Zmolek last name popularity, history, and meaning

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

Meaning of Zmolek

A surname of Polish origin, potentially derived from the word "zmulić" meaning "to crumble" or "to grind."

Zmolek, 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 Zmolek surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Zmolek in America

Zmolek is the 72105th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Zmolek surname appeared 270 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 Zmolek.

We can also compare 2010 data for Zmolek 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.

2010 2000 Change (%)
Rank 72105 71808 0.41%
Count 270 253 6.50%
Proportion per 100k 0.09 0.09 0.00%

The history of the last name Zmolek

The surname Zmolek is of Eastern European origin, specifically from the regions that constitute present-day Czech Republic and Slovakia. The earliest instances of the name can be traced back to the medieval period, around the 13th to 14th centuries. The name is believed to be derived from the Slavic word "zmol," which refers to pitch or tar, suggesting that the original bearers of the name might have been involved in professions related to tar production or trade.

Historical references to the surname Zmolek appear in various medieval manuscripts and records. One of the earliest documented instances can be found in a 1397 property registry from the region of Bohemia, indicating the name's establishment in that area. Variations and alternative spellings of Zmolek, such as Zmolik, are observed in older documents, reflecting the fluid nature of medieval orthography.

One prominent historical figure bearing the surname is Jan Zmolek, a 15th-century merchant from Prague who was recorded in city council records for his significant contributions to the local economy. Jan Zmolek's trade dealings and civic engagements highlight the name's association with commerce and public affairs during that period.

Another notable individual is Karel Zmolek, a 17th-century scholar from Moravia who gained recognition for his works in natural philosophy. His writings, preserved in university archives, provide valuable insights into the scientific knowledge and intellectual pursuits of his time. Karel Zmolek's academic contributions further underscore the diverse professions and social standings of those carrying the surname.

In the 18th century, Josef Zmolek, a landowner in southern Bohemia, played a significant role in local agricultural developments. Records from 1765 show Josef Zmolek's involvement in the introduction of new farming techniques, which had a lasting impact on the region's agricultural productivity and prosperity.

Moving into the 19th century, Frantisek Zmolek emerged as a significant figure in the Czech National Revival, a cultural and political movement advocating for national identity and independence from the Austro-Hungarian Empire. Frantisek Zmolek's efforts in promoting Czech language and culture were pivotal in preserving and fostering national pride during a period of foreign domination.

The name Zmolek continued to appear in various public records, including military registers and emigration documents, indicating the mobility and spread of the family across different regions and even continents. Pavel Zmolek, born in 1821, is one such individual who left a mark through his service as an officer in the Austro-Hungarian army, his career chronicled in regimental histories of the era.

Throughout history, the surname Zmolek has been associated with a range of professions and societal contributions, from trade and scholarship to agriculture and national activism. The varied historical footprints of individuals bearing this surname reflect the rich and multifaceted legacy of the Zmolek name.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Zmolek

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

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 Zmolek was:

Race/Ethnicity Percentage Total Occurrences
Non-Hispanic White Only 99.26% 268
Non-Hispanic Black Only (S)% (S)
Non-Hispanic Asian and Pacific Islander Only 0.00% 0
Non-Hispanic American Indian and Alaskan Native 0.00% 0
Non-Hispanic of Two or More Races 0.00% 0
Hispanic Origin (S)% (S)

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 Zmolek has changed in the 10 years between the two census surveys.

2010 2000 Change (%)
White 99.26% 99.21% 0.05%
Black (S)% 0.00% (S)%
Asian and Pacific Islander 0.00% 0.00% 0.00%
American Indian and Alaskan Native 0.00% 0.00% 0.00%
Two or More Races 0.00% (S)% (S)%
Hispanic (S)% (S)% (S)%

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

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

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"Zmolek last name popularity, history, and meaning". NameCensus.com. Accessed on November 22, 2024. http://namecensus.com/last-names/zmolek-surname-popularity/.

"Zmolek last name popularity, history, and meaning". NameCensus.com, http://namecensus.com/last-names/zmolek-surname-popularity/. Accessed 22 November, 2024

Zmolek last name popularity, history, and meaning. NameCensus.com. Retrieved from http://namecensus.com/last-names/zmolek-surname-popularity/.

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