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

Zlatev, 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 Zlatev surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Zlatev in America

Zlatev is the 152628th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Zlatev surname appeared 107 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 Zlatev.

The history of the last name Zlatev

The surname Zlatev originates from Bulgaria, appearing prominently in the Balkan region. Its roots can be traced back to the Slavic languages, specifically derived from the word "zlatо," which means "gold" in Bulgarian. This etymology suggests that the name was initially a descriptor, possibly referring to someone who worked with gold or who had a golden or prosperous demeanor.

The earliest mentions of the surname Zlatev can be found in historical records dating back to the late 14th and early 15th centuries, a period marking significant schisms and Ottoman invasions in Bulgarian history. Villages and smaller communities in regions such as Veliko Tarnovo and Plovdiv bear records of the name. Spellings have remained relatively unchanged, with variations like Zlateff and Zlatyov appearing in older manuscripts.

One of the earliest recorded individuals with this surname was Petar Zlatev, a notable merchant in the 16th century who was documented in trade records between Bulgaria and the Ottoman Empire. Petar played a significant role in the economic exchanges of the time, particularly around the year 1554. His contributions to trade underline the name’s association with prosperous activities.

During the Bulgarian National Revival in the 18th and 19th centuries, another significant figure was Stefan Zlatev, born in 1769 and passed away in 1838. Stefan was a teacher and deacon who actively participated in the educational reforms and eaching Bulgarian literacy. His efforts laid the foundations for modern Bulgarian education at a time when it was under Ottoman rule.

In the 20th century, the name became more prominent with the rise of Rayko Zlatev, a respected writer and journalist born in 1893 and dying in 1967. Rayko was known for his literary works that documented Bulgarian rural life and the changes brought by industrialization. His writings provide crucial insights into the socio-economic conditions of Bulgaria during his lifetime.

In the artistic sphere, Todor Zlatev is a well-known name. Born in 1924, Todor was a distinguished painter whose works primarily focused on Bulgarian landscapes and traditions. His paintings, created throughout the mid to late 20th century, are celebrated for their vibrant depiction of Bulgarian heritage and can be found in several national galleries.

Another noteworthy individual is Emilia Zlateva, a pioneering female sculptor born in 1948. Her work in the latter half of the 20th century introduced modernist elements to Bulgarian sculpture, where she was instrumental in blending traditional Bulgarian styles with contemporary art forms.

The surname Zlatev encapsulates a rich legacy that extends through various facets of Bulgarian history. From its roots as a possible designation of wealth or prosperity to its presence in trade records and cultural contributions, Zlatev remains an enduring surname that highlights the vibrant tapestry of Bulgaria's past.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Zlatev

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

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

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

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