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

Ziemak, 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 Ziemak surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Ziemak in America

Ziemak is the 93125th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Ziemak surname appeared 197 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 Ziemak.

We can also compare 2010 data for Ziemak 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 Ziemak

The surname Ziemak is of Polish origin, and its roots can be traced back to medieval Poland, a period that encompasses roughly from the 10th to the 15th century. The name is believed to have originated in the northeastern regions of Poland, an area known historically for its lush, fertile lands and harsh winters. Ziemak is likely derived from the Polish word "ziemia," meaning "land" or "earth," combined with the suffix "-ak," which was commonly used to create diminutive or patronymic forms. Essentially, the surname Ziemak may have originally referred to someone who was a landowner or someone who worked the land.

One of the earliest known instances of the surname appears in Polish church records from the 16th century. These records, which were meticulously maintained by the Catholic Church, offer insights into the lives of many Polish ancestors. An old manuscript titled "Liber beneficiorum" composed by Jan Długosz in the late 15th century also makes mention of a family bearing a similar surname. This text, which catalogs various ecclesiastical benefices and related matters, hints at the presence of the Ziemak name among landowners and local gentry.

The earliest recorded individual with the surname Ziemak is Jakub Ziemak, born in 1594, in the Masovian Voivodeship. He was noted in local records for his role as a small-scale landowner and farmer, contributing to the local agrarian economy. Another historical figure is Stanisław Ziemak, who served as a village headman in the mid-17th century in the Podlaskie region. Born in 1623, Stanisław was recognized for his leadership during the Swedish invasion, known as The Deluge, and passed away in 1692.

Moving forward to the 18th century, Jan Ziemak, born in 1725, emerged as a significant figure in Warsaw. He was an influential merchant dealing in grain and textiles, showcasing the adaptability of the Ziemak name beyond agriculture. He played an active role in the city's burgeoning trade community until his death in 1790. The Ziemak name later appears in academic circles, with Kazimierz Ziemak, a noted scholar born in 1810. He specialized in Slavic linguistics and made important contributions to the study of Proto-Slavic languages until his passing in 1880.

Into the 19th century, the surname continued to carry weight, especially with figures like Maria Ziemak, born in 1864, a prominent activist and suffragette. She was instrumental in advocating for women's rights in Poland, participating in numerous campaigns and movements until her death in 1932. Her work helped pave the way for gender equality in Polish society during a transformative period in the nation's history.

The surname Ziemak, rooted deeply in Poland's rich historical and cultural tapestry, encapsulates a legacy of land stewardship, leadership, intellectual pursuit, and social activism. This name, with its enduring presence from medieval times through the modern era, reflects an evolving narrative of identity and heritage.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Ziemak

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

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

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

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