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

Zlotnick, 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 Zlotnick surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Zlotnick in America

Zlotnick is the 55741st most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Zlotnick surname appeared 368 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 Zlotnick.

We can also compare 2010 data for Zlotnick 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 Zlotnick

The surname Zlotnick has its origins in Eastern Europe, particularly among Ashkenazi Jewish communities. The name derives from the Polish word "złoty," which means "gold," combined with a Slavic diminutive suffix "-nik," which often denotes a person involved in a particular trade or occupation. Therefore, Zlotnick translates roughly to "goldsmith" or "one who works with gold."

The surname likely emerged during the period when surnames were becoming hereditary in the Jewish communities of Poland and the surrounding areas. This timeframe generally spans from the 17th to the 19th centuries, a period when families adopted surnames that often described their occupations, physical traits, or locations.

Historical records from the region note the prevalence of professions linked to precious metals among Jewish populations, especially given the restrictions on other forms of economic activity. While a definitive first appearance of the surname Zlotnick in historical documents is elusive, its origins can be traced back to the era of the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth, which lasted from 1569 to 1795.

One notable individual with the surname Zlotnick was Samuel Zlotnick, a prominent figure in the 18th century, known for his work as a goldsmith in Warsaw. The surname is also mentioned in marriage and birth records from the region, reflecting its association with artisanal professions.

By the 19th century, the name had spread to other parts of the world due to migration, particularly to the United States, where many Eastern European Jews sought better economic opportunities and escaped persecution. A prominent example is Jacob Zlotnick, who immigrated in the late 1800s and became known in New York for his craftsmanship in jewelry making.

In the field of academics, Dr. J. Zlotnick is a renowned figure from the late 19th to early 20th century, contributing significantly to the study of Eastern European Jewish culture and history. He was born in 1868 and passed away in 1935, marking his influence in both the academic and cultural spheres.

Furthermore, the name appeared in various historical legal documents, such as property records and official registers, often indicating ownership of land or business dealings involving precious metals. This supports the etymological roots of the name relating to goldsmithing or involvement in trade of valuable commodities.

A more contemporary but still historical figure is David Zlotnick, born in 1925, who later became a notable composer and violinist in the mid-20th century, contributing to the American classical music scene. His works highlighted the synthesis of European traditions and American innovation.

Lastly, it is essential to note the spelling variations of the surname as it adapted to different alphabets and phonetic systems. Variations include Slotnick, Zlotnik, and Zlote, each reflecting slightly different regional pronunciations while retaining the core meaning related to gold.

Overall, the surname Zlotnick holds a rich historical connotation tied to the legacy of craftsmanship and the resilience of the Jewish communities from which it originated.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Zlotnick

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

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

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

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