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

Zinzun, 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 Zinzun surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Zinzun in America

Zinzun is the 106570th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Zinzun surname appeared 167 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 Zinzun.

The history of the last name Zinzun

The surname Zinzun is believed to have its origins in the Purépecha (Tarascan) culture, a pre-Columbian civilization situated in the present-day Mexican states of Michoacán and Jalisco. The surname has strong indigenous roots, characteristic of many names stemming from Central and South America. In terms of etymology, Zinzun may be connected to the Purépecha word "tzintzuni," which means hummingbird. The hummingbird holds cultural significance for the Purépecha people, often associated with agility and resilience.

Historical references to the surname Zinzun are relatively sparse, given the predominantly oral traditions of the cultures from which it originated. Nevertheless, the name began to appear in colonial records following the Spanish conquest of Mexico. Early records from the late 16th and 17th centuries indicate that the surname was prevalent among indigenous communities who adapted to Spanish colonial rule while maintaining their cultural identity.

The earliest recorded instances of the surname appear in baptismal and marriage records from the late 1600s in areas such as Tzintzuntzan, a town in Michoacán that was once the capital of the Purépecha Empire. The name Zinzun likely evolved as indigenous names were transcribed into the Spanish language, resulting in various spellings reflecting its phonetic pronunciation.

One of the earliest notable bearers of the surname was Bartolo Zinzun, recorded in parish registers from early 18th-century Michoacán. His name appears in documents related to land disputes and community leadership, indicating his social importance within the region. Another notable figure, María Zinzun, appears in marriage records from the 1750s in the town of Pátzcuaro, showcasing the surname’s usage among prominent local families.

In the 19th century, the Zinzun surname continued to be associated with prominent community figures, such as José Zinzun, born in 1823, who served as a local artisan and community leader in the town of Quiroga, Michoacán. His contributions to local crafts and his leadership in communal decisions were well-documented in municipal records.

Moving into the 20th century, the name gained further recognition through the activist work of Bert Corona Zinzun, born in 1918, an influential labor leader and civil rights activist. His advocacy for the rights of Mexican-American workers and his leadership in the establishment of several labor organizations solidified the name Zinzun in contemporary historical records.

Another prominent figure is Oscar Zinzun, born in 1948, who played a significant role in the Chicano Movement during the 1970s and 80s. He was an ardent advocate for police reform and community empowerment in Los Angeles, California. His work remains a critical part of the narrative of Chicano civil rights activism in the United States.

The history of the surname Zinzun traverses a rich cultural and historical landscape, from its indigenous roots in pre-Columbian Mexico to its prominent appearances in colonial and modern records. The enduring legacy of individuals bearing this surname attests to its significant cultural and social impact through the centuries.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Zinzun

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

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

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

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