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

Zavodny, 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 Zavodny surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Zavodny in America

Zavodny is the 54752nd most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Zavodny surname appeared 376 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 Zavodny.

We can also compare 2010 data for Zavodny 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 Zavodny

The surname Zavodny is of Czech and Slovak origin, arising in the regions that are now the Czech Republic and Slovakia. The name's roots trace back to the medieval period, approximately the 14th century. It is derived from the Czech and Slovak word "závod," which means "race" or "factory." This suggests that the name Zavodny may have initially been an occupational surname for someone who worked in or near a factory or was involved in competitive races, possibly indicating a connection to the burgeoning industrial activities of the time.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the surname Zavodny dates back to the 15th century in the records of Bohemian nobility. Scholars have found similar mentions of this surname in legal documents, tax registers, and various boon-day books throughout the centuries that followed. For instance, an entry in a 17th-century Moravian land register lists a Jakob Zavodny, a mill owner who lived in the village of Olomouc in 1653, showcasing an early instance of the name tied to an occupation.

Another historical figure with this surname was Jan Zavodny, born in 1702 and recorded as a prominent blacksmith in the town of Brno. He made significant contributions to local infrastructure and was well respected in his community. Documentation from the early 18th century mentions Jan's involvement in crafting church bells, indicating the family's integration into the local artisan guilds.

In the 19th century, Frantisek Zavodny, born in 1815, emerged as a notable personality. Frantisek was a key figure in the national revival movements in what was then the Austrian Empire. His efforts to preserve Czech and Slovak cultural identity through literature and folklore were recognized in contemporary publications of the era.

Another illustrious bearer of this surname was Katerina Zavodny, born in 1857, a pioneering educator in Prague. She was instrumental in setting up one of the first schools for girls, striving for educational reforms and opportunities for women, marking her as an influential person in the educational development of the region.

Moving forward to the early 20th century, Milan Zavodny, born in 1889, garnered attention as an Olympic athlete. Competing for Czechoslovakia in track and field events, he epitomized the literal meaning of his surname, which connects to racing. His participation in the 1912 Stockholm Summer Olympics brought international recognition to the Zavodny name.

These instances highlight how the Zavodny surname has been carried through various generations, painting a rich historical tapestry that intersects with industry, craftsmanship, national identity, education, and sports. Each bearer of the surname contributed uniquely to their respective fields, ensuring that the name Zavodny remains historic and illustrious.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Zavodny

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

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

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

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