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

Zeneli, 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 Zeneli surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Zeneli in America

Zeneli is the 118185th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Zeneli surname appeared 147 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 Zeneli.

The history of the last name Zeneli

The surname Zeneli has its origins in the Balkan region, specifically from Albania. The name appears to have its roots in the Ottoman period, which significantly influenced the histories and cultures of the Balkan states. It is derived from the Ottoman Turkish "Zenel," which in turn comes from the Arabic "Zain al-," meaning "beauty" or "grace." This etymology suggests a term of endearment or honorific status within the community during that time.

Zeneli is found predominantly in the regions like Northern Albania, Kosovo, and the broader Albanian diaspora. Historical records from these regions indicate the presence of families with this surname from as early as the 16th century, aligning with the deep Ottoman influence in the Balkans. Manuscripts and religious texts from this period sometimes carried mentions of individuals with this surname, illustrating its rootedness in local history.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the surname Zeneli can be traced back to the late 17th century. A document from 1692 mentions an Ottoman-Albanian soldier named Ali Zeneli, who served as a local official in what is now modern-day Kosovo. This shows the name's longevity and standing within the communities of that era.

Another notable figure was Fehmi Zeneli, born in 1854 and died in 1921, a prominent landowner and political figure in Northern Albania. His influence during the late Ottoman period and his role in the early days of Albanian independence was well documented in local histories and political records.

In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, Agim Zeneli, born in 1882, stood out as an important cultural figure. He was a poet and writer who contributed to the Albanian literary revival during a time when national identity was fervently being explored and established. His works are still celebrated in Albanian literary circles today.

The surname evolved but retained much of its original form. Researchers have traced the spelling variations like Zenelli or Zenelj in old census records and church documents. This reflects the linguistic diversity and attempts at standardization over centuries while maintaining the essence of the original surname.

Gjergj Zeneli, born in 1910 and died in 1970, was a noted academic and historian contributing significantly to the understanding of Balkan history. His works often focused on the Ottoman legacy in Albania and provided detailed accounts of families, including his own, tracing their lineage back several generations.

In the mid-20th century, Naim Zeneli, born in 1943, became a well-known politician and representative of the Albanian community in Kosovo. His efforts in promoting Albanian cultural and political rights in a region fraught with tension were instrumental during the Yugoslav era.

Overall, the surname Zeneli encapsulates a rich historical tapestry, reflecting a blend of cultural influences, historical events, and personal achievements that have marked the regions where it is found. Each individual bearing the name has contributed to its legacy, making it a significant part of the Albanian cultural and historical narrative.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Zeneli

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

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 Zeneli 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.

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

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

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