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

Zarek, 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 Zarek surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Zarek in America

Zarek is the 63524th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Zarek surname appeared 314 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 Zarek.

We can also compare 2010 data for Zarek 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 Zarek

The surname Zarek has its origins in Eastern Europe, primarily from Poland, although it has spread throughout the region, including areas of modern-day Czech Republic and Slovakia. The earliest historical references to the name date back to the medieval period, where it appears in various forms and spellings in ancient records.

The name Zarek is derived from the Polish word "Zara", which means "to dawn" or "beginning". It is thought to be a diminutive or affectionate form related to the concepts of new beginnings and dawn. The suffix "ek" is a common diminutive in Polish, indicating a small or beloved person. As such, Zarek can be interpreted to mean "little dawn" or "new beginning".

One of the earliest recorded instances of the surname appears in the 13th century in the region that is today known as Poland. Historical documents from this period, such as land records and manorial rolls, occasionally showcase the surname in varying forms like Zarecki or Zarowicz. These variations reflect the phonetic transliterations of the time and suggest that the name was borne by individuals of different social standing.

In the 15th century, a notable figure with the surname Zarek was Jan Zarek, a minor nobleman who participated in the Battle of Grunwald in 1410, a pivotal encounter during the Polish-Lithuanian-Teutonic War. His name appears in the annals of Polish history as a brave and loyal supporter of the Polish crown.

During the late 16th and early 17th centuries, the name Zarek appeared more frequently in legal documents and parish registers. One significant individual was Katarzyna Zarek, born in 1592 in Krakow, who was recorded in church records as a benefactor to several ecclesiastical institutions. Her contributions to local parishes and monasteries were well-documented, indicating the family’s rising social influence.

In the 18th century, Wojciech Zarek, born in 1724 in Warsaw, made a name for himself as a prominent craftsman. He was known for his exceptional skills in wood carving and his works can be found in several churches throughout Poland. Wojciech’s achievements contributed to the cultural heritage of the region, and his legacy continued through his apprentices.

The surname also appears in historical references outside Poland, especially in the neighboring regions. For example, in the early 19th century, Josef Zarek, a political dissident from the Austro-Hungarian Empire, was notable for his involvement in the revolutionary movements of 1848. His activities were detailed in several governmental reports and he was known for advocating for nationalist causes.

Another 19th-century figure, Anna Zarek, born in 1833 in the Silesian region, was a social activist and philanthropist. She founded numerous educational initiatives aimed at improving literacy and vocational training for women. Her efforts were widely recognized and she received commendations from several local governments.

Throughout history, the surname Zarek has been associated with individuals who have made significant contributions to their societies, whether in warfare, craftsmanship, social activism, or philanthropy. This surname, originating from the evocative notion of dawn and new beginnings, encapsulates a legacy of hope and renewal.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Zarek

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

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

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

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