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

Zabawa, 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 Zabawa surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Zabawa in America

Zabawa is the 38389th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Zabawa surname appeared 577 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 Zabawa.

We can also compare 2010 data for Zabawa to data from the previous census in 2000. The table below contains all of the statistics for both years in a side-by-side comparison.

The history of the last name Zabawa

The surname Zabawa originates from Poland and is deeply rooted in Slavic etymology. The name is derived from the Polish word "zabawa," which translates to "game" or "fun" in English. This offers an indication that the name may have initially been used as a nickname for someone who was lively or joyous, or potentially as a moniker for someone who organized or participated in games and festivities.

The earliest references to the surname can be traced back to the medieval period. Records from the 15th and 16th centuries frequently mention individuals with this surname, suggesting that its usage had already spread across various regions of Poland. Historical documents from the Cracow Voivodeship in the 1500s highlight several mentions of the Zabawa family, indicating their presence and social involvement in that area.

Old manuscripts such as the "Liber Beneficiorum" by Jan Długosz, a detailed 15th-century survey of church properties, mention the surname Zabawa. This document also provides insights into land ownership and social hierarchies, showing that individuals with this surname held notable positions within their communities.

One of the earliest recorded examples of the surname is Piotr Zabawa, born in approximately 1540, who was a landowner in the Masovian Voivodeship. Another noteworthy individual, Katarzyna Zabawa, documented in the late 1600s, was known for her charitable work in western Poland. These records exhibit the social standing and contributions of the Zabawa family to their communities.

The surname appears in various forms and spellings over centuries. In some historical texts, it appears as "Zabawa" or "Zabawy," reflecting variations in regional dialects and phonetic interpretations. This variation is not uncommon in Polish nomenclature, as spelling standardization was not fully established at the time these records were made.

Jerzy Zabawa, a notable figure from the 18th century, was a merchant based in Warsaw and played a significant role in regional trade networks. Another important historical figure, Anna Zabawa, born around 1765, was a prominent midwife in the Lublin region, renowned for her contributions to maternal and child health during a period when medical practices were still developing.

In the 19th century, the name appears in various documentation related to political and social movements. For instance, Jan Zabawa, born in 1825, was a minor noble involved in the January Uprising of 1863 against Russian rule. His participation and subsequent imprisonment were well-documented in Polish historical annals.

The surname continued to appear in significant historical contexts into the early 20th century. Antoni Zabawa, a soldier documented in the Polish–Soviet War of 1919-1921, was another prominent bearer of this last name. His military service contributed to the re-establishment of Poland's independence following World War I.

In summary, the surname Zabawa offers a rich historical tapestry that reflects the social, economic, and political changes in Poland over several centuries. It stands as a testament to the cultural and historical evolution of Polish society, with numerous individuals bearing the name contributing to various aspects of Polish history.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Zabawa

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

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 Zabawa 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.

Since we have data from the previous census in 2000, we can also compare the values to see how the popularity of Zabawa has changed in the 10 years between the two census surveys.

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

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

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