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

Zawodny, 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 Zawodny surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Zawodny in America

Zawodny is the 96799th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Zawodny surname appeared 188 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 Zawodny.

We can also compare 2010 data for Zawodny 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 Zawodny

The surname Zawodny has its origins in Poland, a country with a rich history of linguistic and cultural evolution. The name is historically linked to regions within Poland, particularly those that were traditionally populated with Slavic tribes. The exact period when the surname first appeared is somewhat ambiguous, but it is likely that it began to be used in the late Medieval era, roughly around the 14th or 15th centuries.

The etymology of Zawodny derives from the Polish word "zawodny," which translates to "deceptive" or "unreliable." This might have originally been a nickname for someone who was seen as a trickster or perhaps someone who worked in a profession associated with persuasion and skill, such as a tradesman or performer. This type of surname formation is common in Slavic languages, where descriptive or characteristic-based surnames are plentiful.

Throughout history, there are various references to individuals with the surname Zawodny in old records, although these instances are scattered and primarily anecdotal. For example, church registers and local government documents from the 16th and 17th centuries in the regions of Lesser Poland and Silesia do mention individuals bearing this name, though often without much context regarding their personal histories or professions.

One of the earliest recorded examples of the surname is from 1567, when an individual named Jakub Zawodny was mentioned in a legal document in Kraków. Similarly, a parish register from Poznań in 1624 lists a Marcin Zawodny as a witness to a marriage, indicating that the family name was established in multiple Polish locales by the early 17th century.

In the late 18th century, particularly during the partitions of Poland, records show individuals with the surname Zawodny emigrating to various parts of Europe and North America. One notable figure is Stanislaw Zawodny, who was born in 1832 and became a well-regarded educator and chronicler in Galicia. His contributions to local history remained relevant well into the early 20th century.

Another significant individual is Jan Zawodny, born in 1899, who became a prominent figure in the Polish resistance during World War II. He is remembered for his intelligence work and contributions to the Underground State, ultimately earning posthumous recognition for his bravery and efforts in the struggle against occupation.

In later years, Waclaw Zawodny (born 1905) emerged as an influential author and historian, particularly noted for his works on Polish military history. His research and chronicles provided valuable insights into Poland's military strategies and engagements during the interwar period and World War II.

Yet another prominent individual is Andrzej Zawodny, born in 1922, who made his mark as a scientist and engineer. He significantly contributed to the field of aeronautics and held several patents relating to aircraft design, demonstrating the versatility and adaptive nature of the Zawodny family lineage.

By tracing the surname Zawodny through various historical periods and regions, one can see the evolution and broad dispersion of a name that started with quite specific origins but went on to be carried by individuals of varied accomplishments and professions across the world, enriching the global narrative with diverse contributions.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Zawodny

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

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

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

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