inspiration from traditional Mayan symbolism and mythology.

While the surname TZUNUN retains its roots in the Maya culture of Chiapas, it has since dispersed across Mexico and beyond, carried by individuals of diverse backgrounds and experiences. This ancient name continues to serve as a connection to the rich heritage and enduring legacy of the Maya people.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Tzunun

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

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 Tzunun 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.

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

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

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