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

Zoleta, 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 Zoleta surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Zoleta in America

Zoleta is the 92358th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Zoleta surname appeared 199 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 Zoleta.

We can also compare 2010 data for Zoleta 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 Zoleta

The surname Zoleta is believed to have originated from the Philippines, a nation with a rich and diverse cultural history influenced by various ethnic groups, including Malay, Chinese, Spanish, and American. The roots of the name Zoleta likely date back to the colonial period when the Spanish governed the Philippines from the 16th to the 19th centuries. Given the Spanish linguistic influence during this period, it's possible that the name Zoleta has Spanish origins or was adapted into a Philippine context during the colonial era.

The name Zoleta may derive from a Spanish word or be a Hispanicized version of an indigenous name. While the exact etymology is unclear, it could be related to similar Spanish words or surnames that suggest characteristics describing a person or a location. The surname is relatively rare, and due to limited documentation from the earlier periods of Philippine history, early records of the name are sparse.

One of the earliest references to the surname Zoleta appears in church records from the 18th century. A prominent figure named José Zoleta, born in 1750, was recorded as a landowner in the province of Laguna, a region located in the southern part of Luzon Island, known for its agricultural prosperity during the Spanish colonial period.

In the 19th century, another significant individual bearing the surname was Maria Zoleta, who was born in 1823 and became known for her involvement in local education in the province of Batangas. Maria Zoleta pioneered efforts to establish primary schools for girls, an important step in promoting literacy and education among women during that time.

Moving forward to the 20th century, the historical influence of the surname continued through figures such as Emilio Zoleta, born in 1895, who played an active role in the Philippine Revolution against Spanish rule and later in the Philippine-American War. Emilio became known for his leadership within revolutionary circles in the province of Cavite.

In the mid-20th century, Gregorio Zoleta, born in 1920, gained recognition as a local politician and community leader in Quezon province. His contributions to public service and community development left a lasting legacy in the region. His efforts in improving local infrastructure and education contributed positively to the post-World War II rebuilding process in the Philippines.

Another notable individual is Leticia Zoleta, born in 1954, an academic and historian who has written extensively on Philippine history and colonial influences. Her scholarly work has been instrumental in shedding light on the nuanced historical narratives of the country.

The surname Zoleta, while not widely spread, has a rich history tied to notable figures who contributed significantly to Philippine society from the 18th century to the 20th century. This name serves as a testimony to the cultural and historical tapestry of the Philippines, reflecting the diverse influences and the enduring legacy of its bearers.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Zoleta

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

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

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

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