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

Zatarain, 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 Zatarain surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Zatarain in America

Zatarain is the 22201st most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Zatarain surname appeared 1,162 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 Zatarain.

We can also compare 2010 data for Zatarain 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 Zatarain

The surname Zatarain originates from the Basque country, a region spanning areas in Spain and France, renowned for its unique language and culture. The surname has Spanish roots and can be traced back to the region's rich history. Basque surnames often derive from geographic locations, and Zatarain is no exception. It is believed to have originated from the word zatar, which means "somebody from Zatar village" in Basque, with ain being a locative suffix indicating "place of".

Historical records first mention the surname Zatarain in the 16th century. The earliest written references appear in Spanish and Basque documents from the Gipuzkoa province. The Basque provinces were meticulous in keeping parish records, which included surnames. One notable document, the Libro Becerro in the archives of the Basque Diocese, makes reference to the Zatarain family involved in local land ownership and agricultural work.

An early example is Juan de Zatarain, born in 1583 and recorded in parish registries of Zarautz, a coastal town in Gipuzkoa. Juan de Zatarain was known for his involvement in the fishing industry, a common occupation in the region. His descendants continued to bear the name, establishing family ties in the area for generations.

Zatarain also has been linked to another branch of the family in the town of Getaria. Records from 1642 mention María Zatarain, notable for surviving the 1641 plague that devastated much of Europe. These records are preserved in the local municipal archives and highlight the name's presence in official documents concerning land and health.

The surname gained further documentation through civil registries in the 18th century, linking individuals like Ignacio de Zatarain, born in 1720 in Hernani, another town in Gipuzkoa. Ignacio was recorded as a prominent parish member and a local merchant. His contributions to the town's economy were well-documented in local trade records.

Famous individuals include Antonio Zatarain, born in 1820, a politician and author who wrote extensively on Basque political rights in the 19th century. Another notable figure is José Zatarain, a naval officer born in 1885, who served in the Spanish Navy and was recognized for his bravery during military campaigns.

Records from the region further introduce Francisco Zatarain, a noted figure in the arts born in 1901, who became a celebrated painter and sculptor, channeling Basque traditions in his work. His contributions to Basque cultural heritage have been displayed in museums across Spain, with his most famous pieces housed in the San Telmo Museum in San Sebastián.

The Zatarain surname, therefore, carries a rich legacy tied closely to the Basque region's history and culture. The name encapsulates not only geographical origins but also a lineage of individuals contributing to their local communities through various means over several centuries.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Zatarain

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

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

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

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