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

Zalis, 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 Zalis surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Zalis in America

Zalis is the 90113th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Zalis surname appeared 205 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 Zalis.

We can also compare 2010 data for Zalis 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 Zalis

The surname Zalis is believed to have its origins in Eastern Europe, particularly within the regions that are now modern-day Poland and Lithuania. The earliest known instances of the name date back to the medieval period, possibly as early as the 13th or 14th century. The name Zalis likely derives from Slavic roots, with possible connections to the old Polish word "Zal," which means "lament" or "regret," indicating a historical context where surnames often portrayed emotions or traits.

One of the earliest recorded appearances of the Zalis surname can be found in a 14th-century manuscript from the Grand Duchy of Lithuania, where a noble family bearing the name is mentioned in association with land grants and political affairs. This family was noted for their involvement in the ongoing efforts to fortify their holdings against the encroachments of neighboring Teutonic Knights.

By the 15th century, the name Zalis began to appear in Polish chivalric records, particularly in the region of Mazovia. A notable figure from this period was Jan Zalis, a minor noble born around 1430, who served as a knight under Duke Władysław II. Documentation from that time highlights Jan's participation in several battles aimed at defending Polish territories.

In the 17th century, the name Zalis appears in the court records of Vilnius. One prominent individual, Aleksander Zalis, born in 1655, was a well-regarded legal scholar and served as a judge in the high courts of the Lithuanian Commonwealth. His legal writings and judgments were influential in the development of the region’s jurisprudence.

Another historical figure of note is Katarzyna Zalis, a poet and writer from the late 18th century, born in 1772. Her works, which often delved into themes of national identity and personal sorrow, garnered significant attention, contributing to the Romantic literary movement in Poland and Lithuania.

The Zalis surname appears in the records of the 19th-century Polish national uprisings. Antoni Zalis, born in 1823, was a freedom fighter who participated in the November Uprising against the Russian Empire. His contributions to the insurgent efforts included both combat and the provisioning of intelligence, and he is remembered in regional histories for his bravery and determination.

In the early 20th century, the Zalis family name is represented by Dr. Maria Zalis, born in 1890, a distinguished medical professional and early advocate for women’s health in Poland. Her efforts in public health and her writings on medical practices significantly advanced the understanding and treatment of various diseases.

Each of these historical figures with the Zalis surname provides a glimpse into the varied and rich heritage associated with this name. Their contributions across different fields and periods reflect the enduring legacy and widespread impact of individuals bearing the Zalis surname.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Zalis

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

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

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

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