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

Zalar, 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 Zalar surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Zalar in America

Zalar is the 48995th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Zalar surname appeared 430 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 Zalar.

We can also compare 2010 data for Zalar 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 Zalar

The surname Zalar has its origins in Slovenia, a country in Central Europe known for its mountainous terrain and rich cultural heritage. Historical evidence suggests the name dates back to the medieval period, roughly around the 13th to 15th centuries. It is particularly associated with regions where the Slovenian population has historically resided—areas within present-day Slovenia and parts of neighboring Italy and Austria.

The surname Zalar is believed to derive from the Slovenian word “zal” meaning “handsome” or “strong,” combined with the Germanic suffix "ar," which was used to denote people or associated characteristics. The name could be indicative of a person who was considered strong or handsome, traits often valued in medieval societies.

Historical records of the surname Zalar first appeared in local documents and church registries. For instance, a family by the name of Zalar is mentioned in the archives of the town of Kranj, dating back to the early 1500s. These records primarily involved land transactions, tax lists, and parish records.

One notable early bearer of the surname was Jakov Zalar, born in 1572, who served as a local council member in Ljubljana, contributing to the city's governance during the late 16th century. His work is documented in municipal records, highlighting his contributions to local administration.

In the 17th century, the name appears in various military records, such as those of Franz Zalar, a soldier enlisted in the Habsburg army around 1625. These records detail his service in several campaigns, illustrating the geographical mobility and diverse roles individuals with the surname undertook.

Moving into the 18th century, Anton Zalar, born in 1710, became a well-known figure in the region of Maribor. He was a merchant who engaged in extensive trade throughout the Austro-Hungarian Empire. Records from this period show economic activities and trade associations over vast regions, emphasizing the name's continued presence.

In the 19th century, the Zalar family gained recognition in various fields. A prominent figure was Ivan Zalar, born in 1823, who was a public intellectual and writer. His works contributing to Slovenian literature and cultural discourse are still referenced in many academic circles studying that era's regional history.

Another notable figure was Franc Zalar, born in 1856. He was a significant political figure in the area then known as the Duchy of Carniola, a part of the Austro-Hungarian Empire. His advocacy for Slovenian national rights and involvement in the political scene was well-documented in the historical records and publications of that period.

Through the centuries, the surname Zalar continued to appear in various records and documents, illustrating the enduring legacy of families bearing this name. It has connections to numerous historical events and periods, reflecting the sociopolitical dynamics and cultural developments of the regions where Slovenian communities have resided.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Zalar

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

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

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

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