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

Zalenski, 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 Zalenski surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Zalenski in America

Zalenski is the 38754th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Zalenski surname appeared 570 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 Zalenski.

We can also compare 2010 data for Zalenski 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 Zalenski

The surname Zalenski finds its origins in Eastern Europe, specifically in Poland. The name first emerged during the late Middle Ages when family names were becoming more formalized across Europe. It is likely derived from the Polish term "zielony," meaning green, or from "Zaleskie," indicating an association with forested areas. Given Poland's lush landscapes and rich forestry, it is plausible that the name was initially applied to individuals or families living near or managing forested lands.

Historical records from the 15th and 16th centuries offer some of the earliest references to variants of the Zalenski surname. One of the oldest instances is found in a 1545 Polish document listing a Miroslav Zalenski, a minor noble, who owned lands in the Lesser Poland region. During this period, the spelling of surnames was highly inconsistent, with variations like Zalensky, Zielinski, and Zelenski appearing in various texts.

The first recorded birth with the surname Zalenski was Jan Zalenski, born in 1603 in Kraków. He later became a respected merchant and was mentioned in municipal records for major trade activities between Poland and the Baltic states. His success enabled him to establish a small dynasty, and his descendants carried the name into subsequent centuries.

In the 18th century, the surname Zalenski appears in records from the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth. Józef Zalenski, born in 1721, became notable for his participation in the confederation movements and served as a military officer during the Bar Confederation against Russian influence. His contributions are documented in military correspondences from the era, showcasing the family's continued prominence.

The 19th century saw another influential figure, Kazimierz Zalenski, born in 1802. He was a prominent composer and pianist, who contributed significantly to Polish culture. His works, some of which are housed in the National Library of Poland, reflect the romantic era’s musical trends and nationalistic fervor. Kazimierz's legacy is often cited in studies on Polish music history.

In the early 20th century, Helena Zalenski, born in 1885, emerged as a pioneering figure in Polish feminist literature. Her works focused on women's rights and the socio-political landscape of Poland leading up to and following World War I. Helena's writing has been preserved in several anthologies, marking her as an important literary figure.

Through the centuries, the surname Zalenski has undergone various adaptations and has been borne by numerous individuals who contributed to different facets of Eastern European culture and history. These examples underscore the surname’s deep historical roots and the notable legacy of those who carried it.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Zalenski

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

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

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

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