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

Zapatka, 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 Zapatka surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Zapatka in America

Zapatka is the 78821st most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Zapatka surname appeared 242 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 Zapatka.

We can also compare 2010 data for Zapatka 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 Zapatka

The surname Zapatka likely has its origins in Central or Eastern Europe, specifically Poland. The name is believed to have surfaced during the late medieval period, around the 14th to 16th centuries. In these regions, the name was most commonly found and borne by families residing in rural villages and small towns.

The etymology of Zapatka indicates possible derivations from old Slavic words. One theory suggests a connection to the word "zapadka," which means "catch" or "latch" in Polish. This could imply that the name originally referred to a person who crafted or worked with latches and catches, indicating a trade or occupation. Variations in spellings such as Zapadka or Zapadkowski can be found in old records, underscoring its occupational roots.

One of the earliest documented mentions of a similar name appears in the 16th-century village registers of Masovian Voivodeship in Poland. This region was known for its artisanal craft workers, which aligns with the occupational theory of the surname’s origin. Archival records from 1592 show a Jan Zapadka listed as a blacksmith, indicating prominence in artisanal trades.

In the 17th century, the name began to spread across Poland and even into regions of modern-day Germany. Historical records from 1654 include Marcin Zapatka, who served as a land surveyor in the Greater Poland Voivodeship. His work in mapping and land assessments was notable in the development of rural communities.

Another significant figure with the Zapatka surname was Katarzyna Zapatka, born in 1710, a midwife known in Krakow for her contributions to local health practices. Well-documented in the town's registries, she provided valuable services to the community throughout her life, gaining local recognition before her death in 1784.

The name also appeared in Prussian military records during the 18th century. Antoni Zapatka, documented in 1798, served as an officer in the Royal Prussian Army. His involvement in several regional conflicts of the time is well-recorded, and he played a role in the military affairs up until his death in 1823.

Moving into the 19th century, the Zapatka surname can be traced to various parts of Europe. Another example is Stanislaw Zapatka, a notable scholar born in 1820 who contributed significantly to Slavic studies and linguistics. His works were published widely in academic circles, marking a peak in intellectual recognition for the surname.

By tracing these individuals and their contributions, the history and evolution of the surname Zapatka illustrate their integration and influence within European communities. This name has maintained a presence and variant spellings throughout history, reflecting a rich cultural and occupational background.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Zapatka

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

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

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

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