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

Zam, 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 Zam surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Zam in America

Zam is the 95115th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Zam surname appeared 192 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 Zam.

We can also compare 2010 data for Zam 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 Zam

The surname Zam has a complex and varied history, with its origins likely rooted in the Persian language and found predominantly in Iran. The name might derive from the Persian word "zam," meaning earth or land, reflecting a deep connection with the land or the occupation of farming. Its earliest forms can be traced back to the ancient Persian civilization.

Historical references to the surname Zam are sparse but noteworthy. The name appears in medieval Persian manuscripts and historical records, particularly in the region of greater Iran, which includes present-day Iran, parts of Iraq, the Caucasus, and Central Asia. An early recorded example of the surname Zam can be found in a 12th-century Persian manuscript by the historian Nezami Aruzi who mentioned a notable landowner named Faridun Zam.

One of the most prominent individuals bearing the name Zam is Ali Zam, a 14th-century Persian poet born in 1325 and known for his literary contributions to classical Persian poetry. His works often centered around themes of nature and rural life, reflecting the etymology of his surname.

The surname Zam also appears in historical records of the Safavid dynasty in the 16th century. A court official named Amir Zam, born in 1540, played a significant role in the administration of the Safavid Empire. His contributions to the governance of the empire are noted in the chronicles of Safavid historians.

In the 19th century, the name Zam was borne by Bahram Zam, an influential merchant from Tabriz, Iran, born in 1815. He was instrumental in establishing trade routes between Persia and the Ottoman Empire, thereby contributing to the economic development of the region.

Another historical figure is Parviz Zam, a military commander who served during the Qajar dynasty in the early 20th century. Born in 1875, Parviz Zam was known for his strategic acumen and played a pivotal role in several key battles that shaped the modern borders of Iran.

Tracing the surname Zam through history offers a glimpse into the cultural and social dynamics of Persian society. The name's association with land and occupation suggests a lineage deeply intertwined with agrarian practices and governance, emphasizing the connection between nomenclature and societal roles in ancient and medieval Persia.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Zam

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

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

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

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