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

Zahora, 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 Zahora surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Zahora in America

Zahora is the 100791st most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Zahora surname appeared 179 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 Zahora.

We can also compare 2010 data for Zahora 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 Zahora

The surname Zahora is believed to have its origins in Eastern Europe, primarily from the regions that are now parts of the Czech Republic and Slovakia. The earliest records suggest that the name could have been derived from a topographical feature or a specific location, as "zahora" means "behind the mountain" in some Slavic languages. This etymology indicates that early bearers of the surname likely lived near or behind a notable geographical elevation.

Historically, the name Zahora appears in various forms in medieval records and documents from the region. During the Middle Ages, it was common for surnames to be descriptive of the individual's location, occupation, or physical characteristics. For instance, in a 14th-century Bohemian manuscript, a reference is made to a "Jan Zahora," likely indicating a person living in or from a village situated behind a significant hill or mountain.

One of the earliest recorded examples of the surname is Jacob Zahora, a landowner mentioned in municipal records of Prague in 1519. This indicates that the name was already well-established by the Renaissance period. Over time, the surname has appeared in slightly varied forms, including Zahorka and Zahorak, which may be attributed to regional dialects and the evolution of the language.

Another notable individual bearing the surname was Katarina Zahora (1620-1698), a prominent figure in the local history of what is now Slovakia. Documents from the mid-17th century detail her involvement in several land disputes and her subsequent rise to a position of local influence, showcasing the surname in historical legal proceedings.

In the 18th century, records show that the surname spread beyond rural areas. Anton Zahora (1753-1812) is noted in archival materials as a merchant in the bustling city of Brno, illustrating the name's transition from a rural to an urban context. His business dealings were documented in trade logs and city directories, indicating a shift in the socioeconomic status of individuals with the surname.

The 19th century saw the name Zahora appear in various emigration records as families moved from Europe to the Americas. Among these emigrants was Stefan Zahora (1825-1889), who settled in New York in 1854. Records from Ellis Island and subsequent U.S. census data highlight his contributions to the local community as a successful butcher, marking the surname's entrance into the New World.

Joseph Zahora (1858-1932), another significant bearer of the surname, became a noted academic in Vienna, specializing in Slavic linguistics. His publications on the linguistic roots and variations of Slavic names, including his own, provide valuable insights into the historical context and dissemination of the surname.

Throughout history, the surname Zahora has not only been a marker of geographical and familial identity but has also adapted to various social and economic changes. Its presence in historical records from land ownership documents to academic publications underlines its enduring legacy in Eastern European heritage.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Zahora

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

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

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

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