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

Zenon, 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 Zenon surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Zenon in America

Zenon is the 19911th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Zenon surname appeared 1,348 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 Zenon.

We can also compare 2010 data for Zenon 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 Zenon

Zenon is a surname with roots tracing back to ancient Greece, originating from the name Zenon (Ζήνων). The name is derived from the Greek god Zeus, with Zenon meaning "of Zeus," signifying divine patronage. This surname was notably prevalent in regions of Greece and Cyprus, evolving alongside the Greek language.

The earliest records of the name Zenon date back to ancient manuscripts and inscriptions during the Hellenistic period, around the 3rd to 1st centuries BCE. Zenon of Elea, a pre-Socratic Greek philosopher born circa 490 BCE, is often associated with this name, although primarily noted as a philosopher rather than someone identified by the surname. The philosophical dialogues and paradoxes attributed to him ensured the name's literary significance.

In historical records, the surname Zenon appears in Byzantine texts and other medieval Greek writings. The "Ecthesis Chronica," a Byzantine historical text, mentions individuals with the surname Zenon, indicating its usage and continuation through the Byzantine Empire from approximately 330 to 1453 CE. Furthermore, references to Zenon can be found in various religious and civic documents of the time.

One notable individual from the 16th century was Zenon Ligowsky, a Polish-Greek scholar who contributed to the spread of Hellenic studies in Eastern Europe. His works are preserved in the archives of the University of Kraków, showcasing the surname's expansion beyond the borders of Greece.

Another figure is Zenon the Tax Collector, mentioned in Venetian records from the 17th century. As Venice had control over several parts of Greece, including Crete and the Ionian islands, the name Zenon can be found in various administrative documents of the Republic of Venice during this period.

Zenon Bohosiewicz, a prominent 18th-century Lithuanian nobleman, also left his mark in history. His contributions to Lithuanian literature and his role in the politics of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania are recorded in numerous historical texts from the region.

In the 19th century, Zenon Rozman, a Slovenian political figure, played a crucial role during the Napoleonic Wars. His efforts in safeguarding Slovenian cultural artifacts and promoting educational reform were significant, as noted in the regional historical archives.

Zenon Neronovich, a 20th-century Russian mathematician, made substantial advancements in the field of topology. His published works, housed in the Russian State Library, continue to influence modern mathematical theories.

Throughout history, the surname Zenon has appeared in various forms and spellings, including Zenon, Zeno, and Zenow, reflecting its Greek origins and its dispersion across Europe. The surname's rich history is interwoven with cultural and intellectual advancements, solidifying its legacy across centuries.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Zenon

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

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

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

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