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

Zile, 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 Zile surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Zile in America

Zile is the 87663rd most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Zile surname appeared 212 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 Zile.

We can also compare 2010 data for Zile 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 Zile

The surname Zile is of distinct historical interest and is believed to have its origins in Eastern Europe, particularly in what is now Latvia. The roots of the surname can be traced back to the medieval period, possibly as early as the 12th century when family names began to be used more broadly in the region. Originating specifically from the Baltic area, the name Zile is believed to be derived from old Latvian words. One plausible connection is with the Latvian word "zile," which means "blue tit", a small bird that might have signified some totemic or symbolic significance to the original bearers of the surname.

Early records of the name date back to the 14th century, primarily found in regional manuscripts and church records. As these documents were standardized over the years, variations of the name Zile appeared such as Szile or Zyli. One of the earliest mentions in historical documents appears in the "Livonian Rhymed Chronicle," where a Zile family is noted among minor nobility involved in local trade and administrative affairs.

The name Zile also appears in several official documents during the 16th and 17th centuries, especially as the Livonian Order, ruling in modern-day Latvia and Estonia, began to face wars and trade disputes that required formal record-keeping. One particularly notable Zile from this period was Jānis Zile, born in 1561 and a prominent figure in Riga's mercantile class. His involvement in the Hanseatic League's trade network is well-documented and remains a key part of the name’s historical narrative.

In the 18th century, the Zile family name emerged in military registers, reflecting a shift from trade and administration to military service. Mārtiņš Zile, born in 1703, served as an officer in the Latvian Riflemen during the early 18th century. He is remembered for his contributions to regional stability during times of shifting geopolitics in Eastern Europe.

The 19th century saw the surname associated with cultural endeavors as well. Kārlis Zile, born in 1820, was a notable Latvian folklorist who collected and published folk songs and tales. His works are still referenced in studies of Latvian oral traditions. Another significant figure was Ieva Zile, born in 1875, a teacher and women's rights advocate who played a prominent role in the development of the Latvian education system.

Throughout history, the surname Zile has remained relatively localized, sustaining its strong Baltic roots while extending slightly through emigration into neighboring countries such as Poland and Lithuania. Despite its relatively modest numbers, the Zile name signifies a rich legacy intertwined with the social, military, and cultural fabrics of Latvian history.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Zile

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

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

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

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