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

Zbranek, 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 Zbranek surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Zbranek in America

Zbranek is the 86005th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Zbranek surname appeared 217 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 Zbranek.

We can also compare 2010 data for Zbranek 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 Zbranek

The surname Zbranek originates from the Czech Republic, a country rich with history and a complex linguistic heritage. The roots of the name can be traced back to medieval Bohemia and Moravia, regions now part of the Czech Republic. The surname is believed to be derived from the Czech word “zbraň,” meaning "weapon" or "arms," suggesting a familial connection to weaponry, possibly indicating that the family's ancestors were warriors, blacksmiths, or involved in the defense sector during the medieval period. Alternatively, it could reflect a geographic connection to an area known for its weapons production.

One of the oldest references to the name Zbranek appears in 16th-century records from the town of Žabčice in South Moravia. These manuscripts indicate that the Zbranek family were prominent landowners and farmers, suggesting that the name had already become established by this time. Given the region's turbulent history of wars and shifting borders, such a name would have significant cultural and historical relevance.

The earliest recorded example of the surname Zbranek dates back to a 1543 census in Brno, Moravia. In this record, a man named Petr Zbranek is listed as a blacksmith, reinforcing the idea that the surname has a connection with metallurgy and weapons. The historical records show that Petr was an influential member of the guild, which marks a significant point in the surname's history.

In the late 17th century, the name appears in another historical document featuring Frantisek Zbranek, born in Brno in 1650 and died in 1712. He was a noted figure in local politics, having served as an alderman and contributing to the civic life of Brno. His life's work provides a clear indicator of the advancement of the Zbranek family from craftsmen to influential civic leaders.

An important figure from the early 19th century is Jan Zbranek, born in 1802 and who lived until 1865. A school teacher by profession, Jan made significant contributions to education reforms in the South Bohemian region. His work in developing curriculum and increasing literacy rates among rural populations further solidified the name's association with intellectual and social progress.

In the 20th century, one of the most notable bearers of the surname was Josef Zbranek, born in 1888 in Prague and a renowned early aviator. Josef played a crucial role in the development of Czechoslovakia’s aviation industry, making several pioneering flights and serving as an instructor during World War I.

Another significant individual is Milada Zbranek, born in 1924. A prominent chemist, her research in polymer chemistry during the 1970s gained international recognition, showcasing the scientific contributions of those bearing the surname. Milada's work was particularly influential in the development of new synthetic materials, highlighting the evolution of the Zbranek surname into various fields of expertise and accomplishment.

Throughout history, the surname Zbranek has appeared in various forms and spellings, such as Zbraneck or Branzek, reflecting the linguistic variations and regional dialects of the Czech language. The evolving historical and professional contexts in which the name appears paint a rich tapestry of its bearers' contributions to society over several centuries.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Zbranek

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

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

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

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