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

Zawacki, 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 Zawacki surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Zawacki in America

Zawacki is the 15363rd most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Zawacki surname appeared 1,909 times in the 2010 census and if you were to sample 100,000 people in the United States, approximately 1 people would have the surname Zawacki.

We can also compare 2010 data for Zawacki 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 Zawacki

The surname Zawacki originates from Poland and dates back to the medieval period. In Poland, surnames were often derived from occupations, locations, or personal characteristics. Zawacki is a toponymic surname, meaning it is derived from a place name or a particular geographical feature. It is linked to the name of various places in Poland, such as Zawady or Zawadka, small villages and settlements whose names stem from the Old Polish word "zawada," meaning an obstacle or barrier. This suggests that the original bearers of the surname might have lived near or been associated with such features.

The surname Zawacki appears in historical records from the early modern period. These references can be found in land registers, court documents, and church records, which often provide snippets of information about families and individuals. The Polish noble class, known as the szlachta, sometimes included individuals with the Zawacki surname, indicating their possession of some land or minor titles.

One of the earliest recorded examples of the name is from the 16th century. For instance, Piotr Zawacki, born around 1550, is noted in historical documents as a landowner in the region now known as Greater Poland. He is mentioned in a legal dispute over border demarcations, an issue that was common among landowners of the time.

During the 18th century, notable individuals with the surname Zawacki emerged. Jan Zawacki (1702-1780), a minor noble, served in the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth’s army and was also involved in local politics. His correspondence and various mentions in historical records contribute to our understanding of his role and the prominence of the Zawacki name during this period.

In the 19th century, Katarzyna Zawacka (1835-1899) made her mark as a prominent social figure in Warsaw. She was known for her charitable work and involvement in the Polish independence movement. Her activities are well-documented in the papers of various historical societies and national archives, offering insight into the social history of the time.

Another significant bearer of the surname is Gen. Maria Zawacka (1909-2009), a notable figure from the 20th century. She was a courier for the Polish Underground Army during World War II and later became a professor and historian. Her extensive contributions to Polish history and her courageous wartime efforts have cemented her legacy.

In examining the historical trajectory of the surname Zawacki, it is clear that it carries a rich heritage linked to specific locations and various notable individuals throughout Polish history. The name has evolved alongside Poland’s turbulent past, from medieval times through wars, partitions, and periods of independence, demonstrating the resilience and significance of its bearers.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Zawacki

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

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

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

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