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

Zenil, 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 Zenil surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Zenil in America

Zenil is the 97671st most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Zenil surname appeared 186 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 Zenil.

We can also compare 2010 data for Zenil 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 Zenil

The surname Zenil finds its origins in Europe, more specifically in regions influenced by Romance or Germanic languages. The etymology of Zenil is somewhat obscure, but it is believed to derive from the Old High German word "zein," meaning "to declare or proclaim," or from the Latin word "zemella," meaning "a small piece of land." This suggests that the name could have been initially used to identify individuals who were town criers, heralds, or small landowners.

One of the earliest mentions of a surname similar to Zenil can be found in medieval manuscripts dating back to the 12th century. The name appears in various legal documents and church records, particularly in regions that are today part of Germany and France. In these early references, the name is occasionally spelled as Senil or Zeynil, indicating possible variations over time and local dialects.

A prominent historical reference to the name comes from the town records of Mainz in the late 14th century. A merchant named Friedrich Zenil is documented as a notable figure involved in trading textiles. His business dealings and contributions to the local economy are well-recorded, showing that the Zenil name had established a degree of prominence by this time.

In the 15th century, the Zenil name appeared in Spain, suggesting migration or independent emergence. Juan de Zenil, born circa 1420 and died 1487, is one of the notable figures from this period. A minor noble and landowner, Juan de Zenil is recorded in military rosters as participating in the Reconquista, the campaign to reclaim Spanish land from Moorish control.

In Renaissance Italy, the Zenil family is documented in the city of Venice. A 16th-century painter, Lorenzo Zenil (1532-1589), is well-regarded for his religious frescoes and contributions to Venetian art. His works are still studied today as examples of the period's artistic style, showing the cultural impact of the Zenil surname.

Moving forward to the 17th century, records from Vienna, Austria, mention a certain Maria Zenil (1645-1703), who was a noted midwife and herbalist. Maria Zenil's expertise in traditional medicine and her published herbal remedies mark her as an influential figure in the history of European folk medicine.

In France, during the 18th century, the Zenil name reappears in the context of the Enlightenment. Philippe Zenil (1710-1775) was a philosopher and writer, whose treatises on social justice and political theory influenced contemporary thinkers. His works were published in several European languages, marking the name’s intellectual legacy.

Across different countries and centuries, the surname Zenil has seen varied usage and significance. Each of these figures highlights how the name has evolved and been influential in multiple areas such as commerce, nobility, art, medicine, and philosophy. This rich tapestry of history underscores the enduring presence and legacy of the Zenil surname.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Zenil

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

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

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

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