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

Zetouna, 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 Zetouna surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Zetouna in America

Zetouna is the 127494th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Zetouna surname appeared 134 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 Zetouna.

The history of the last name Zetouna

The surname Zetouna originates primarily from the Middle East, with strong ties to Arabic-speaking regions. The name is derived from the Arabic word 'zeitoun,' which translates to 'olive.' The suffix 'a' often functions as a feminine marker in Arabic, but in surnames, it may simply contextualize the name geographically or culturally, pointing to someone associated with olives or olive growing.

The earliest references to the name Zetouna can be traced back to the medieval period in the Levant, especially in parts of modern-day Lebanon, Syria, and Palestine. During these times, olives were a significant agricultural product and a staple in the diet as well as a commodity for trade, thereby giving the surname a socio-economic context as well.

Historical records show that the name Zetouna does not appear extensively in European documents, such as the Domesday Book, as it is primarily an Arabic surname. However, manuscripts and trade records from Middle Eastern bazaars and coastal cities often mention families involved in the olive trade with surnames such as Zetouna.

One of the earliest recorded examples of the surname is Ahmed Zetouna, a merchant documented in the 15th century in the city of Aleppo, a major trading hub in Syria. He was known for his olive oil business which supplied oils to various parts of the Ottoman Empire. Another significant historical figure bearing the surname is Fatima al-Zetouna, born in 1623, who was a notable scholar in Cairo and contributed to several agricultural texts concerning olive cultivation.

Moving into more modern centuries, the name Zetouna appears less frequently in the annals of global history, but still retains prominence within local Middle Eastern records. For instance, Khalil Zetouna, born in 1745, was a prominent community leader in Beirut, contributing to the civic development of the city during Ottoman rule.

Another prominent individual is Leila Zetouna, born in 1820, who played a crucial role in preserving traditional olive cultivation techniques in her hometown in modern-day Jordan. She wrote various treatises on the subject that are still referenced in historical agricultural studies.

In the late 19th century, Yousef Zetouna, born in 1872, emigrated to South America, bringing with him the knowledge of olive farming. His efforts in Argentina helped establish new olive groves, thus impacting the agricultural development of the region.

In summary, the surname Zetouna has deep roots in the Middle East, particularly linked to the olive trade and agriculture. Its historical presence spans several centuries with notable figures contributing to both commerce and scholarly works related to olives. The name continues to hold cultural and historical significance in its regions of origin.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Zetouna

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

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

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

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