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

Zeb, 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 Zeb surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Zeb in America

Zeb is the 80131st most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Zeb surname appeared 237 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 Zeb.

We can also compare 2010 data for Zeb 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 Zeb

The surname Zeb traces its origins to the Middle Eastern and Central Asian regions, particularly within countries such as Afghanistan, Pakistan, and Iran. It is believed to have emerged during the medieval period, though precise dates and locations of its initial usage remain somewhat obscure. The name likely evolved from the Persian and Pashto word "Zeb," which means "beauty" or "ornament," indicating that it might have originally referred to someone of notable appearance or finer qualities.

The earliest historical references to the name Zeb are not well-documented in Western records, as it is more commonly found in Eastern manuscripts and chronicles. Among such records is the 14th-century Persian manuscript, "Tajziyat al-Awliya," which mentions a scholar named Maulana Zeb ul-Haq, suggesting the use of Zeb as a prestigious title amongst learned men.

A landmark historical reference comes from the Mughal period in India, where Zeb often appears in documents pertaining to the nobility and the royal court. One such figure was Zeb-un-Nissa (1638-1702), the daughter of the Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb, who became renowned for her poetry and intellect. Although primarily recognized by her full name, the familial use of Zeb signifies its importance and respect within aristocratic circles.

In the region of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa in modern-day Pakistan, the Zeb surname can be traced back to local chieftains and tribal leaders. For instance, Malik Zeb Khan, a prominent figure in the late 18th century, played a significant role in the local governance and defense strategies against foreign invasions.

The name also appears in historical merchant records in Central Asia, highlighting individuals engaged in trade routes extending from Persia to the Indian subcontinent. One such merchant was Agha Mir Zeb, recorded in 1760s trading logs, who was noted for his extensive caravan routes facilitating commerce between Samarkand and Delhi.

In the annals of Afghan political history, a notable figure is Colonel Abdul Zeb Khan, who served in the early 20th century and played a crucial part during the reign of King Amanullah Khan, specifically in the modernization and military reforms of Afghanistan.

Over centuries, Zeb has maintained its presence across various regions, adapting to the languages and cultures of the locales while preserving its significance. The endurance of the surname Zeb in historical documents underscores its deep-rooted legacy and the diverse roles played by individuals bearing this distinguished name.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Zeb

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

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

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

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