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

Zeta, 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 Zeta surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Zeta in America

Zeta is the 152628th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Zeta surname appeared 107 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 Zeta.

The history of the last name Zeta

The surname Zeta has a rich and varied history that is rooted in the Mediterranean region, specifically stemming from Southern Europe. It is believed that the origins of this surname can be traced back to ancient Greece, and perhaps even earlier to the Byzantine period. The name itself likely derives from the Greek letter 'Zeta,' which holds the numerical value of seven in the Greek alphabet, symbolizing completion and perfection in some ancient philosophical traditions.

The name Zeta not only comes from the Greek letter but is also found in historical regions and place names within the Balkans. The principality of Zeta, which existed from the late 14th to the early 16th centuries in what is now Montenegro, is a significant historical reference to this surname. This principality played an essential role during the period of the medieval Serbian state and the early formation of Montenegrin identity. Historical records from this era often mention noble families bearing the name Zeta as rulers or influential figures within the principality.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the surname Zeta appears in Byzantine documents from the 12th century, where a nobleman named Alexios Zeta is noted for his contributions to the Byzantine military campaigns. This establishes the antiquity and nobility aspects associated with the surname. The name was also found in various forms, including Zeten and Zetas across different regions as local dialects influenced its spelling.

During the Renaissance, the surname Zeta was carried forward by several notable individuals. In the 15th century, Giovanni Zeta, a Venetian merchant born in 1421, was known for his extensive trade networks across the Adriatic Sea. His ventures contributed to the spread of the name beyond the immediate regions of its origin. This era also saw variations of the surname appearing in different historical documents.

In the 17th century, one prominent bearer of the surname was Father Angelo Zeta, a Jesuit missionary born in 1603, who worked extensively in spreading education and healthcare in South America. His contributions are documented in various missionary reports and letters of the period, highlighting the geographical dispersion of the surname beyond Europe. Father Angelo Zeta's work significantly impacted local communities and left a lasting legacy.

Another historical reference to the surname is found in the context of the Ottoman Empire. In the 18th century, Demetrius Zeta, born in 1725, was a known scribe and diplomat who served in the Ottoman court. His detailed records and correspondences provide insight into the administrative and diplomatic activities of the time. His association with the Ottoman administration emphasizes the surname's presence across broader regions and its integration into diverse cultural settings.

In the 19th century, a notable figure with the surname Zeta is Aleksei Zeta, born in 1804, a Russian literary critic who contributed significantly to the literary debates and the evolution of Russian literature. His writings and critiques were published in various literary journals of the time, establishing his reputation in the intellectual circles. His work contributed to the rich cultural heritage associated with the surname.

The surname Zeta, with its deep roots in historical, noble, and intellectual traditions, provides a fascinating glimpse into the cultural and geographical journey of a name that has traversed continents and centuries. From Byzantine nobility to Ottoman diplomacy and Renaissance trade to literary criticism, the name Zeta encapsulates a rich tapestry of human history and achievement.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Zeta

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

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

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

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