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

Zarza, 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 Zarza surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Zarza in America

Zarza is the 42640th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Zarza surname appeared 508 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 Zarza.

We can also compare 2010 data for Zarza 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 Zarza

The surname Zarza finds its origins in Spain, with earliest references dating back to the Middle Ages. The name is derived from the Spanish word zarza, meaning "bramble" or "thornbush." It is an ornamental name likely used to describe someone who lived near a place covered in brambles or thorny bushes.

Zarza is originally from the regions of Castile and León in northern Spain. It appears in various medieval documents and ecclesiastical records, where it was noted for its association with rural and agricultural communities. The name often signified both the profession and geographical location of its bearers.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Zarza is found in the records of the Archbishopric of Toledo in the 12th century. This connection to a prominent religious institution highlights the name's historical and social significance during this period.

One notable figure bearing the surname is Juan de la Zarza, a 15th-century nobleman from Castile who played a key role in the political intrigues of King John II of Castile. He lived approximately from 1400 to 1460. His influence extended to both military and diplomatic arenas.

In the late 16th century, another significant person with this surname was Pedro Zarza, an artist and painter whose works were commissioned by several religious institutions in Seville. His contributions to the arts during this time reflect the cultural richness associated with the surname.

Moving into the 17th century, María de la Zarza, born in 1605, was a renowned herbalist in rural Castile. Her knowledge of medicinal plants and their applications made her a notable figure in the community, where she was often consulted for her expertise.

During the early 18th century, José Zarza served as a distinguished soldier in the Spanish army. Born in 1695, his military service included participation in the War of Spanish Succession, illustrating the family's continued involvement in significant historical events.

By the 19th century, the surname had spread beyond Spain. One prominent figure from this period is Francisco Zarza, a writer and intellectual born in 1847. His works contributed to the cultural and literary landscape of 19th-century Spain, capturing the essence of the nation's identity during a time of political upheaval.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Zarza

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

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

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

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