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

Zielonka, 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 Zielonka surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Zielonka in America

Zielonka is the 55741st most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Zielonka surname appeared 368 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 Zielonka.

We can also compare 2010 data for Zielonka 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 Zielonka

The surname Zielonka originates from Poland and is deeply rooted in Slavic etymology. The name can be traced back to the medieval period, specifically around the 13th to 14th centuries. It originates from areas where the Polish language and culture were prominent, such as Greater Poland and Pomerania.

Zielonka is derived from the Polish word "zielony," which means "green." This indicates that the name could have originally referred to someone who lived near a green area, a verdant landscape, or perhaps someone who worked with greenery or plants. The suffix "ka" is a diminutive form, suggesting smallness or affection, often used to denote locations or lesser nobility.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Zielonka appears in Polish church records from the 16th century. In 1552, Jan Zielonka was noted in Kraków's municipal documents. This early mention indicates the social relevance and establishment of the name in urban records.

The surname Zielonka is also associated with geographic locations. A village named Zielonka exists in the Masovian Voivodeship, near Warsaw, and another in the Greater Poland Voivodeship. These place names might have contributed to the distribution of the surname among the population.

A notable historical figure is Andrzej Zielonka, born in 1628, who was a known landowner and minor nobleman in the Pomeranian region. His contributions to local governance during the 17th century are documented in various legal texts and property records.

Another significant individual is Aleksander Zielonka, a 19th-century military officer who served in the November Uprising of 1830-1831. His efforts against Russian domination are commemorated in Polish military history.

In 1845, Marcin Zielonka, a scholar and educator, published several works on Polish grammar and Slavic linguistics, contributing to academic and cultural discussions of his time. His works are still referenced in historical linguistic studies.

By the early 20th century, Józef Zielonka, born in 1890, became a prominent figure in Polish politics and journalism. His writings during the interwar period highlighted the socio-political changes in Poland and influenced public opinion.

Wanda Zielonka, an artist born in 1902, gained recognition in the mid-20th century for her contributions to Polish art, particularly in painting and sculpture. Her exhibitions garnered attention both domestically and internationally, earning her a place in art history.

These historical references and notable individuals illustrate the deep-rooted presence and multifaceted contributions of people bearing the surname Zielonka throughout Polish history. The name remains a testament to the enduring cultural and social legacy within Poland and beyond.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Zielonka

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

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

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

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