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

Zientara, 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 Zientara surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Zientara in America

Zientara is the 58481st most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Zientara surname appeared 347 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 Zientara.

We can also compare 2010 data for Zientara 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 Zientara

The surname Zientara has its origins in Poland, a country with a rich tapestry of historical and cultural influences. Poland's history is marked by a complex interplay of native Slavic, Germanic, and other influences, which is reflected in its surnames. The surname Zientara likely emerged during the early to mid-medieval period, around the 12th to 14th centuries, when surnames began to develop as a means of identifying individuals more clearly in official records and day-to-day life.

The name Zientara is thought to derive from the Polish word "zięć," which means son-in-law, combined with a diminutive or locative suffix, possibly "ar" or "ara," indicating belonging or origin. This construction could mean "son-in-law" in a local or familiar sense. Alternatively, some etymologists suggest that it might have derived from a place name, as was common in Polish surnames, indicating that the family originally hailed from a place named Zientara or something similar.

Historical records such as church registers, land records, and tax documents from the medieval period often contained names that would help identify individuals or families. One of the early mentions of the surname Zientara can be found in 15th-century court records from the Mazovian region of Poland. In this period, surnames were still evolving, and there were various spellings based on phonetic transcription. Variations such as Zentar, Zientarz, and Zientaryn are observed in older manuscripts, pointing to the fluid nature of medieval orthography.

One significant historical figure bearing the surname Zientara was Jan Zientara, a notable 16th-century scholar and cleric from Kraków, Poland. Jan Zientara was born around 1520 and made significant contributions to theological studies and the academic community in Kraków before his death in 1587. His works were referenced in various ecclesiastical writings of the time, solidifying the Zientara name in academic circles.

Another important bearer of the surname was Michał Zientara, a 17th-century nobleman and military leader. Born in 1610, Michał Zientara played a crucial role in local defense efforts against invading forces during the turbulent periods of Polish history, particularly during the Deluge, the series of mid-17th-century military campaigns in Poland. His leadership and valor were commemorated in several regional chronicles.

In the 18th century, a painter named Adam Zientara gained recognition for his distinctive style and contributions to Polish religious art. Born in 1748, Adam Zientara's works include several well-preserved altar pieces and murals that can still be admired in churches throughout the Lesser Poland region. He continued to work prolifically until his death in 1812, leaving a lasting artistic legacy.

Fast forward to the 19th century, Józef Zientara emerged as a prominent figure in Polish political movements. Born in 1834, Józef was an active participant in the January Uprising of 1863 against the Russian Empire. His dedication and strategic mind earned him a place in the annals of Polish resistance history. After the uprising, Józef Zientara contributed to the intellectual and cultural revival of Poland until his death in 1906.

Contributing to the fields of sports and journalism in the 20th century, another notable Zientara was Kazimierz Zientara, born in 1919. Kazimierz became well-known as a footballer, representing Poland in international matches before transitioning into a successful career as a sports journalist and commentator. His lively commentary and insights on the game fostered greater public interest in football in Poland. Kazimierz Zientara passed away in 2003, leaving behind a rich legacy in both athletics and media.

Each of these individuals' achievements helped cement the Zientara surname's place in various facets of Polish history, from academia and military to art and sports, demonstrating the diverse contributions of those who bore the name throughout centuries.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Zientara

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

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

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

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