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

Zarkos, 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 Zarkos surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Zarkos in America

Zarkos is the 159712th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Zarkos surname appeared 101 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 Zarkos.

The history of the last name Zarkos

The surname Zarkos is believed to have its origins in Greece, dating back to medieval times. It likely originates from a region in Greece where mountainous terrains and remote villages were common. The name itself might have been derived from an ancient Greek word or possibly from a local dialect that denoted a specific attribute, profession, or geographic location.

One possible etymology for the surname Zarkos could be linked to the word "zarka," which, in some Slavic languages, refers to a "dawn" or "daybreak." Given the interactions and migrations between Greek and Slavic populations, it is plausible that such linguistic elements could blend into regional surnames. Additionally, "Zark" or "Zarak" could have been a root word indicating strength, stone, or rock, emphasizing the robust and resilient characteristics of families bearing this name.

The name Zarkos appears in historical records from the Byzantine period, suggesting that individuals with this surname held positions in local administration or landownership. Manuscripts from the 14th century make reference to a landowner named Nikolaos Zarkos, noted for his contributions to agricultural development in the Thessalian plain. Nikolaos Zarkos was mentioned in a land grant dated 1376, underscoring the family's established presence in the region.

In the 15th century, a notable figure named Dimitrios Zarkos, born in 1420 and deceased in 1500, played a significant role in the community as a merchant and naval trader. Dimitrios expanded his family’s influence by engaging in commerce across the Aegean Sea, facilitating trade between Greek islands and mainland ports.

Another prominent historical figure with this surname was Ioannis Zarkos, an intellectual and scholar born in 1585. Ioannis was known for his work in translating ancient Greek texts into Latin, making significant contributions to the preservation and dissemination of classical knowledge during the Renaissance.

In the 18th century, Theodoros Zarkos, an officer born in 1742, was instrumental in several uprisings against Ottoman rule. He became a local hero in Epirus for his courageous leadership in the fight for Greek independence. Theodoros’s death in 1821 during the Greek War of Independence marked him as a martyr in the struggle for national sovereignty.

By the 19th century, the surname Zarkos had been carried by individuals across various professional fields. Alexandros Zarkos, born in 1845, was a renowned physician and philanthropist. His work in public health policies in Athens led to significant improvements in sanitation and epidemic control.

These historical figures and their respective contributions not only highlight the diverse roles individuals with the surname Zarkos played over the centuries but also underscore the name’s longevity and adaptation through social and political changes. The legacy of the Zarkos surname is thus interwoven through Greek history, reflecting a narrative of resilience, intellect, and leadership.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Zarkos

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

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

If you have a correction or suggestion to improve the history of Zarkos, 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!