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

Zerai, 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 Zerai surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Zerai in America

Zerai is the 119508th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Zerai surname appeared 145 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 Zerai.

The history of the last name Zerai

The surname Zerai originates from the Horn of Africa, particularly Eritrea and Ethiopia. The name has its roots in the Tigrinya and Amharic languages. Zerai is derived from the Ge'ez word ዘርዓ (Ze'ra'a), which means "my seed" or "my offspring". The name is associated with the agricultural practices of the region, emphasizing the importance of lineage and family heritage.

The earliest records of the surname Zerai can be traced back to medieval Ethiopia, during the reign of the Zagwe Dynasty (circa 900-1270 AD). Manuscripts and religious texts from this period reference various individuals bearing the name Zerai, indicating its long-standing presence in the region. One such reference is found in the hagiographies of Ethiopian saints, where individuals of notable piety and contribution to the church are mentioned with the name Zerai.

One of the earliest documented notable individuals with the surname Zerai is Zerai Deres (1906-1945), a prominent figure in Ethiopian history. He became famous for his defiant stand against Italian colonial rule, symbolizing Ethiopian resistance and pride. His legacy is celebrated in various historical accounts and literature.

Another historical figure is Zerai Kahsay, a governor in the Tigray region during the 19th century. He played a significant role in the local administration and is mentioned in various governmental records from the period. His governance contributed to the stability and prosperity of the region during a tumultuous era in Ethiopian history.

In the 20th century, Mengistu Zerai (1916-1979) emerged as a notable military leader during the Second Italo-Ethiopian War. His strategic acumen and leadership were instrumental in several key battles, and he is commemorated for his contributions to the Ethiopian military efforts during the war.

Tekle Zerai was an influential figure in the Ethiopian Orthodox Church in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. His theological writings and sermons have been preserved in religious texts, shedding light on his profound influence on Ethiopian Christianity during his time.

Tewolde Zerai (1920-1988), a renowned scholar and historian, made significant contributions to the study of Ethiopian history and culture. His extensive research and publications have provided invaluable insights into the rich heritage of the region.

The surname Zerai continues to hold cultural and historical significance in modern Eritrea and Ethiopia, revered as a name carrying deep roots in the region’s history, agriculture, and religious traditions.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Zerai

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

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

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

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