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

Zella, 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 Zella surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Zella in America

Zella is the 66371st most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Zella surname appeared 298 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 Zella.

We can also compare 2010 data for Zella 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 Zella

The surname Zella is believed to have originated in Italy, with its roots tracing back to the medieval period, particularly in the regions of Lombardy and Tuscany. The name Zella is derived from the Italian word "zelo," which means "zeal" or "ardor," indicating that it may have been used as a nickname for someone known for their fervent nature. Additionally, there is a possibility that Zella could be a topographic surname derived from the Latin word "cellarium," meaning "storeroom" or "granary," which itself originates from "cella," meaning "cell" or "storeroom."

One of the earliest references to the surname Zella can be found in ecclesiastical records from the 14th century. For instance, a Pietro di Zella was documented in 1348 in the parish records of Milan, highlighting the presence of the family name in northern Italy. The name appears sporadically in various archival manuscripts, particularly in notarial documents, indicating its use among both commoners and the minor nobility.

The surname also appears in place names, such as the village of Zella in the province of Grosseto, Tuscany. The locality's name suggests a historical connection, either derived from the surname or vice versa. Old spellings such as "de Zella" or "Zelli" can be found in Renaissance literature and legal documents, reflecting the phonetic variations over time.

Among the notable historical figures bearing the surname Zella is Giovanni Zella (1482-1550), a prominent merchant from Florence who was known for his trade ventures across the Mediterranean. His business dealings are well-documented in the Florentine merchant guild records. Another noteworthy individual is Maria Zella (1665-1731), a nun and botanist in the convent of San Marco in Milan, recognized for her contributions to medicinal plant studies.

In the 18th century, Antonio Zella (1726-1799) gained attention as a composer and musician in Venice, leaving behind a legacy of Baroque music compositions. His works are preserved in archives, reflecting the cultural impact of the Zella family. Moving into the 19th century, Luigi Zella (1802-1878) emerged as a significant political figure in the Risorgimento movement that led to the unification of Italy. His involvement is documented in numerous historical records and letters exchanged with other leaders of the time.

Feliciano Zella (1845-1910), an engineer and inventor, also carried the surname into prominence through his innovative designs in the developing railroad industry during the Industrial Revolution.

The name Zella, thus, holds a rich tapestry of historical narratives, geographical significance, and distinguished individuals who have left their mark in various fields over the centuries.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Zella

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

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

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

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