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

Zec, 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 Zec surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Zec in America

Zec is the 60960th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Zec surname appeared 330 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 Zec.

We can also compare 2010 data for Zec 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 Zec

The surname Zec is primarily of South Slavic origin, predominantly found in regions that were part of the former Yugoslavia, such as Serbia, Bosnia, Croatia, and Montenegro. The name derives from the Slavic word "zec," which means "hare" or "rabbit" in Serbian and Croatian. This etymology suggests that the surname could have originally been used as a nickname for someone who was quick or agile, much like the animal it references.

Early references to the surname Zec can be found in medieval manuscripts and records from the Balkan region. One of the earliest recorded instances dates back to the 15th century in the Dubrovnik Archives, which mention a certain Nikola Zec, a trader, in 1465. Such historical documents indicate that individuals with the surname Zec were involved in various professions, including commerce and agriculture.

In terms of historical references, the surname appears in various church and civil records throughout the centuries. For example, a notable mention is of Marko Zec, a landowner in the Dalmatian coast during the 17th century. His name appears in several property and tax records, shedding light on the socioeconomic activities of individuals bearing this surname during that period.

Another significant historical figure is Jovan Zec, a prominent scholar and poet living in the early 19th century, believed to have been born around 1802 and died in 1875. Jovan Zec contributed to the cultural and intellectual movements of his time, with several of his manuscripts preserved in regional archives.

Further historical documentation lists a Petar Zec, a soldier in the Austrian army during the late 18th century, around 1789. His military records, found in the archives of Vienna, detail his participation in various battles and campaigns, highlighting the involvement of people with the surname in significant historical events.

In more recent history, Milka Zec, born in 1903 and died in 1978, was a renowned Serbian author whose works focus on traditional Serbian culture and folklore. Her contributions to literature have made her a celebrated figure in her native land and beyond. Additionally, Tomislav Zec, born in 1932, was a well-known Croatian footballer who made significant contributions to the sport in the mid-20th century. His athletic achievements brought recognition to the surname in the realm of sports.

Through these examples, it is clear that the surname Zec has a rich history spanning several centuries, with notable figures contributing to various facets of society, including trade, academia, literature, and sports. The name's connection to the Slavic word for hare illustrates a possible origin rooted in descriptive or occupational nicknames, reflecting the personal characteristics or professions of its earliest bearers.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Zec

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

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

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

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