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

Zody, 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 Zody surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Zody in America

Zody is the 51176th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Zody surname appeared 407 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 Zody.

We can also compare 2010 data for Zody 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 Zody

The surname Zody has origins that are believed to be found within Eastern Europe, particularly in areas that now comprise modern-day Hungary and Slovakia. Emerging around the 14th to 15th century, the name is among several surnames that evolved during this period due to growing population and societal changes, necessitating the use of surnames for clearer identification.

The name Zody likely traces its etymology to Hungarian "Zodi," which itself is derived from older regional dialects. In Hungarian, the term is associated with familial lineages or descriptors, a common source for surnames at that time. Variants of the spelling such as Zodi and Zodé have been found in historical texts, though Zody became the most common form over subsequent centuries.

Historical references to the surname Zody can be found in local records and manuscripts. Notably, a 16th-century Hungarian census document lists a Miklós Zody as a landowner in the region of Pest, which suggests that the family held a certain social status.

The earliest recorded example of the name Zody dates back to 1453, appearing in mercantile records involving a István Zody, a trader who conducted business between Buda and Vienna. These early instances show that the bearers of the name were commonly involved in trade, agriculture, and land ownership.

Various historical documents highlight figures bearing the Zody surname. One notable individual is János Zody (1582-1643), who served as a local magistrate in the town of Eger during the early 17th century. His legal records and correspondences provide insight into the law and governance of the period.

Another prominent bearer of the surname was Péter Zody (1691-1748), a notable member of the clergy who played a significant role in the Counter-Reformation efforts in Hungary. His sermons and writings were influential in the religious communities of the time.

In the 18th century, a prominent military figure named Márton Zody (1745-1802) emerged. He was an officer in the Habsburg army and participated in several key battles during the Napoleonic Wars. His service records provide a detailed account of his career and the military strategies employed during that period.

Elisabeth Zody (1820-1886), a renowned opera singer, brought fame to the name in the 19th century. Performing in various European capitals, she was celebrated for her powerful voice and stage presence, leaving behind numerous accolades and a strong cultural legacy.

Throughout history, the surname Zody has been associated with individuals who contributed significantly to their respective fields, and its origins and transformations reveal much about the cultural and societal shifts in Hungary and surrounding regions over the centuries.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Zody

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

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

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

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