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

Zay, 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 Zay surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Zay in America

Zay is the 73215th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Zay surname appeared 265 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 Zay.

We can also compare 2010 data for Zay 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 Zay

The surname Zay is thought to have originated in Central Europe, specifically within the regions of modern-day Germany and Austria. The earliest known instances of this surname date back to the Middle Ages, with recorded instances appearing in different forms such as "Zai" and "Say". The name likely has roots in the Old High German word "Zeg", meaning "arrow" or "twig", which might have been used metaphorically to describe someone skilled with a bow or who lived near a notable tree or forest.

Historical records such as tax registries and land grants from the 13th and 14th centuries feature variants of the surname in various locales. In 1278, a manuscript in Bavaria mentions a Heinrich Zai, who was a landowner of some local repute. Similarly, the name appears in Austrian records in the early 1300s, with a Conrad Zay being a noted townsman in Vienna.

The Zay family name remained relatively localized but began appearing in different parts of Europe by the 15th century. Johannes Zay, born circa 1430, is one of the more prominent historical figures bearing the surname. He gained recognition for his contributions to early medical texts in Germany and was a practicing physician in Nuremberg.

In the 16th century, records from the city of Zurich in Switzerland mention a Bernhard Zay, born around 1505, who was a well-regarded merchant and a member of the local council. His familial records indicate that the surname had, by this point, oscillated between "Zay" and "Say" depending on phonetic preferences at the time.

Another significant figure bearing the surname was Margaretha Zay, who was born in 1572 in Augsburg. She gained notoriety during the European witch trials and was a rare instance of a documented female scholar during the Renaissance. Despite the oppressive atmosphere for women in academia then, her preserved writings indicate a deep involvement in natural philosophy and early botanical studies.

Moving into the 17th century, the name appears in the military records of the Thirty Years' War. Captain Hans Zay, born in 1595, served with distinction in the Swedish army. His detailed personal accounts provide invaluable insights into the life of a soldier during this tumultuous period.

By the 18th century, the Zay surname had found its way into Eastern Europe, with several families adopting it. An interesting figure from this period is Mikhail Zay, born in 1732 in the Russian Empire, who was an artisan known for his intricate wood carvings and contributions to ecclesiastical art. His work can still be seen in some churches around the region.

The surname Zay is deeply embedded in various cultural and historical contexts throughout Europe. While it began in Germanic regions, it spread over centuries to other parts of Europe, leaving an indelible mark in each locale it touched. Its historical journey reflects the broader socio-economic and political changes of the continent, encapsulating tales of tradespeople, soldiers, scholars, and artisans.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Zay

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

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

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

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