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

Zawaski, 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 Zawaski surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Zawaski in America

Zawaski is the 81181st most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Zawaski surname appeared 233 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 Zawaski.

We can also compare 2010 data for Zawaski 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 Zawaski

The surname Zawaski is of Polish origin, originating in the Mazovian region of Poland. It dates back to medieval times, likely appearing around the 14th or 15th century. The name can be linked to the nobility and gentry of Poland, as many surnames in this area were often derived from place names or land owned by families.

Zawaski is thought to derive from the Polish word zawada, meaning an obstacle or a dam, suggesting that the name could have originally been given to people living near or working on such structures. Over time, the name evolved, and different spellings emerged, including Zawadzki and Zawadzka, which are more commonly found in historical records.

The first documented instance of the surname Zawaski can be found in church records from the late 1500s in the Mazovian Voivodeship. These records frequently listed landowners and their families, indicating the social status and wealth controlled by individuals with this surname.

One of the earliest noted individuals with the surname Zawaski was Jan Zawaski, a nobleman born in 1560 and known for his contributions to the local governance of his town. His name appears in a land register from 1592, highlighting his ownership of considerable estates.

Another prominent figure was Stanisław Zawaski, an officer in the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth, born in 1625 and documented in military records from the wars against the Swedes in the mid-1600s. His service earned him accolades and recognition, marking the Zawaski name in historical military accounts.

The surname also appears in legal documents from the 18th century, with Katarzyna Zawaski making a notable impact as one of the rare women landowners at the time. Born in 1690, her name is recorded in court proceedings related to estate disputes in 1734, signifying her active role in managing familial properties.

In the 19th century, Wojciech Zawaski emerged as a known academic and writer, contributing to the cultural heritage of Poland. Born in 1820, his works on Polish folklore and traditions are still referenced today, with his texts archived in the National Library of Poland.

Finally, in the early 20th century, Helena Zawaski, born in 1895, became an influential figure as a teacher and activist. Her efforts in promoting education and women's rights were well-documented in various educational reform movements in pre-war Poland.

The surname Zawaski, although relatively less common than its variants, carries a rich history deeply intertwined with the cultural and historical tapestry of Poland.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Zawaski

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

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

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

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