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

Zatezalo, 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 Zatezalo surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Zatezalo in America

Zatezalo is the 80926th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Zatezalo surname appeared 234 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 Zatezalo.

We can also compare 2010 data for Zatezalo 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 Zatezalo

The surname Zatezalo has its origins in the Balkan region, specifically from the areas that now comprise modern-day Serbia, Montenegro, and Croatia. It is a relatively unique surname, deeply rooted in the Slavic linguistic and cultural heritage. The name likely emerged during the medieval period, around the 14th or 15th century, a time of great transformation and territorial disputes in the Balkans.

Zatezalo is derived from Slavic words related to tasks or tools involving tension, most notably from the verb "zatezati," which means "to tighten" or "to strain." This suggests that the name could have been occupational, possibly referring to individuals who worked with tools or mechanisms requiring tension, such as bow makers or those involved in stringing musical instruments.

The earliest records mentioning the Zatezalo surname appear in church and municipal documents from the late 15th century. Manuscripts from Serbian Orthodox monasteries list various Zatezalos as donors or noteworthy community members. For instance, a record from 1498 in a monastery near Kotor, present-day Montenegro, references a certain Milovan Zatezalo, a local craftsman known for his expert work in metal forging.

Another significant historical reference is found in the archives of Dubrovnik (Ragusa), which was a major maritime republic and trading hub during the Renaissance. In 1523, a merchant named Petar Zatezalo was documented in a trade agreement, indicating the spread of the name due to the mobility of individuals involved in commerce and trade through the Adriatic region.

In the 17th century, the name appears in several censuses and land records. A notable example is Jakov Zatezalo, born in 1662 in the region of Dalmatia, who is mentioned as a landowner and a local leader. His contributions to his community, including construction of defensive structures against Ottoman incursions, have been documented in regional histories.

The Zatezalo surname continued to be relevant in local histories throughout the 18th and 19th centuries. A prominent individual, Jovan Zatezalo, born in 1785, served as a militia captain during the Serbian Uprising against Ottoman rule. His leadership and strategic skills were well-regarded, and his name is frequently mentioned in military dispatches from that period.

In the early 20th century, Mihailo Zatezalo, born in 1876, gained recognition as a writer and journalist. His works, which often centered on detailing the turbulent history of the Balkans and advocating for Slavic unity, were influential in intellectual circles. Mihailo's prolific career extended until his death in 1944, leaving a considerable literary legacy.

Overall, the surname Zatezalo has a rich history intertwined with the cultural and historical fabric of the Balkan Peninsula. Its origins linked to occupational endeavors and its presence across centuries in various significant records depict a narrative of resilience and contribution to regional identity.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Zatezalo

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

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

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

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