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

Zarazúa, 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 Zarazúa surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Zarazúa in America

Zarazúa is the 17958th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Zarazúa surname appeared 1,556 times in the 2010 census and if you were to sample 100,000 people in the United States, approximately 1 people would have the surname Zarazúa.

We can also compare 2010 data for Zarazúa 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 Zarazúa

The surname Zarazua has its origins in the Basque region of Spain, dating back to the early Middle Ages. The Basque Country, which lies in the northern part of Spain and southwestern France, is known for its unique language and distinct cultural heritage. The general timeframe for the emergence of this surname can be placed around the 12th century, a period marked by the consolidation of family names in Europe.

Zarazua is derived from the Basque words "zara" meaning "valley" and "zua" meaning "wood" or "forest." This suggests that the original bearers of the name were likely inhabitants or owners of a wooded valley. Alternative spellings, such as Zarazu, have also been recorded over time, but Zarazua remains the most recognized form.

Historical references to the surname Zarazua are relatively sparse, but some documentation can be found in local Basque archives and church records. For instance, an old manuscript mentions a certain Juan de Zarazua who was a landowner in the region during the 14th century. Similarly, the Zarazua family appears in ecclesiastical records detailing baptisms, marriages, and burials, showcasing their long-standing presence in the area.

The earliest recorded example of the surname dates back to the 1291 parish records in Gipuzkoa, one of the provinces in the Basque Country. This entry mentions Martín de Zarazua, a notable figure who contributed to local economic activities through his agricultural ventures.

The name continued to gain prominence over the centuries. One notable individual is Domingo de Zarazua, born around 1670, who served as a captain in the Spanish army. He played a significant role in various military campaigns during the late 17th century and was known for his strategic acumen.

Another famous person bearing this last name is María de Zarazua, born in 1765, who gained recognition as a patron of the arts in Bilbao. Her contributions to local theater and music were widely acknowledged, and she remains a celebrated figure in Basque cultural history.

In the 19th century, Pedro Zarazua is documented as an influential political figure in northern Spain. Born in 1832, he was instrumental in local government reforms and held several important administrative positions until his death in 1898.

Andrés Zarazua, born in 1921, was a well-respected scholar specializing in Basque linguistics and history. His extensive research and publications on the origins and development of Basque surnames have been invaluable to the field of onomatology. He passed away in 1997, leaving behind a rich legacy of academic work.

The surname Zarazua, with its deep roots in the Basque Country and its evocative meaning, paints a vivid picture of its bearers' connection to the land. Its historical journey through centuries of social and cultural changes adds an enriching layer to our understanding of this unique surname.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Zarazúa

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

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

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

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