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

Zola, 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 Zola surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Zola in America

Zola is the 25403rd most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Zola surname appeared 974 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 Zola.

We can also compare 2010 data for Zola 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 Zola

The surname Zola originates from Italy, dating back to the medieval period. It is widely associated with the northern regions of Italy, particularly in Lombardy. The name is believed to derive from the Italian word "zolla", which means a clod of earth, suggesting roots in agrarian culture or landowning families. This connection implies that the bearers of the surname were possibly involved in tilling the land or were of rural gentry.

The Zola surname has various spellings in ancient records, such as Zolla and Zolla, which are found in historical manuscripts dating back to the 13th century. One of the earliest references is noted in the archives of the Lombardy region, where the name appears in land deeds and contracts. The variations in spelling hint at the regional dialects and the evolution of the Italian language over time.

Among the notable figures with the surname Zola, Emile Zola (1840-1902) stands prominent. Although he was a renowned French novelist and critic, his surname indicates possible Italian roots. Emile Zola's literature had a profound impact on the naturalism movement in the 19th century. Another historical figure is Giuseppe Zola (1672-1743), an Italian Baroque painter known for his religious and mythological works.

Records from the 16th century also mention Francesco Zola, an engineer who contributed to significant civil and military engineering projects in Italy. His efforts in fortification design are documented in various Renaissance treatises. Giovanni Zola, a soldier from the early 15th century, is noted in historical military accounts for his role in the Italian Wars, where his strategic prowess earned him a place in several chronicles of the period.

Gianfranco Zola, born in 1966, though from the modern era, carries the legacy of the name in the realm of sports. His successful career as a football player and later as a coach brought international recognition, particularly in the English Premier League.

Historical texts and parish records from the 14th and 15th centuries in Lombardy list the surname Zola among the prominent families engaged in local governance and trade, signifying their influence and status within the region. Variants like Zolla appear in medieval tax registers, often indicating landholders or prosperous farmers.

The Zola surname, through its ancient roots and historical journey across Italy, demonstrates a rich tapestry of cultural and professional associations, from agriculture and engineering to literature and the arts. This diverse background underscores the enduring legacy of the name through centuries of Italian history.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Zola

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

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

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

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