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

Zelenko, 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 Zelenko surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Zelenko in America

Zelenko is the 77522nd most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Zelenko surname appeared 247 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 Zelenko.

We can also compare 2010 data for Zelenko 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 Zelenko

The surname Zelenko has its origins in Eastern Europe, primarily found in Ukraine, Russia, and Belarus. The name is derived from the Slavic word "zelený," which means "green" in various Slavic languages. This word is associated with nature, youth, and fertility, indicating that the name likely originated as a nickname for someone who lived near lush, green landscapes, or perhaps had an occupation related to farming or gardening.

The earliest historical records of the surname Zelenko can be traced back to the late medieval period. In old Ukrainian and Russian manuscripts, the name appears in various forms, including Zelen’k and Zel-enk, showcasing the linguistic evolution over centuries. One of the earliest notable mentions is found in a 15th-century Ukrainian tax registry, listing a family by the name of Zelenko residing in the region of Kyiv.

One of the earliest recorded individuals with the surname Zelenko was Ivan Zelenko, born around 1475 in the Kyiv region. Ivan was a landowner whose family was listed in several land deeds and tax registers during the late 15th and early 16th centuries. His prominence in local affairs suggests that the family held some socioeconomic status during that period.

During the 17th century, records from the city of Poltava in Ukraine mention a merchant named Peter Zelenko. Born in 1620, Peter was a notable figure in the local trading community and contributed to the economic development of the city. His commercial activities were documented in various trade agreements and city council records.

In the late 19th century, the name Zelenko appeared in the Russian Imperial records during the reign of Tsar Alexander III. One prominent individual of this era was Maria Zelenko, born in 1865. Maria was a well-known philanthropist and education advocate, establishing several schools and orphanages in Belarus. Her efforts were chronicled in various social and educational reform journals of the time.

Another significant figure bearing the surname was General Alexander Zelenko, born in 1892 in Russia. Alexander served in the Imperial Russian Army during World War I and later in the White Army during the Russian Civil War. His military career was documented in various military dispatches and records from that tumultuous period.

In addition, the surname Zelenko can be found in artistic circles. Yevgeny Zelenko, born in 1903 in Minsk, was a distinguished painter whose works were exhibited across Europe. His artistic contributions were significant in the early 20th century, and several of his paintings are preserved in national museums.

In summary, the surname Zelenko has a rich history rooted in Eastern European culture, with its etymology linked to the natural world. Over the centuries, individuals bearing this surname have made their mark in various fields such as landownership, commerce, philanthropy, military service, and the arts. These historical references help to paint a vivid picture of the name’s longstanding significance in the region.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Zelenko

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

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

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

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