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

Zarrabi, 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 Zarrabi surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Zarrabi in America

Zarrabi is the 66931st most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Zarrabi surname appeared 295 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 Zarrabi.

We can also compare 2010 data for Zarrabi 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 Zarrabi

The surname Zarrabi originates from the Middle East, specifically from Iran. The name can be traced back to the Persian language, rooted in the word "zarrab," which means "money changer" or "jeweler." During the medieval period, money-changing and jewelry-making were highly respected professions in Persian society, commonly associated with significant social standing. The suffix "i" denotes belonging or origin, suggesting that individuals with the surname Zarrabi likely belonged to a lineage or community involved in these trades.

The earliest known references to the surname date back to records from the Safavid Dynasty (1501-1736) in Iran when professions and trades began to be used more systematically as surnames. Historical manuscripts and trade records from this era often mention families with the name Zarrabi, particularly in regions such as Isfahan and Shiraz, centers of commerce and culture.

One of the earliest individuals recorded with this surname is Ahmad Zarrabi, a noted jeweler in Isfahan during the late 16th century. His works in silver and gold were highly sought after, and he frequently appeared in trade documents from that period. He played a significant role in the royal court, his pieces often being commissioned by the nobles and even by Shah Abbas I himself.

Another notable figure is Fatemeh Zarrabi, born in 1725, who was a prominent artisan in the city of Shiraz. Renowned for her intricate metalwork, she continued the family tradition, breaking norms as a woman in a predominantly male-dominated profession. Her works are cited in various contemporary accounts and remain preserved in Shiraz's local museums.

During the Qajar Dynasty (1789-1925), the name continued to be associated with jewelry and currency exchange. Murtaza Zarrabi was a famed money changer operating in Tehran during the early 19th century. Born in 1798, he was instrumental in aiding the financial transactions for merchants and traveled extensively between Persia and the Indian subcontinent, expanding his influence and securing a role in the economic development of the region.

In the 20th century, Reza Zarrabi, born in 1889, emerged as a philanthropist and cultural patron in Tehran. Descended from a long line of jewelers, he shifted focus towards education and the arts, founding several schools and sponsoring archaeological excavations in Iran. His contributions were pivotal during a period of significant political and social change, cementing the Zarrabi surname in the annals of Iranian cultural history.

The name also entered into academic circles with Dr. Ali Zarrabi, born in 1933, a distinguished historian whose works on Persian history are well-regarded internationally. His research on Safavid trade practices provided valuable insights into the historical significance of professions like money changing and jewelry, exemplifying the enduring legacy of the Zarrabi name through scholarly contribution.

In summary, the surname Zarrabi bears a rich historical tapestry woven with threads of professional expertise, cultural influence, and social contribution. Originating from the respected trades of money-changing and jewelry-making in Iran, it has been associated with significant individuals who left enduring marks on their professions and communities over centuries.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Zarrabi

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

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

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

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