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

Zagar, 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 Zagar surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Zagar in America

Zagar is the 29422nd most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Zagar surname appeared 803 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 Zagar.

We can also compare 2010 data for Zagar 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 Zagar

The surname Zagar is primarily of Slavic origin, with roots tracing back to regions that are now part of Slovenia and Croatia. The name is believed to have emerged in the medieval period, likely between the 12th and 14th centuries. It is derived from the Slovenian and Croatian linguistic traditions, where the root word "zag-" suggests meanings associated with "behind" or "beyond", and could have been used to describe someone living beyond a prominent geographical feature such as a hill or forest.

Historical references to the name Zagar appear in various medieval records. An early mention can be found in the Ragusan archives, where documents from the 13th century list individuals bearing the name. In these documents, variations of the surname, including "Zagarevic" and "Zagrović," are noted, showing the evolution of the name over time.

The earliest recorded example of the surname Zagar in Slovenia features a 15th-century document mentioning one Ivan Zagar, a landowner in the region of Carniola, which is now part of Slovenia. Carniola was a significant historical territory of the Habsburg Monarchy, providing a fertile ground for the spread of the name.

Another notable figure in the 16th century was Marko Zagar, a Croatian nobleman who held lands in the region of Dalmatia. His name appears in legal documents concerning the distribution of estates and delineates the prominence of the Zagar family in this area during that period.

In common with many European surnames, Zagar also underwent various spellings and adaptations. In the 17th century, Petar Zagarovic, a prominent merchant, was documented in trade records from Dubrovnik, illustrating the name's prevalence in the commercial hubs of the Adriatic coast. His dealings extended as far as Venice, further embedding the Zagar name in regional history.

From the intellectual circles, Josip Zagar (1764–1825), a noted Croatian poet and writer, contributed significantly to the Croatian literary movement, adding a cultural and artistic heritage to the surname. Josip's works often explored themes of national identity and rural life, reflecting the origins of the name.

In military history, Colonel Luka Zagar (1789–1856) served in the Austrian Empire's army during the Napoleonic Wars. His military career is well-documented, with several commendations for bravery and strategy in battles across Europe.

Finally, Tomaž Zagar, active in the 19th century, was a pivotal figure during the Slovenian national revival movement. His efforts in advocating for the Slovenian language and culture left a lasting impact on the region's national identity. Historical records show his involvement in the establishment of the first Slovenian reading room in 1848.

Throughout history, the surname Zagar has evolved and spread beyond its initial geographic confines, reflecting the social, economic, and cultural dynamics of the regions it touched.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Zagar

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

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

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

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