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

Zaarour, 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 Zaarour surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Zaarour in America

Zaarour is the 123796th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Zaarour surname appeared 139 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 Zaarour.

The history of the last name Zaarour

The surname Zaarour originates from the Middle East, specifically within the regions of Lebanon and Syria. Its history can be traced back to the medieval period, reflecting a long-standing presence in the area. The name is derived from the Arabic word "Zaarour," which refers to the jujube fruit, also known as the "Christ's thorn". This fruit is notable in the regions for its usage in traditional medicinal practices and its cultural significance. The name was likely adopted as a surname to denote a connection to the land, agriculture, or to signify a family's association with the production or trade of this fruit.

The earliest known references to the surname Zaarour appear in the records of the Ottoman Empire, which controlled Lebanon and Syria from the early 16th century until the end of World War I. These records indicate the presence of the Zaarour family in agrarian communities known for their cultivation of fruits and olives. The name Zaarour frequently appears in tax registries and land ownership documents from the 17th and 18th centuries, underscoring the family's established role in agricultural production.

One of the earliest documented instances of the Zaarour surname is found in a land deed from 1685, involving a farmer named Youssef Zaarour in the Bekaa Valley of Lebanon. This deed, preserved in the archives of a local church, highlights the family's ownership of extensive orchards, reinforcing the link between the surname and fruit cultivation. Another significant historical figure is Suleiman Zaarour, born in 1712 in the region of Mount Lebanon. He was known as a prominent merchant dealing in dried fruits and herbs, with his business extending across the Levant.

In the early 19th century, the Zaarour name further spread with the migration of families due to regional conflicts and economic opportunities. One notable migrant was Elias Zaarour, who moved to Damascus around 1820 and became well-known as a silk trader. His descendants maintained their mercantile presence in the city for generations, with records from the mid-19th century noting their commercial activities in the local souqs.

In the 20th century, several individuals bearing the Zaarour name gained prominence. Youssef Zaarour (1901-1963) was a noted Lebanese author and historian, who contributed significantly to the documentation of Lebanese cultural heritage. In the field of academia, Professor Samir Zaarour, born in 1938, became a respected figure in Middle Eastern studies, publishing extensively on the agricultural history of the Levant.

This surname continues to be a reminder of the deep historical and cultural ties its bearers have with their ancestral lands, illustrating a rich legacy tied to the natural world and trade practices of their regions.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Zaarour

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

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

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

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