Zaczek last name popularity, history, and meaning

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

Meaning of Zaczek

A Polish surname likely derived from a diminutive form of "zacząć" meaning "to begin".

Zaczek, 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 Zaczek surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Zaczek in America

Zaczek is the 65593rd most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Zaczek surname appeared 302 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 Zaczek.

We can also compare 2010 data for Zaczek 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.

2010 2000 Change (%)
Rank 65593 59147 10.34%
Count 302 320 -5.79%
Proportion per 100k 0.10 0.12 -18.18%

The history of the last name Zaczek

The surname Zaczek has its origins in Poland, a country rich in history and cultural heritage. The name dates back to the medieval period and is particularly associated with the regions of Silesia and Greater Poland. Poland's complex history of partitions and shifting borders has influenced the dispersal and variations of the surname.

The etymology of Zaczek is rooted in the Polish language, where it is derived from the word "zaczek," a diminutive form of "zach," which means "wait" or "watch." This suggests that the surname may have initially been a nickname for a person who was known for their patience or watchfulness. Alternatively, it may have been used to describe someone who worked as a guardian or lookout.

Historical references to the Zaczek name appear in various old Polish records and manuscripts. One notable record is the 15th century municipal books of Poznań, where the name was listed among local citizens and craftsmen. Such early documentation points to the surname's presence and societal contributions during the Middle Ages.

The earliest recorded example of the Zaczek surname includes Jan Zaczek, a tradesman from Kraków, whose name appeared in a tax register from 1423. This instance underscores the economic activity and civic engagement associated with bearers of the name during that era. Another early figure is Piotr Zaczek, mentioned in the court documents of 1501 from the town of Gniezno, indicating the surname's spread across various locales within Poland.

Through the centuries, the name Zaczek has maintained its presence in Polish cultural and social life. A notable figure is Józef Zaczek (1790-1841), a Polish officer and national activist who took part in the November Uprising against Russian rule. His involvement in the struggle for Polish independence highlights the surname's connection to significant historical events.

In the modern period, Tadeusz Zaczek (1885-1950) emerged as an influential mathematician and educator in interwar Poland. His contributions to the field of mathematics and his role in shaping educational reforms have left a lasting legacy. Similarly, Kazimierz Zaczek (1899-1982), a renowned jurist and professor, played a pivotal role in the development of Polish legal scholarship.

The Zaczek surname is also linked to cultural achievements. For instance, Maria Zaczek (1927-2004), a famed painter, brought recognition to the name through her artistic works, which are celebrated in various Polish art galleries and exhibitions. Her creative legacy adds another dimension to the historical significance of the Zaczek name.

The historical journey of the Zaczek surname reveals its deep-rooted origins and multifaceted contributions across different realms of Polish society. From medieval records to participation in national struggles and advancements in academic and cultural fields, the name Zaczek encapsulates a rich heritage that continues to be remembered and honored.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Zaczek

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

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 Zaczek was:

Race/Ethnicity Percentage Total Occurrences
Non-Hispanic White Only 98.01% 296
Non-Hispanic Black Only 0.00% 0
Non-Hispanic Asian and Pacific Islander Only (S)% (S)
Non-Hispanic American Indian and Alaskan Native 0.00% 0
Non-Hispanic of Two or More Races (S)% (S)
Hispanic Origin (S)% (S)

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 Zaczek has changed in the 10 years between the two census surveys.

2010 2000 Change (%)
White 98.01% 98.75% -0.75%
Black 0.00% (S)% (S)%
Asian and Pacific Islander (S)% (S)% (S)%
American Indian and Alaskan Native 0.00% 0.00% 0.00%
Two or More Races (S)% (S)% (S)%
Hispanic (S)% 0.00% (S)%

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

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

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If you found the data or information on this page useful in your research, please use the tool below to properly cite or reference Name Census as the source. We appreciate your support!

"Zaczek last name popularity, history, and meaning". NameCensus.com. Accessed on November 22, 2024. http://namecensus.com/last-names/zaczek-surname-popularity/.

"Zaczek last name popularity, history, and meaning". NameCensus.com, http://namecensus.com/last-names/zaczek-surname-popularity/. Accessed 22 November, 2024

Zaczek last name popularity, history, and meaning. NameCensus.com. Retrieved from http://namecensus.com/last-names/zaczek-surname-popularity/.

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