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

Ziga, 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 Ziga surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Ziga in America

Ziga is the 64559th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Ziga surname appeared 308 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 Ziga.

We can also compare 2010 data for Ziga 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 Ziga

The surname Ziga has its origins in the regions of Slovenia and Croatia, with historical ties dating back to the medieval period. This surname is primarily found in the Slovene and Croatian communities, where it is pronounced and spelled as Žiga. The name Žiga is derived from a diminutive form of the given name Sigismund, a name that means "protection through victory" in Old High German. It loosely translates to a person who is victorious or conquering.

The surname Ziga appears in several medieval records and manuscripts. One of the earliest instances is found in the 14th century, with references to individuals bearing this surname in tax records and parish registries. These documents indicate that the name was relatively common among the peasantry and lower nobility in both Slovenia and Croatia. The varied spellings of the surname in historical records include Žiga, Schiga, and Siga, reflecting local dialectical changes and the influence of different alphabets used in the region.

One of the earliest recorded examples is Ivan Ziga, who appeared in a 1375 tax record from the town of Koper in Slovenia. This indicates that the family held some prominence in the local community. Another historical figure is Marko Ziga, born in 1452, a noted artisan in the town of Varaždin in Croatia. Marko Ziga was known for his work in ironmongery and his contributions to the local craft guilds.

The surname also appears among the clergy and landowners in the 16th century. For instance, Stephanus Ziga is documented in the records of the Diocese of Ljubljana around 1510. He was a notable cleric who played a role in the local religious community during the tumultuous period of the Reformation.

By the 18th century, the surname Ziga begins to appear in broader European contexts, signaling migration and movement of these families. Noteworthy is Ana Marija Ziga, born in 1704, who became a key figure in the local merchant class in the town of Zadar, Croatia. Her business acumen helped in establishing trade routes along the Adriatic coast.

Another significant individual is Mihael Ziga, born in 1788, a Slovenian political figure who was involved in the early movements for Slovenian national independence. Mihael's efforts helped to shape the discourse around Slovenian identity and governance.

The Ziga surname has thus traveled through centuries, embedding itself in the cultural and historical tapestry of Slovenia and Croatia. The name's connection to victory and protection suggests a lineage that valued strength and resilience. Over time, Ziga families have played crucial roles in the development of their communities across various sectors, from craftsmanship to politics, leaving an indelible mark in history.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Ziga

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

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

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

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