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

Zatopek, 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 Zatopek surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Zatopek in America

Zatopek is the 100791st most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Zatopek surname appeared 179 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 Zatopek.

We can also compare 2010 data for Zatopek 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 Zatopek

The surname Zatopek has its origins in the Czech Republic, specifically from the regions of Moravia and Bohemia. The name dates back to the medieval period, and it is derived from the Old Czech verb "zatopečka," which means "to drown" or "to dip." This might have referred to a person living near a body of water or someone involved in fishing or aquatic activities. Variante spellings of the name from historical records include Zatopěk, Zatopka, and Zątopek.

One of the earliest references to the name Zatopek can be found in land registry documents from the 15th century in Moravia. Historical manuscripts from this region sometimes list the name among local inhabitants, emphasizing its roots in the Czech cultural and geographical landscape. These documents highlight the importance of surnames in demarcating family lines and trades.

One of the most famous bearers of the surname is Emil Zatopek (1922-2000), a Czech long-distance runner often dubbed "the Czech Locomotive." He won four Olympic gold medals and set numerous world records in the 1940s and 1950s, becoming a national hero. His wife, Dana Zatopkova (1922-2020), was also a renowned Olympic javelin thrower and added prominence to the surname on the international stage.

In the late 1600s, an individual named Jan Zatopka was recorded as a landowner in the Moravian town of Vsetín. Jan's name appears in several tax registers, indicating a stable and possibly affluent status within the community. Historical census data from this period occasionally list the variations of the surname, demonstrating its persistence over the centuries.

Another notable figure is František Zatopěk, a 19th-century Czech scholar and historian. Born in 1823, he authored several texts on Czech history and folklore, contributing significantly to nationalistic movements during the Austro-Hungarian reign. His works are still referenced today by historians studying the cultural evolution of the Czech lands.

In the 18th century, records from the town of Olomouc mention an artisan named Václav Zatopka. He was a master blacksmith and part of the local guild, further illustrating the surname’s association with skilled trades. Guild records from this era note his craftsmanship and the apprenticeship programs he supervised, emphasizing the family’s multi-generational ties to professional vocations.

The name Zatopek is also found in various historical military records. Josef Zatopka, born in 1785, served as an officer in the Napoleonic Wars, distinguishing himself in several battles. His military career was well-documented, highlighting the diverse paths individuals with this surname have taken throughout history.

The surname Zatopek thus encompasses a rich historical tapestry, spanning various professions and notable figures. It reflects both geographical and cultural elements central to Czech history, legacy, and identity.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Zatopek

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

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

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

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