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

Zarra, 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 Zarra surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Zarra in America

Zarra is the 53419th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Zarra surname appeared 387 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 Zarra.

We can also compare 2010 data for Zarra 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 Zarra

The surname Zarra has its origins in the Iberian Peninsula, specifically within the regions that now comprise modern-day Spain and Portugal. The first recorded appearances of the surname date back to the medieval period, likely between the 12th and 14th centuries. The name is of Basque origin, stemming from the word "zarra" meaning "old." Basque surnames often describe geographical features or characteristics, suggesting the name may initially have been used to describe someone who lived near an old landmark or was of notable age or lineage within the community.

In historical documents, the name Zarra can be found in various spellings, such as Zarraa or Zarrauz, depending on the phonetic and orthographic conventions of the time. Early records indicate that the name was relatively localized, with the highest concentrations found in the Basque provinces of Gipuzkoa and Navarre. The name appears in medieval municipal records, parish registers, and legal documents from these areas.

One of the earliest recorded individuals with the surname Zarra was Xabier Zarra, who lived in the 14th century and is documented in municipal tax records from 1375 in Bilbao, a city in the Basque Country. He was noted as a prominent landowner, which suggests that the family might have held some social standing.

Moving forward to the 15th century, the name appears in the context of the Reconquista, where a notable figure, Iñigo Zarra, was recorded as a knight. Iñigo Zarra participated in the campaign of Granada, serving under the Catholic Monarchs Ferdinand II of Aragon and Isabella I of Castile. His contributions to the military efforts were documented in military rolls from 1492, emphasizing his significant role in Spanish history.

The name also makes an appearance in the New World during the era of Spanish exploration. Juan de Zarra, born in 1530 and sailed with the Spanish Armada to the Americas in 1565, played a part in the establishment of early Spanish colonies in what is now Florida. His name is mentioned in letters and dispatches sent back to Spain, detailing the challenges and experiences of the early colonists.

In the literary world, Marta Zarra, a 17th-century writer from Navarre (born 1623, died 1674), left a lasting mark with her poetry and essays. Her works, many of which remain archived in Spanish libraries, provide insight into the cultural and social milieu of her time.

Another notable historical figure is Eduardo Zarra, a politician and activist in the 19th century who was born in 1838 in Bilbao and died in 1902. He was actively involved in the Carlist Wars, a series of civil wars in Spain, and played a key role in negotiating terms between warring factions. His political endeavors are documented in governmental records and biographical accounts of the Carlist Wars.

Throughout history, the name Zarra remained relatively uncommon but consistently present in the Basque region and until today, individuals bearing this surname reflect a deep connection to their heritage and history.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Zarra

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

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

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

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