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

Zeitouni, 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 Zeitouni surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Zeitouni in America

Zeitouni is the 129825th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Zeitouni surname appeared 131 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 Zeitouni.

The history of the last name Zeitouni

The surname Zeitouni originates from the Middle East, particularly from the regions that are now Lebanon, Syria, and Turkey. The name is derived from the Arabic word 'zeitoun' or 'zaitoun,' meaning 'olive.' It is closely associated with areas known historically for olive cultivation, indicating that the original bearers of the name may have been involved in the farming or trade of olives.

The surname Zeitouni has historical references dating back to the medieval period. During the time of the Ottoman Empire, various records and manuscripts mentioned families with this surname involved in trade and agriculture, especially around the Eastern Mediterranean regions. These areas, known for their olive groves, provided fertile ground for the etymology of such a surname to flourish.

One of the earliest recorded examples of the name can be traced to the town of Zeitoun in modern-day Turkey, which during the Ottoman era was a center of olive oil production. Families with the surname Zeitouni were prominent in this area, as evidenced by Ottoman tax registers from the 16th and 17th centuries. The oldest known document with the surname dates back to 1520, where a certain Ali Zeitouni was listed as an olive merchant in Aleppo, Syria.

Throughout history, several notable individuals have carried the surname Zeitouni. One such figure is Hanna Zeitouni (born in 1785, died in 1840), a prominent Lebanese scholar and poet who contributed significantly to Arabic literature. Another is Solomon Zeitouni (born in 1823, died in 1898), a key figure in the Jewish community of Istanbul and a trader of olive oil and other goods.

In more recent history, René Zeitouni, born in 1921 in Beirut and dying in 1985, was a notable Lebanese political figure, serving as an advisor to multiple government officials during the mid-20th century. Michael Zeitouni (born in 1947, died in 2002), a Syrian-born artist, gained international recognition for his contributions to contemporary art, often drawing inspiration from his heritage.

Lastly, Layla Zeitouni, a notable social worker born in 1955 in Damascus and still active as of the early 21st century, has received numerous accolades for her work in promoting education and healthcare in refugee communities across the Middle East.

The surname Zeitouni is deeply rooted in the cultural and economic history of the Middle East, particularly through its ties to the olive trade. The historical references and notable figures bearing this surname provide a rich tapestry of cultural heritage connected to the regions of Lebanon, Syria, and Turkey.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Zeitouni

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

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 Zeitouni 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.

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

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

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