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

Zewdie, 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 Zewdie surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Zewdie in America

Zewdie is the 59470th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Zewdie surname appeared 340 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 Zewdie.

We can also compare 2010 data for Zewdie 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 Zewdie

The surname Zewdie originates from Ethiopia, a country in the Horn of Africa with a rich cultural and linguistic heritage. It is deeply rooted in the Amharic language, where "Zewdie" means "Crown" or "He who descends." This surname highlights a sense of royalty and a connection to noble lineage, which is significant in Ethiopian history.

The earliest occurrences of the name Zewdie can be traced back to the medieval period, especially among the Amhara people who were influential in the Solomonic dynasty. The name has links to notable historical figures within the Ethiopian Empire, highlighting its aristocratic connotations. One of the earliest documented uses of the name comes from ancient church manuscripts, indicating individuals who held ecclesiastical or civil authority.

A prominent historical figure bearing this name is Ras Zewdie, a nobleman and military leader from the late 19th century during the reign of Emperor Menelik II. He played a crucial role in the Battle of Adwa in 1896, which was a significant victory for Ethiopia against Italian colonial forces. Ras Zewdie's influence extended into the early 20th century, marking him a stalwart of Ethiopian independence and sovereignty.

Another notable figure is Lieut. General Zewde Gebre-Selassie, who served as a high-ranking military officer during the Derg regime in Ethiopia from the 1970s to the 1980s. He was instrumental in reorganizing the Ethiopian military structure and played a role in numerous government operations.

Additional historical figures include Zewdie Hailemariam, a renowned Ethiopian diplomat and ambassador in the mid-20th century who represented Ethiopia in various international forums, promoting peace and development. His contributions to Ethiopian foreign policy during the post-World War II period are still remembered today.

In the realm of academia, Professor Zewdie Gabre-Medhin, born in 1934 and passing in 2012, was a distinguished Ethiopian poet, playwright, and scholar. His works explored the themes of identity, nationality, and the cultural heritage of Ethiopia, gaining recognition both domestically and internationally.

Lastly, Zewde Retta, a historian and author, has contributed significantly to Ethiopian historiography. His extensive research on Ethiopia’s social and political history has been vital in understanding the complexities of Ethiopian society and its evolution through the centuries.

The surname Zewdie is intrinsically linked to Ethiopian history and culture, symbolizing a blend of nobility, leadership, and intellectual contribution, leaving a lasting legacy through multiple generations.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Zewdie

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

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

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

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