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

Zapala, 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 Zapala surname is from the 2000 census data.

Popularity of Zapala in America

Zapala is the 133114th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Zapala surname appeared 117 times in the 2000 census and if you were to sample 100,000 people in the United States, approximately 0 people would have the surname Zapala.

The history of the last name Zapala

The surname Zapala has its origins in the southeastern region of Poland, known historically as Galicia. This area was under the Austro-Hungarian Empire's influence in the late 18th and 19th centuries, which was a time of significant immigration and cultural blending. The name appears to be derived from the Polish word "zapała," which means "burnt" or "scorched," possibly indicating a family's association with a place that had been burned down or with a profession involving fire or heat such as blacksmithing or baking.

Early mentions of the Zapala surname can be traced back to the 17th century in local Polish records. One notable record dates back to 1643, where a Stanisław Zapała is mentioned in the church archives of Kraków. This suggests that the name was already established by this time and possibly held by families of some means, considering its appearance in formal records. In historical manuscripts, the name sometimes appears with slight variations in spelling, such as Zapała or Zapalla, but these are believed to signify the same familial lineage.

In the mid-18th century, the surname appears in the records of the town of Nowy Sącz, located in the Lesser Poland Voivodeship. Michał Zapała, born in 1723, is documented as a prominent merchant and community leader. His presence in the town's tax records from 1764 indicates the family's sustained socioeconomic status in the region.

By the 19th century, several members of the Zapala family had started to gain recognition. One such individual was Jan Zapała, born in 1802, who served as a local magistrate in Tarnów. His contributions to local governance and community development were well documented, with records showing his involvement in public works and educational reforms during the 1840s.

In the late 19th century, Józef Zapała, born in 1867, emerged as a notable figure in the realm of music. He was a composer and musician who traveled extensively throughout Europe, promoting Polish folk music. His works were published and performed in various cultural hubs including Vienna and Paris, significantly contributing to the Polish cultural renaissance of the time.

Another noteworthy individual bearing the surname was Maria Zapała, born in 1893. A philanthropist and social worker, she was instrumental in founding orphanages and schools for war orphans following World War I. Her efforts were recognized by several humanitarian organizations, and she received numerous accolades for her work in child welfare.

The surname Zapala, with its historical roots in Poland and associations with notable figures in various fields, reflects a rich cultural heritage. It provides a fascinating glimpse into the lives and contributions of the people who bore this name over the centuries.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Zapala

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

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 2000 census data, the race/ethnic origin breakdown for Zapala 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.

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

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

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