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

Zelada, 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 Zelada surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Zelada in America

Zelada is the 33530th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Zelada surname appeared 680 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 Zelada.

We can also compare 2010 data for Zelada 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 Zelada

The surname Zelada can trace its origins to Spain, specifically in the Castile region in the northern part of the country. The earliest documented instances of the surname appear in the medieval period, around the 12th and 13th centuries. The name is believed to derive from the old Spanish word "zelar" meaning "zeal" or "vigilance," possibly indicating a person who was known for their enthusiastic or vigilant nature.

One of the first historical references to the Zelada name dates back to the records of medieval land grants and nobility registers in Castile. Manuscripts from the 13th century mention a noble family holding lands near Valladolid, a region rich in history and culture. The name appears to have spread gradually from this heartland to other parts of Spain and eventually to the New World during the periods of colonization.

The earliest recorded example of the name Zelada is found in a charter from 1235, where a certain Don Martín de Zelada is listed as a landowner and knight in the service of King Ferdinand III of Castile. The Zelada family held significant influence in local politics and military matters, and multiple members carried on the family name with dignity.

By the 15th century, the surname had reached prominence through figures like Father Antonio de Zelada, born in 1423, who was a notable scholar and theologian. His works contributed to the intellectual landscape of Renaissance Spain and he is often cited in religious texts of the period.

In the 16th century, the name migrated to the Americas with the Spanish colonization, establishing itself in parts of Peru and Mexico. One notable figure was Governor Hernando de Zelada, born in 1575, who was instrumental in several key administrative reforms in colonial Mexico. His leadership left a lasting impact on Spanish colonial governance.

Other noteworthy bearers of the surname include Diego de Zelada, a prominent explorer and cartographer in the early 17th century, and his maps significantly advanced the Spanish understanding of the New World and its geography. He was born in 1592 and his work continued to be used long after his death in 1634.

Throughout the centuries, the Zelada family has produced influential figures in various fields. Another significant individual was General Carlos de Zelada, born in 1845, who fought in the Carlist Wars in Spain. His military strategies and leadership were well-documented and praised by his contemporaries.

The surname Zelada, rooted in the historical and cultural fabric of medieval Spain, carried forward through the ages by individuals who made notable contributions to theology, administration, exploration, and military leadership. Each of these figures has left a unique mark on the legacy of the Zelada name, ensuring its recognition and remembrance through the annals of history.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Zelada

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

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

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

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