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

Zelano, 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 Zelano surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Zelano in America

Zelano is the 134712th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Zelano surname appeared 125 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 Zelano.

We can also compare 2010 data for Zelano 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 Zelano

Zelano is a surname with roots that trace back to Italy, specifically to the southern regions of the country. The name likely originated in the late medieval period, around the 13th or 14th centuries. Southern Italy, known for its diverse cultural influences, served as a melting pot that contributed to the unique development of surnames in the area. The surname Zelano might have evolved from an older form or a word from the local dialects, potentially linked to geographical features or occupations.

The name Zelano appears to have been derived from a combination of Latin and Romance language influences. The Latin word zelus, meaning "zeal" or "ardor," combined with the suffix -ano, which is common in Italian surnames and often denotes a place of origin or belonging. Consequently, Zelano could be interpreted as "one who is zealous" or "from the place of zeal." The exact location that the name refers to, if any, remains uncertain, but the suffix suggests a connection to a particular locale or community known for a certain characteristic.

Historical records from medieval Italy do not provide extensive documentation of surnames, making early mentions of Zelano challenging to locate. However, the name emerged in written records by the 15th century, appearing in various local documents and registries. One of the earliest known references to the surname is in a notarial document from Naples dated 1467, where a Pietro Zelano is listed as a witness in a land transaction.

Throughout the 16th and 17th centuries, the Zelano family name appears sporadically in ecclesiastical and civic records. In the town of Salerno, a Cristoforo Zelano, born in 1523 and deceased in 1588, is noted for his work as a master mason and contributing to the construction of public buildings. Another figure, Giulia Zelano, born in 1570 in the region of Apulia, was recognized for her charitable work and contributions to local orphanages until her death in 1635.

The Zelano surname continued to make appearances in southern Italy over the centuries. In the late 18th century, records from the Kingdom of Naples mention an Andrea Zelano, born in 1764, who served as a minor official in the local government. His administrative work and community leadership earned him respect, lasting until his death in 1821. Additionally, Maria Zelano, a poet born in Reggio Calabria in 1803, gained some recognition for her literary contributions before her untimely death in 1834.

In the 19th century, Francesco Zelano, born in 1839, played a significant role during the unification of Italy. As a supporter of Garibaldi's campaigns, Francesco's efforts in various military engagements and political movements were well-documented. He lived to see a unified Italy and passed away in 1890. Later on, in the early 20th century, the name surfaced in immigration records as members of the Zelano family moved to North and South America in search of better opportunities, leaving a legacy that extended beyond the Italian peninsula.

Thus, the surname Zelano carries with it a rich history, embodying the cultural and historical tapestry of southern Italy. Its bearers have made contributions across various fields, from labor and administration to literature and political activism, marking the name's passage through time and geography.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Zelano

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

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

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

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