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

Zemek, 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 Zemek surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Zemek in America

Zemek is the 86981st most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Zemek surname appeared 214 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 Zemek.

We can also compare 2010 data for Zemek 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 Zemek

The surname Zemek has its origins in the Czech Republic, a landlocked country in Central Europe known for its rich history and cultural heritage. The name is traditionally associated with regions that were historically part of Bohemia and Moravia, which are now integral parts of the modern Czech Republic. The time period when the surname first appeared is not precisely documented, but it is believed to have emerged during the medieval era, approximately between the 13th and 15th centuries. Zemek is derived from the Old Czech word “zem,” which means “land” or “earth.” This indicates that the name likely referred to someone who was a landowner or someone who lived on or worked the land.

One of the earliest documented records of the surname Zemek appears in historical manuscripts from the 15th century. During this time, records kept by local parishes and municipalities began to show the distinct surname among landholders and peasants. An example of this can be found in the land records of Moravia from the late 1400s, where a "Jan Zemek" is listed as a small landholder. These records are among the earliest examples of the name's appearance in official documents, marking the Zemek family’s established presence in the region.

Another significant historical reference occurs in the 16th century with the appearance of a "Pavel Zemek" who is mentioned in a legal dispute documented in Prague’s municipal archives. Born around 1550, Pavel Zemek was involved in a case concerning land boundaries, a common issue of the time. This not only demonstrates the name's ongoing association with land but also suggests that members of the Zemek family were integrally involved in local community and legal matters.

In the 17th century, evidence of the surname Zemek is found in a different context. A record from 1623 in the town of Brno lists a "Katerina Zemek," who was recognized in local church records for her contributions to the parish. This shift from land records to religious and social registers indicates a broadening of the name's appearance in various aspects of societal documentation.

The 19th century saw the proliferation of the surname beyond its original localized regions. A prominent individual bearing the surname from this era is "Josef Zemek," born in 1820, a noted Czech nationalist and lawyer who played a significant role in the political movements of the time, advocating for Czech independence and rights within the Austro-Hungarian Empire. Josef Zemek's contributions are well-documented in periodicals and legal correspondences from the mid-1800s, highlighting the surname's linkage to Czech intellectual and political history.

Another influential figure is "Emil Zemek," born in 1885, who became recognized for his work as an educator and author. His writings on the Czech language and local folklore were instrumental in preserving and promoting regional culture. Emil Zemek’s efforts are documented in various publications from the early 20th century, reflecting the impact of the Zemek surname in literary and academic circles.

The surname Zemek has transcended its initial association with land and property, branching into various sectors such as law, education, and cultural preservation. With its roots firmly planted in medieval Czech society, the name has continued to evolve, leaving a lasting legacy through the contributions of its bearers over the centuries.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Zemek

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

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

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

Reference this page

We spend a lot of resources downloading, cleaning, merging, and formatting the data that is shown on the site.

If you found the data or information on this page useful in your research, please use the tool below to properly cite or reference Name Census as the source. We appreciate your support!