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

Zion, 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 Zion surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Zion in America

Zion is the 20216th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Zion surname appeared 1,318 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 Zion.

We can also compare 2010 data for Zion 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 Zion

The surname Zion traces its origins to the Middle East, particularly the region that encompasses modern-day Israel and Palestine. The name is derived from the ancient Hebrew word "Tsiyon," which refers to a hill in Jerusalem, and by extension, often signifies the entire city of Jerusalem in biblical texts. The name Zion itself has deep, historical roots, embedded in religious and cultural significance for Jewish, Christian, and even Islamic traditions.

The earliest references to Zion in historical records can be found in religious scriptures like the Bible, where Zion is frequently mentioned as a significant and sacred location. While in these texts the term "Zion" is used to describe a place, over the centuries it began to appear as a surname. By the medieval period, the use of Zion as a surname began to spread, particularly among Jewish communities, reflecting their cultural and spiritual connection to the ancient city and hill of Zion.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the surname in written form can be found in Central European Jewish communities during the medieval era. In these records, variations in spelling such as Sion or Tzion have also been documented. These variations often depended on the regional dialects and languages of the time, such as Yiddish or Ladino.

Over time, the name Zion translates into recognizable figures in historical records. Isaac Zion, a 16th-century rabbi and scholar, is among the earliest to bear the name. He was known for his teachings and writings within the Jewish community of Prague. Another significant figure is Eliezer Zion, a rabbi and poet from the 17th century, who was influential in the Jewish communities in Poland and Germany.

In the 18th century, we encounter David Zion, born in 1732 and known for his extensive work in Jewish jurisprudence. Living most of his life in Lithuania, David Zion’s legal writings continue to be referenced in rabbinical studies. The 19th century saw figures such as Miriam Zion, born in 1824, a noted philanthropist who played a significant role in supporting Jewish settlements in Palestine.

Another individual of note is Max Zion, born in 1885, who was a prominent figure in the Zionist movement, advocating for the establishment of a Jewish homeland in Palestine. He worked closely with leading figures of the time and contributed significantly to the political and social discourse surrounding the establishment of Israel.

Throughout history, the surname Zion carries significant cultural and historical weight, deeply intertwined with the heritage and evolution of Jewish communities across the world. It remains a symbol of religious, cultural, and historical identity, continuing to appear in records and family histories passed down through generations.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Zion

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

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

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

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