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

Zein, 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 Zein surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Zein in America

Zein is the 54752nd most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Zein surname appeared 376 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 Zein.

We can also compare 2010 data for Zein 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 Zein

The surname Zein has its origins in the Middle East, particularly in countries like Lebanon and Syria. Its early roots can be traced back to the Arabic word "زين" (zayn), which means "beauty," "grace," or "goodness." This word is often associated with positive attributes and has been used to denote admiration or high regard.

The name Zein appears in ancient and medieval Arabic manuscripts, highlighting its cultural significance. One of the earliest references can be found in the writings of Al-Idrisi, a 12th-century Arab geographer, who mentioned a prominent family bearing the surname in the Levant region. This indicates the name's historical presence and societal influence during the Islamic Golden Age.

Early examples of the name Zein include figures such as Zein al-Din, a 14th-century scholar from Damascus who contributed to Islamic jurisprudence and theology. His works have been referenced in numerous religious and academic texts, establishing the surname's scholarly association.

In the Ottoman period, the Zein family name continued to be recognized, with records from the 18th century mentioning a certain Zein Khaled, a respected merchant based in Aleppo. This highlights the name's endurance through different empires and its bearers' engagement in commerce and trade.

Zein was also noted in historical registers of the Ottoman Empire, specifically in tax records and legal documents from the 17th and 18th centuries. These documents, often painstakingly preserved, provide glimpses into the lives and contributions of individuals with the surname during that era.

Notable historical figures with the surname include Zein Bey, an influential political leader in the late 19th century who played a crucial role in the defense of Beirut during periods of regional conflict. Another significant individual was Zein Hakim (1871-1949), an acclaimed Lebanese poet and writer known for his literary works that shed light on cultural and social issues of his time.

In the 20th century, the name Zein remained prominent, with figures like Rafiq Zein, a noted Syrian historian born in 1903, whose research and publications on Middle Eastern history have been instrumental in academic circles. His extensive works have been translated into multiple languages, ensuring the surname's continued recognition.

Throughout the centuries, the surname Zein has migrated beyond its Middle Eastern roots, carried by generations that settled in different parts of the world. Despite this, its origin and significance remain closely tied to its Arabic roots, symbolizing beauty, good character, and a rich cultural heritage.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Zein

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

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

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

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