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

Zivic, 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 Zivic surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Zivic in America

Zivic is the 86981st most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Zivic surname appeared 214 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 Zivic.

We can also compare 2010 data for Zivic 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 Zivic

The surname Zivic has its origins in the Slavic-speaking regions of southeastern Europe, particularly in areas that are part of present-day Serbia, Bosnia, and Croatia. This surname traces back to the medieval period, a time when the South Slavic groups were establishing their communities and identities. The earliest references to the name Zivic can be found in manuscripts and documents dating back to the 14th and 15th centuries, although precise records from that era are scarce.

The name Zivic is derived from the Slavic word "ziv," which translates to "alive" or "living." This root word is common in many Slavic languages, reflecting a cultural emphasis on vitality and life. The suffix "-ic" is a common diminutive in Slavic surnames, indicating "son of" or "descendant of," thus Zivic could be interpreted as "son of the living one" or "descendant of the vibrant."

Historical references to the surname Zivic can be found in various regional records. For example, in the 16th century, a manuscript from the Dubrovnik archives mentions a certain Petar Zivic, who lived in the coastal city and was involved in maritime trade. This indicates that the name was present among the mercantile class in the Adriatic region during the Renaissance.

One of the earliest recorded individuals with this surname was Nikola Zivic, a soldier who fought in the Battle of Kosovo in 1389. This battle was a significant event in Serbian history, and Nikola’s name appears in several ballads and records commemorating the fight against the Ottoman Empire.

Another notable person was Miroslav Zivic, born in the early 17th century in the region that is now Bosnia and Herzegovina. Miroslav was known for his work as a stonemason and left behind several stone carvings and edifices that have inscriptions bearing his surname. His work significantly contributed to the architectural heritage of the region.

Moving forward in time, the name Zivic appears in the annals of the Habsburg Monarchy. Ivan Zivic, born in 1750, served as a captain in the Austrian military and was noted for his valor during the wars against the Ottoman Turks. His military service brought him recognition and he was mentioned in dispatches and military records of the time.

In the 20th century, the surname gained international attention through Fritzie Zivic (1913-1984), an American boxer of Croatian descent who became the world welterweight champion. Born as Ferdinand Henry John Zivic in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Fritzie’s achievements in the boxing ring brought the surname into the spotlight, particularly in sports history.

Also noteworthy is Marija Zivic, a Serbian poet born in 1868, who wrote extensively about the everyday life and struggles of the Serbian people during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Her works have been anthologized, and her surname has thus been associated with Serbian literature and cultural history.

Overall, the surname Zivic has a rich history tied to the regions of Southeast Europe, with its bearers having made significant contributions in various fields such as military, trade, art, and sports. The name continues to be recognized as a symbol of cultural and historical heritage.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Zivic

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

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

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

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