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

Zhuk, 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 Zhuk surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Zhuk in America

Zhuk is the 51610th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Zhuk surname appeared 403 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 Zhuk.

We can also compare 2010 data for Zhuk 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 Zhuk

The surname Zhuk originates from Eastern Europe, specifically from the Slavic regions of Ukraine, Belarus, and Russia. The surname first appeared around the medieval period, roughly the 14th to 15th centuries, primarily in areas where the Eastern Slavic languages were spoken. The term 'zhuk' translates to 'beetle' in English, derived from the Old East Slavic word 'жук.'

The name Zhuk can be traced back to various old records and manuscripts from the regions it originated. One of the earliest mentions comes from a Ukrainian chronicle known as the Hypatian Codex, which includes records from the 12th to 14th centuries. The surname Zhuk or its variants often appeared in connection with local nobility and common folk alike, denoting a familial lineage rather than a title or occupation.

One of the oldest recorded instances of this surname is attributed to a soldier named Ivan Zhuk, who served in the Grand Duchy of Lithuania in the early 15th century. Ivan Zhuk was noted in military records around 1420, highlighting his contributions to various campaigns against the Teutonic Knights. The Zhuk family name spread through Eastern Europe, sometimes altered slightly in spelling depending on regional linguistic differences.

Another notable historical figure bearing the surname was Aleksei Zhuk, a Belarusian peasant leader involved in the Kalinowski Uprising of 1863. Born in 1835, Aleksei Zhuk became an influential figure in the movement, advocating for agrarian reforms and the rights of the peasantry. He was executed by the Russian authorities in 1864, becoming a symbol of resistance in Belarusian history.

In the realm of literature, the name Zhuk appears with Alexander Zhuk, a prolific Russian poet and writer from the late 19th century. Born in 1859, Alexander achieved recognition for his works depicting rural life and the socio-political changes of his time. He died in 1917, leaving behind a legacy celebrated in Russian literary circles.

A prominent military figure with the surname was Vasily Zhuk, a Soviet general born in 1886. He played a significant role during World War II, particularly noted for his leadership during the Battle of Stalingrad. General Vasily Zhuk received numerous accolades and honors for his service, passing away in 1953.

Another historical figure is Maria Zhuk, a Ukrainian activist and educator born in 1890. Maria became known for her work in promoting women's education and rights throughout Ukraine in the early 20th century. She left an indelible mark on Ukrainian society before her death in 1959, remembered as a pioneer in educational reforms.

Overall, the surname Zhuk carries a rich history intertwined with Eastern European culture and historical events. Its legacy includes military leaders, activists, and literary figures, making it a significant surname in the annals of history. The variations and historical references to the surname demonstrate its enduring presence from medieval times to the modern era within Eastern Europe.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Zhuk

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

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

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

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