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

Zelený, 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 Zelený surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Zelený in America

Zelený is the 38754th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Zelený surname appeared 570 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 Zelený.

We can also compare 2010 data for Zelený 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 Zelený

The surname Zeleny finds its roots in Central Europe, specifically from the regions that are now known as the Czech Republic and Slovakia. Historically, it dates back to the medieval period, with its earliest instances recorded in the 13th and 14th centuries. This surname likely originated in rural areas, where surnames often developed as descriptors related to the natural environment.

The etymology of Zeleny can be traced to the Slavic word zelený, which translates to "green" in English. The term zelený was commonly used to describe verdant landscapes, lush forests, or even the healthy complexion of an individual, indicating vibrancy and vigor. This linguistic origin suggests that the progenitors of the Zeleny surname might have resided in or near verdant areas, or it could denote a trait associated with greenness, such as youth or vitality.

Old records and manuscripts have references to similar surnames. In the 14th century, documents from Bohemia identify individuals with surnames like Zelenyj or Zelena, which are variations stemming from the same root word. These documents include mentions in property records, indicating the presence of landowners or notable figures within villages and towns.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name appears in the records of the Prague Archives from the late 14th century, with a reference to a Jan Zeleny, born around 1365. Jan Zeleny is noted to have been a landowner in the region, providing insight into the surname's early association with property and social standing.

In the 15th century, another notable individual, Petr Zeleny, born circa 1420, emerged in historical documents as a respected craftsman in Brno, a city in what is now the Czech Republic. His work as a master carpenter is well-documented, illustrating the spread of the surname among various professions.

A significant figure bearing the surname Zeleny during the 16th century was Alena Zeleny, born in 1501, who was known for her charitable works and was a prominent member of her local community in a small town near Prague. Her efforts in establishing local schools and supporting the poor left a notable legacy.

In the 17th century, the name appears in the annals of military history, with Matous Zeleny, born in 1604, who served as an officer in the Habsburg army during the Thirty Years' War. His role in several battles and military campaigns is well-documented, reflecting the surname's association with service and leadership.

The surname Zeleny continued to be present in the historical records of the 18th century with Marek Zeleny, born in 1730, who was a well-known merchant and trader in Bratislava. His extensive trade networks and contributions to the local economy are preserved in various merchant registers and correspondence of the time.

Throughout history, the surname Zeleny has signified a connection to the land, industriousness, and contributions to society. These historical figures represent the diverse roles and statuses that individuals with this surname have held, establishing a rich and varied legacy.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Zelený

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

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

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

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