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

Zolna, 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 Zolna surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Zolna in America

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

The Zolna 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 Zolna.

We can also compare 2010 data for Zolna 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 Zolna

The surname Zolna has its origins in Hungary, with its earliest appearances dating back to the medieval period. Derived from the Hungarian word "szőlő," meaning "vineyard" or "grape," the name Zolna likely indicated a family's connection to viticulture or grape cultivation. This agricultural link suggests that early bearers of the surname may have been grape growers or wine producers, a significant profession in Hungary, especially around regions known for their wine production.

Records from the 13th and 14th centuries mention the name in various legal and property documents. One of the earliest documented instances of the surname appears in a 1312 record in the region of Szabolcs, where István Zolna was listed as a vineyard owner. This supports the theory that the name derives from agricultural roots. The spelling has remained relatively consistent, although variations such as Zólna and Szólna have been seen in historical texts, reflecting regional dialects and phonetic spelling conventions of the time.

One notable individual with the surname Zolna was György Zolna (1410-1483), a distinguished figure in the Kingdom of Hungary. György served as a knight under King Matthias Corvinus and took part in various military campaigns against the Ottomans. His contributions earned him a place in the annals of Hungarian history, with his name appearing in royal decrees and chronicles.

Another significant figure was Erzsébet Zolna (1644-1703), a landowning noblewoman from the region of Transdanubia. Her family's extensive vineyards were well-documented in regional aristocratic records, which describe her as a prominent patron of local churches and convents, reflecting the intertwined nature of noble status and landownership during that period.

The surname also surfaces in the 18th century with János Zolna (1721-1789), a noted scholar and cleric. His works in philosophy and theology were widely respected, and he held a professorship at the University of Nagyszombat. His published works and correspondences provide valuable insights into the intellectual and religious discourse of the time.

By the 19th century, the name appears in urban settings as well. Mihály Zolna (1845-1912), an influential banker and philanthropist in Budapest, played a crucial role in the development of financial institutions and supported various cultural and educational initiatives. His contributions helped shape the economic landscape of the city during Hungary's rapid modernization period.

Finally, the literary world remembers Lajos Zolna (1887-1954), a poet and author whose works explored themes of Hungarian identity and social change. His poetry remains influential, reflecting the cultural transitions of Hungary throughout the early 20th century.

The surname Zolna, with its rich historical connections to both agriculture and nobility, provides a fascinating glimpse into the social and economic fabric of Hungary over several centuries. The endurance of the name and its bearers' contributions to various aspects of Hungarian society underscore its lasting legacy.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Zolna

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

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

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

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