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

Zdeněk, 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 Zdeněk surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Zdeněk in America

Zdeněk is the 60505th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Zdeněk surname appeared 333 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 Zdeněk.

We can also compare 2010 data for Zdeněk 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 Zdeněk

The surname Zdenek has its origins in the Czech Republic, a country in Central Europe with a rich history and linguistic heritage. The name is derived from the Czech given name Zdeněk, which itself is a diminutive form of the name Zdeslav. Zdeslav is composed of the Slavic elements "zde," meaning “here,” and "slav," meaning “glory” or “fame.”

The earliest speculated period for the emergence of Zdenek as a surname likely traces back to the medieval era, around the 14th to 15th centuries, when surnames started becoming hereditary in the region. The name finds its roots in areas that were predominantly Slavic-speaking and part of the Kingdom of Bohemia.

Old documents and records from the medieval period shed light on the use of similar names. While specifically finding the surname Zdenek in archival records from that era is challenging, it's likely that it appeared in various local registers and ecclesiastical documents. Historical references to the name can be found in church registries and land records, which were meticulously maintained even in early modern Europe.

One of the earliest recorded examples of the surname Zdenek appears in a document from 1537 concerning a noble family in Bohemia. This family was known for their contributions to local governance and military service. Another instance is found in the minutes of a 1592 town council in Prague, where a Michal Zdenek was listed among notable citizens.

Several notable individuals bore the surname Zdenek throughout history. For instance, Jan Zdenek, born in 1603, served as an advisor to the Habsburg monarchy and was instrumental in the Thirty Years' War. Another prominent figure was Antonín Zdenek, who lived between 1765-1821 and was a known composer contributing to the rich tapestry of Czech classical music.

In the 19th century, Josef Zdenek emerged as a critical voice in the Czech National Revival, born in 1818 and playing a pivotal role in the linguistic and cultural upliftment of the Czech people. Yet another important personality was Ludmila Zdenek, (1845-1929), who became a renowned social activist advocating for women's rights in the early 20th century. Finally, Karel Zdenek, born in 1851, was an elite craftsman whose works in iron are still celebrated and preserved in museums across the Czech Republic.

While the name Zdenek may not be widespread today, its historical roots provide an intriguing glimpse into the cultural and social evolution of the Czech lands. The name stands testament to the enduring legacy of the people who bore it, contributing significantly to the fields of governance, music, social justice, and craftsmanship throughout history.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Zdeněk

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

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

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

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