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

Zambo, 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 Zambo surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Zambo in America

Zambo is the 60636th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Zambo surname appeared 332 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 Zambo.

We can also compare 2010 data for Zambo 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 Zambo

The surname Zambo has roots tracing back to the Iberian Peninsula, particularly Spain and Portugal, and is believed to have emerged between the 15th and 16th centuries. The name is derived from the Spanish term "zambo," which historically referred to a person of mixed African and Indigenous American ancestry or one with knock-knees. This descriptive term found its way into the lexicon during the era of the Spanish Empire and the Age of Exploration when European colonists began documenting diverse populations in their New World colonies.

Zambo may also have links to Moorish influence on the Iberian Peninsula. During the Reconquista, when Christian kingdoms were gradually reclaiming territories from Muslim rule, a blending of languages and cultures occurred. The term zambo could have been adopted from Arabic origins, reflecting the mixed heritage common among the populations of the Iberian Peninsula during this period.

Historical references to the surname Zambo are sparse, but one notable mention can be found in a 16th century Spanish census from the province of Extremadura. Early records indicate families bearing this surname settled in various regions, including Andalusia and Castilla-La Mancha. These regions were known for their cultural diversity and the blending of different ethnic communities, fitting the descriptive nature of the surname.

The earliest known individuals bearing the surname Zambo include Francisco Zambo, a Spanish merchant who appeared in tax records from Seville in 1587. Another early figure is Pedro Zambo, documented in the archives of the Spanish Inquisition in Toledo around 1593, suggesting the name was not limited to any particular social class. Records from 1602 mention Maria Zambo in Lisbon, Portugal, indicating the surname's presence beyond Spain.

The surname Zambo also made its way to the New World during the colonial era. One prominent individual is Juan Zambo, a soldier who participated in the conquest of Peru in the early 16th century. His exploits are detailed in several chronicles of the time, including the writings of Pedro Cieza de León. Another noteworthy figure is Catalina Zambo, a mestizo woman who became a prominent landowner in colonial Mexico around 1650, showcasing the surname's reach into colonial society.

By the 18th century, individuals with the surname Zambo had established themselves in various parts of the Spanish and Portuguese empires. For instance, Gabriel Zambo, born in 1723 in Cartagena, Colombia, became a notable figure in the shipping industry. Similarly, Antonio Zambo, who served as a colonial official in the Philippines during the mid-1700s, highlights the name's geographical spread across the global territories governed by Spain and Portugal.

Overall, the surname Zambo is rich with historical context, reflecting both the complex socio-cultural fabric of its origins and the global movements during the Age of Exploration. The individuals who bore this name played varied roles in their respective societies, from soldiers and merchants to landowners and officials, illustrating the name's broad historical significance.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Zambo

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

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

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

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