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

Zakarian, 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 Zakarian surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Zakarian in America

Zakarian is the 30863rd most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Zakarian surname appeared 754 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 Zakarian.

We can also compare 2010 data for Zakarian 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 Zakarian

The surname Zakarian originates from the region known today as Armenia, with historical roots that can be traced back to the medieval kingdoms of the Caucasus. The name likely emerged during the 12th or 13th centuries, a period marked by the rise and fall of various Armenian principalities and the continual shifting of territorial borders in the region. Zakarian is derived from the Armenian word "Zakaria," which means "God has remembered." This connects to the Hebrew name Zechariah, integrating the rich tapestry of linguistic and cultural exchanges in the region.

Historical records indicate the Zakarian name first gained prominence through the Zakarian-Mxargrdzeli dynasty, an influential noble family in medieval Armenia and Georgia. The Zakarian family played a crucial role during the reign of Queen Tamar of Georgia (1184-1213). One of the earliest documented figures within this family was Ivane Zakarian, a noble and military commander who was born in the mid-12th century. Ivane and his brother Zakare led significant campaigns to recapture Armenian lands from the Seljuk Turks, restoring them under the control of the Georgian crown.

Manuscripts and historical documents from the 12th and 13th centuries frequently reference the Zakarian family, indicating their governance over various regions in Armenia and parts of Georgia. A well-known manuscript from this period is the history written by the Armenian chronicler Stephen Orbelian, which mentions the Zakarian family’s endeavors and military achievements.

In the early 13th century, Zakare Zakarian, a prominent military commander and statesman, also came into the limelight. Born around 1160, Zakare served under Queen Tamar and played a pivotal role in expanding the Georgian kingdom's territories. He was known for his strategic acumen and managed to secure several fortresses and key cities, such as Ani, the former capital of Armenia.

As centuries passed, the Zakarian family continued to influence regional politics. A notable mention is Melik Zakarian, a descendant involved in the 17th-century struggles against Ottoman encroachments into Armenian lands. His leadership and resistance are recorded in numerous local chronicles of the time.

Garegin Zakarian, born in the 18th century, served as an influential Armenian cleric and scholar. His writings contributed significantly to Armenian theological literature, and he played a role in the educational movements within the Armenian Apostolic Church.

Another distinguished figure is the 20th-century Armenian-American chef and television personality Geoffrey Zakarian. Born in 1959, he became a renowned chef, restaurateur, and television personality, bringing modern twists to classical American cuisine with an emphasis on high-quality ingredients. His contributions to the culinary world have made the Zakarian name well-known in contemporary culture.

The surname Zakarian, with its deep historical and cultural significance, continues to be a testament to the legacy of an influential family that helped shape the medieval political landscape of Armenia and Georgia.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Zakarian

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

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

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

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