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

Zand, 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 Zand surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Zand in America

Zand is the 50196th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Zand surname appeared 417 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 Zand.

We can also compare 2010 data for Zand 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 Zand

The surname Zand is of Persian origin, primarily emerging during the 18th century in what is now modern-day Iran. The name is intricately linked to the Zand dynasty, which ruled Persia from 1751 to 1794. This surname is derived from the name of the tribe called the Zand tribe, which itself is rooted in an even more ancient lineage known to have inhabited the southwestern regions of Iran, particularly in the province of Luristan. The word Zand in Persian means "commentary" or "explanation," often linked to religious or philosophical texts.

One of the earliest notable figures with this surname was Karim Khan Zand (1705-1779), the founder of the Zand dynasty and one of Persia's most celebrated rulers. Karim Khan Zand is remembered for his policies that fostered a period of stability and economic prosperity following a time of considerable chaos and fragmentation in the region. His reign began in 1751 and continued until his death in 1779. Historical records and manuscripts frequently mention Karim Khan, establishing the name Zand within the annals of Persian history.

Following Karim Khan, another prominent individual was Lotf Ali Khan Zand (1769-1794), the last ruler of the Zand dynasty. Lotf Ali Khan took the throne in 1789 and is often remembered for his valor and tragic end. Despite his efforts to maintain the dynasty's power, he was eventually defeated by Mohammad Khan Qajar, leading to the fall of the Zand dynasty.

The name Zand appears in various historical documents, such as letters, treaties, and administrative records, throughout the period of the Zand dynasty's rule. These records not only document the political and military activities of the Zand rulers but also provide insights into the social, economic, and cultural conditions of Iran during the 18th century.

Another individual of note was Zand-e Noghreh, a lesser-known but historically significant figure from the same tribe, who served as an advisor and military leader during the early years of the dynasty. Though less documented than Karim Khan or Lotf Ali Khan, Zand-e Noghreh's contributions were crucial in consolidating the early power base of the dynasty.

In the 19th and early 20th centuries, the surname Zand persisted in Iran, passed down through the descendants of those who once served the Zand rulers or resided in the territories governed by them. One such individual was Mozaffar Zand, a 19th-century landowner and local leader who played a role in regional politics during the waning days of Qajar rule.

Additionally, another prominent person bearing the surname is Parviz Zand, an early 20th-century intellectual and political activist who was known for his literary contributions and outspoken views against political tyranny in Iran.

The surname Zand, therefore, carries with it a rich heritage tied to a significant period in Persian history, reflecting a legacy that has endured through centuries of political, social, and cultural transformations.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Zand

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

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

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

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