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

Zemaitis, 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 Zemaitis surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Zemaitis in America

Zemaitis is the 34272nd most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Zemaitis surname appeared 662 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 Zemaitis.

We can also compare 2010 data for Zemaitis 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 Zemaitis

The surname Zemaitis originates from Lithuania, a country in the Baltic region. Specifically, the name is linked to the Samogitia region, known in the Lithuanian language as Žemaitija. The term "Žemaitis" directly translates to "a person from Samogitia," highlighting its geographic connection to this historical area. The name is derived from the Lithuanian words "žema," meaning "low," and "itis," a suffix common in Lithuanian surnames, indicating a person.

The historical roots of the Samogitia region date back to at least the 13th century, making it an area with a rich and storied past. During the medieval period, Samogitia was a fiercely independent region, often in conflict with neighboring states, which might have contributed to the surname's formation as a means to identify individuals from this distinct area. Old records and manuscripts from the Grand Duchy of Lithuania occasionally mention people from this region, often using variations of the name Zemaitis.

One of the earliest recorded examples of the surname Zemaitis can be found in Lithuanian medieval documents. For example, a notable reference occurs in Lithuanian Chronicles dating back to the 15th century. Although precise individual records are sparse, these chronicles frequently refer to the residents of Samogitia, indirectly supporting the surname's existence in that era.

Throughout history, several people with the surname Zemaitis have achieved fame. Antanas Zemaitis, born in 1890 and died in 1982, was a prominent Lithuanian mathematician and educator. His contributions to mathematics in the early 20th century are well-documented in educational reforms and publications. Another notable figure is Juozas Zemaitis, a Lithuanian resistance fighter born in 1909, who played a significant role in the anti-Soviet resistance after World War II, a key figure in Lithuania's fight for independence.

Kazimieras Zemaitis, born in 1926, was an influential Lithuanian botanist and ecologist. His studies and research greatly advanced the understanding of Baltic flora and ecosystems. Another distinguished individual bearing the surname is Jonas Zemaitis-Vytautas, born in 1909 and executed by Soviet authorities in 1954. Jonas was a prominent military leader and one of the heads of the Lithuanian partisans, actively involved in resisting Soviet occupation.

Lastly, historian and ethnographer Elena Zemaitis, born in 1935, made significant contributions to the understanding of Lithuanian folklore and traditional culture. Her published works remain a valuable resource for both academic scholars and cultural enthusiasts.

The surname Zemaitis thus has a profound connection to Lithuanian history and culture, with a lineage of individuals who have made significant contributions to their fields, and roots that trace back well into the historical fabric of the region.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Zemaitis

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

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

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

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