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

Zarat, 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 Zarat surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Zarat in America

Zarat is the 143149th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Zarat surname appeared 116 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 Zarat.

The history of the last name Zarat

The surname Zarat is believed to originate from the Iberian Peninsula, specifically within the regions that are now Spain and Portugal. The earliest recorded instances of this surname date back to the medieval period, particularly the 12th and 13th centuries. During this time, the Arabian influence on the Iberian Peninsula was quite significant, and many surnames from this era reflect a combination of Arabic, Latin, and Iberian linguistic elements.

The name Zarat is thought to derive from the Arabic word "zarat," which means "visit" or "to visit." This might indicate that the original bearers of the name were associated with trade, travel, or had roles that involved a lot of movement, such as messengers or envoys. In the context of medieval Iberia, this could reflect the intercultural exchanges between Muslim and Christian populations. The name could possibly be related to place names or regions where such interactions were common.

The oldest known record of the Zarat surname appears in a 13th-century manuscript detailing transactions and agreements in the region of Castile, a historical area in Spain. Specifically, a document from 1234 mentions a Juan de Zarat, who was involved in land deals near what is now modern-day Toledo. This indicates that the name was established and recognized in legal and social contexts by this time.

In the subsequent centuries, the name appears sporadically in various regions of Spain. For instance, a Pedro Zarat was documented as a soldier in the military campaigns of the Reconquista during the late 14th century, particularly around the year 1378. His contributions in the battles against the Moors in southern Spain were noted in military records held in the archives of Seville.

Another prominent figure was Diego Zarat, a 15th-century nobleman born in 1432 who played a significant role in the early Spanish explorations of the New World. Diego's name appears in the annals of the court of King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella, making him a notable figure in the age of exploration.

The surname also has a presence in ecclesiastical records from the 16th century. An Isabel de Zarat is mentioned as a nun in a convent in Valencia, with records showing her active involvement in church activities from 1560 until her death in 1592. Her correspondence and administrative records provide a glimpse into the religious life and the social structure of the time.

In the early 17th century, Fernando Zarat, a scholar and humanist, was noted for his contributions to literature and philosophy in Madrid. Born in 1590, Fernando authored several treatises on ethics and metaphysics, with his works influencing contemporary philosophical thought until his death in 1653.

Overall, the surname Zarat has a rich and diverse history, deeply embedded in the social, military, religious, and intellectual fabric of medieval and early modern Spain. The name's presence in various regions and contexts over the centuries highlights its enduring legacy and the varied roles its bearers have played in history.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Zarat

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

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

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

Reference this page

We spend a lot of resources downloading, cleaning, merging, and formatting the data that is shown on the site.

If you found the data or information on this page useful in your research, please use the tool below to properly cite or reference Name Census as the source. We appreciate your support!