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

Zeid, 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 Zeid surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Zeid in America

Zeid is the 60045th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Zeid surname appeared 336 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 Zeid.

We can also compare 2010 data for Zeid 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 Zeid

The surname Zeid is believed to have its origins in the Middle East, with historical roots tracing back to the Arabic-speaking regions. The name is derived from the Arabic word "زيد" (pronounced Zayd or Zeid), which means "to grow" or "to increase." This word can be found in classical Arabic texts, indicating that the name has been in use for several centuries. The name was likely borne by people who were seen as prosperous or blessed with growth and abundance.

In historical references, the name Zeid has been found in various manuscripts and documents from the medieval Islamic world. One of the earliest recorded instances of the surname is associated with the Islamic scholar Zayd ibn Thabit (610-660), although this reflects its use as a given name rather than a surname. As surnames became more widely used, particularly in the Ottoman Empire, the name Zeid began to appear as a family name, signifying lineage and heritage.

During the Abbasid Caliphate, which spanned from 750 to 1258, the use of the surname Zeid was documented among prominent families in Baghdad and other key cities within the empire. The spread of Islamic culture and the Arabic language facilitated the dissemination of the name throughout the Middle East and North Africa.

Several notable individuals have carried the surname Zeid throughout history. One such figure is Muhammad Zeid Al-Hilali (died 1050), a legendary Arab folk hero who was famous for his epic poetry and battles described in the "Sirat Bani Hilal." Another is Mahmoud Zeid, a 13th-century scholar known for his contributions to Islamic jurisprudence in Damascus.

In more recent history, Prince Zeid bin Ra'ad (born 1964), a member of the Jordanian royal family, has gained prominence, particularly during his tenure as the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights from 2014 to 2018. Additionally, Zeid Raad al-Hussein, a Jordanian diplomat and member of the Hashemite family, has held various positions within international organizations, highlighting the continued relevance of the name in contemporary times.

The surname Zeid can also be linked to various place names. The name Zeydiyah appears in historical records from the Ottoman era, referring to districts or regions where families with this surname resided. Instances of earlier spellings, such as Zayd or Zaid, are also documented, albeit less commonly used in more recent times.

In summary, the surname Zeid has a rich etymological and historical background originating from the Arabic word for growth. Its usage as a surname spread throughout the Middle East and beyond, marking the names of influential scholars, diplomats, and cultural figures across centuries. The name's presence in historical records and place names underscores its longstanding significance in the Islamic world.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Zeid

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

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

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

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