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

Zilinskas, 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 Zilinskas surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Zilinskas in America

Zilinskas is the 95545th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Zilinskas surname appeared 191 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 Zilinskas.

We can also compare 2010 data for Zilinskas 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 Zilinskas

The surname Zilinskas has its origins in Lithuania, a Baltic country in Northern Europe. It is most commonly associated with the Lithuanian-speaking population and dates back to medieval times. The name is thought to be derived from the Lithuanian word "žilė," which means "gray hair," possibly referring to an elderly or wise ancestor. Another theory suggests the name could be associated with places named Ziliniai or Žiliniškės, which are small villages in Lithuania.

Historically, the name Zilinskas appears in various records from the Grand Duchy of Lithuania, which was one of the most significant European states in the 14th and 15th centuries. While it is difficult to pinpoint the exact first appearance of the surname, it is known to have been recorded in tax documents and manorial rolls from the 16th century. These records often listed landowners and prominent residents, suggesting that individuals with the surname held some degree of status.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the surname Zilinskas can be found in a 1567 military conscription list in Lithuania, which listed a Petras Zilinskas as a cavalryman. This record suggests that the name was well-established by this time period and associated with the lesser nobility or the warrior class.

Another notable figure bearing this surname was Juozas Zilinskas, a 17th-century noble who is mentioned in land ownership documents from 1683. Juozas Zilinskas held significant land around the present-day Kaunas region, reflecting his status and influence during that period.

In the 18th century, the name appears in ecclesiastical records, notably in the case of Jonas Zilinskas, a priest who served in the Vilnius Diocese from 1720 to 1755. These records provide insight into the spread of the surname into various professional and clerical roles, indicating its broader societal embedding.

Entering the 19th century, the name Zilinskas continued to show up in various military and administrative records. For instance, Antanas Zilinskas, born in 1812, served as an officer in the Lithuanian regiment of the Imperial Russian Army. His service is documented in military dispatches and rosters from the 1830s and 1840s, highlighting the name's presence in formal state structures.

Towards the late 19th century, the name is found among political activists and cultural figures. One such individual was Juozas Zilinskas, born in 1871, who was actively involved in the Lithuanian National Revival movement, advocating for the country's independence from the Russian Empire. Juozas Zilinskas's contributions are documented in various periodicals and political pamphlets from that era.

Throughout its history, the surname Zilinskas has marked individuals of notable social standing, military involvement, and cultural significance in Lithuania. The name serves as a reminder of the rich heritage and diverse roles that bearers of this surname have played in Lithuanian history.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Zilinskas

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

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

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

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