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

Zeilenga, 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 Zeilenga surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Zeilenga in America

Zeilenga is the 110825th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Zeilenga surname appeared 159 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 Zeilenga.

We can also compare 2010 data for Zeilenga 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 Zeilenga

The surname Zeilenga originates from the Netherlands, specifically from the Frisian region, which historically encompasses modern-day Friesland in the Netherlands and parts of northern Germany. The name likely dates back to the early medieval period, around the 11th or 12th centuries, when surnames began to be adopted more formally. The Frisian culture, known for its distinct linguistic and cultural traits, often incorporated the suffix -ga or -nga, which means belonging to or people of, essentially forming a patronymic or toponymic designation.

Zeilenga appears to be derived from a combination of an old Frisian personal name Zeil or Seil, and the suffix -nga. The root Zeil or Seil could be related to words meaning sail or sailor, indicative of a maritime connection which is fitting given the geographical context of Friesland known for its seafaring tradition. Hence, Zeilenga might originally have referred to a family associated with seafaring activities or residing near a sailing port.

Historical references to the name Zeilenga can be traced back to various municipal and ecclesiastical records in the Frisian region. One of the earliest documented instances dates back to a 14th century tax register where a Jan Zeilenga is mentioned as a landowner in the village of Koudum in Friesland, hinting at the family’s settled status and local prominence.

Earlier spellings of the surname have varied, with documents sometimes referring to it as Seilenga or Zeilinga. This variability is common with medieval records due to the phonetic approach to writing and the fluidity of language at the time. Over the centuries, the spelling Zeilenga became more standardized.

Noteworthy individuals bearing the surname Zeilenga have made significant contributions to various fields. Pieter Zeilenga, born in 1812, was a prominent Frisian politician who played a role in local governance during the mid-19th century. Another historical figure, Sybren Zeilenga, born in 1762, was known for his work as a shipbuilder, reflecting the maritime heritage of the name.

In the realm of academia, Johannes Zeilenga, who lived from 1845 to 1906, was a respected mathematician and an influential figure in educational reforms in Friesland. Further back, records from the late 16th century mention a merchant named Douwe Zeilenga, born in 1557, who was involved in the Hanseatic trade network linking Friesland to several key commercial cities across Europe.

Adding to the legacy of the name, during the 18th century, a minister named Berend Zeilenga, born in 1701, emerged as a notable religious figure who contributed significantly to the development of the Dutch Reformed Church in Friesland.

These historical references collectively paint a picture of Zeilenga as a surname deeply rooted in the Frisian culture with strong ties to maritime activities, land ownership, and community leadership. The name continues to be a testament to the enduring legacy of the Frisian people and their historical regional influence.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Zeilenga

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

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

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

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