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

Ziaja, 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 Ziaja surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Ziaja in America

Ziaja is the 90495th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Ziaja surname appeared 204 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 Ziaja.

We can also compare 2010 data for Ziaja 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 Ziaja

The surname Ziaja is of Polish origin, and its history can be traced back to the regions of historical Poland. The name appears to have originated from the Southern part of Poland, particularly the regions of Lesser Poland (Małopolska). The etymology of Ziaja is likely connected to the Polish word "ziąć," which means "to take," suggesting possible occupational or characteristic origins related to the bearer’s actions or profession.

Historical references to the surname Ziaja date back to the late medieval period. The earliest instances of this name can be found in old Polish records, often in the context of land grants, tax registers, and legal documents. The surname also appears in the Kingdom of Poland's court records, reflecting the presence and activities of individuals bearing this surname in the society of the time.

One of the earliest recorded examples of the surname Ziaja is found in documents from the early 16th century. A notable mention in 1528 references Jan Ziaja, a landowner in the region of Kraków. Another early record is of Katarzyna Ziaja, who appeared in a legal document in 1574 pertaining to property disputes in Silesia. These instances indicate that the name was established and recognized within Polish society by the 16th century.

The surname also appears in various spellings in historical manuscripts, often reflecting the phonetic transcription of names in different regions. Variants like Ziejka or Ziąja can be observed in old church records and municipal documents. Notably, Andrzej Ziaja, born around 1620, was recorded as a prominent artisan in the town of Wieliczka, known for its salt mines. His contributions to the mining community are documented, highlighting the surname's association with skilled trades.

Famous individuals bearing the surname Ziaja in history include Marcin Ziaja, a noted 18th-century scholar and clergyman from the town of Bochnia, born in 1738 and died in 1802. Marcin Ziaja authored numerous theological works and was a respected figure in the academic circles of his time. The surname is also associated with Józef Ziaja, who served as a soldier in the Napoleonic Wars, documented in military records from 1812. His bravery and service are commemorated in historical accounts of the campaigns.

In the 19th century, the Ziaja surname was carried by Stanisław Ziaja, an influential journalist and political activist born in 1845. Operating during a period of national upheaval and reform, Stanisław's writings and activism played a significant role in the fight for Polish independence and social reforms. Additionally, Helena Ziaja, born in 1871, was a renowned Polish painter, whose works contributed significantly to the cultural landscape of Poland during the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

The surname Ziaja, embedded in Polish history, culture, and society, reflects the diverse roles and contributions of individuals bearing this name throughout the centuries.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Ziaja

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

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

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

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