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

Zintzun, 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 Zintzun surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Zintzun in America

Zintzun is the 159712th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Zintzun surname appeared 101 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 Zintzun.

The history of the last name Zintzun

The surname Zintzun is of indigenous origin from Mexico, specifically from the Purépecha people of the region historically known as Michoacán. The Purépecha are one of the pre-Columbian civilizations in Mexico, and their language, also called Purépecha, provides the roots for many surnames in that area. The surname Zintzun derives from the Purépecha word "Zintzuni," meaning "hummingbird." This bird is culturally significant and considered a sacred animal by the Purépecha, symbolizing vibrancy and agility.

The usage of the surname Zintzun can be traced back to the early colonial period in New Spain, now modern-day Mexico, starting from the 16th century. During this time, many indigenous people were baptized and registered under Spanish rule, and indigenous surnames were often retained as part of their identity. Early records from this era, such as church registries and census documents, occasionally mention individuals with the surname Zintzun, although the records are not always comprehensive due to the tumultuous nature of colonization.

One of the earliest recorded individuals with the surname Zintzun is Tzintzincha Tztereman, who was a cacique (chief) of Apupato, a town in the Lake Pátzcuaro region. Tzintzincha Tztereman lived during the late 16th century, and his name appears in several petitions to the colonial authorities, asserting the rights of his people. Another historical figure is Francisco Zintzun, a notable landowner and community leader during the 17th century who was instrumental in negotiating agricultural trading rights in Michoacán.

Throughout the centuries, the surname Zintzun has been carried by various notable individuals. Juan Zintzun, born in the early 18th century, was a recognized artist known for his intricate pottery that reflected the traditional Purépecha style. His works were preserved in various local museums in Michoacán. In the 19th century, Maria Dolores Zintzun, born in 1823, became an influential midwife and healer who contributed extensively to the community's health practices in the region.

In the 20th century, the name Zintzun continued to be prominent, one notable person being Antonio Zintzun Aguirre, born in 1905. He was a pioneering educator and advocate for preserving the Purépecha language and culture. His efforts in the academic field ensured the survival and recognition of the Purépecha heritage in modern Mexican society.

Another recent historical figure is Lucia Zintzun, born in 1952, who gained fame as an activist fighting for indigenous rights and environmental conservation in Michoacán. Her campaigns have brought significant policy changes and heightened awareness about the plight of indigenous communities and their ancestral lands.

Through the centuries, the surname Zintzun has remained a symbol of cultural pride and historical continuity for the Purépecha people. Its association with notable historical figures and their contributions to society underscores the enduring legacy of this indigenous heritage.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Zintzun

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

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 Zintzun 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.

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

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

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