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

Zajdel, 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 Zajdel surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Zajdel in America

Zajdel is the 40554th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Zajdel surname appeared 539 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 Zajdel.

We can also compare 2010 data for Zajdel 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 Zajdel

The surname Zajdel traces its origins to Poland, with roots embedded deeply in the Slavic languages. Emerging during the medieval period, the name is believed to have originated from a diminutive or nickname derived from the Polish word "zajac," meaning "hare." This word itself has its origins in Old Slavic languages, indicating that the name could signify some characteristic associated with the animal, such as swiftness or agility.

Various spellings and variations of the surname have been recorded over the centuries. In ancient records, one might find variations such as Zajdel, Zaydell, or even Seidel in different regions due to phonetic interpretations over time. The earliest known references to the name can be found in medieval Polish manuscripts and church records, dating as far back as the 14th century.

One notable historical figure with this surname is Jakub Zajdel, a Polish nobleman born in 1460, who served in the court of Casimir IV Jagiellon. Jakub Zajdel's significant contributions to Polish noble society during this period highlight the name's early association with prominence and service.

Another early recorded individual was Marcin Zajdel, a scholar from Kraków, born in 1522. He was known for his extensive work in mathematics and natural sciences, making significant contributions to the intellectual community of his time. Records from the University of Kraków archives indicate that Marcin Zajdel was an esteemed lecturer and author of several treatises.

Moving forward to the 17th century, Elzbieta Zajdel, born in 1604, was a prominent landowner in the Wielkopolska region. Her name appears in various legal documents regarding the management and transfer of her estates, providing insights into the economic activities of the time. Elzbieta’s management skills earned her recognition and respect within her community.

In the 19th century, the name is notably associated with Janusz Zajdel, born in 1857, an influential figure in Polish politics during the period of partitioned Poland. His involvement in various nationalist movements and efforts to regain Polish independence made him a notable personality among his contemporaries. His letters and political essays are preserved in historical archives, reflecting the zeitgeist of national resistance.

A more contemporary historical figure, though not from recent times, is Janusz A. Zajdel, one of Poland's most acclaimed science fiction writers, born in 1938 and passing away in 1985. His works, such as "Limes Inferior" and "Paradyzja," have left a lasting impact on Polish literature, and in his honor, a prestigious sci-fi literary award called the Zajdel Award was established.

These individuals and historical records provide a rich tapestry illustrating the varied and impactful legacy of the surname Zajdel across centuries, highlighting its significance within Polish culture and history.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Zajdel

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

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

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

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