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

Zeledón, 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 Zeledón surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Zeledón in America

Zeledón is the 15978th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Zeledón surname appeared 1,817 times in the 2010 census and if you were to sample 100,000 people in the United States, approximately 1 people would have the surname Zeledón.

We can also compare 2010 data for Zeledón 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 Zeledón

The surname Zeledon is of Spanish origin, with early roots likely traced back to the Iberian Peninsula during the medieval period. It appears to have originated from the region that is now modern-day Spain, specifically in areas influenced by the Castilian language. The exact timing of its origin is not precisely documented, but surnames in Spain began to be more systematically recorded between the 12th and 14th centuries.

The name Zeledon is thought to be derived from the Latin word "zelus," meaning zeal or enthusiasm. This etymological root suggests that the surname could have originally been a nickname for someone who exhibited zeal or fervor in their activities or beliefs. Alternatively, it may have been linked to a religious connotation, given the strong influence of Christianity during the medieval period in Spain.

Historical references to the surname Zeledon can be found in various old manuscripts and documents. Although it does not appear in well-known records like England's Domesday Book, medieval Spanish records contain mentions of the name. Some early references can be traced back to church registers, property records, and legal documents from the late Middle Ages.

One of the earliest recorded individuals with the surname Zeledon was Alonso Zeledon, born around 1490 in Spain. His name appears in historical documents related to land transactions and local governance. Another notable figure is Pedro Zeledon, a soldier who participated in the early 16th-century explorations and conquests during the age of Spanish expansion in the Americas.

In the 19th century, Eusebio Figueroa Zeledon (1803–1856) gained prominence as a Costa Rican politician and writer. He contributed significantly to the intellectual and political landscape of Costa Rica during its formative years as an independent nation. His works and political influence left a lasting legacy on the country's development.

Juan Rafael Mora Zeledon (1814–1860) was another influential figure. As the President of Costa Rica from 1849 to 1859, he played a critical role in leading the nation through a period of significant change and conflict, including the wars against the filibuster William Walker. His presidency marked an era of consolidation of national sovereignty in Costa Rica.

By the 20th century, the surname Zeledon had spread beyond Spain and Central America. One prominent bearer of the name was Alcides Zeledon (1909–1987), a Nicaraguan poet and academic. His literary works and contributions to education and culture in Nicaragua earned him national recognition.

Throughout history, the surname Zeledon has been carried by individuals who made noteworthy contributions in various fields, whether in governance, literature, or exploration. The name remains a testament to the rich cultural and historical heritage of the Spanish-speaking world.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Zeledón

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

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

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

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