Zoltan last name popularity, history, and meaning

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

Meaning of Zoltan

A surname with Hungarian origins meaning "Sultan" or "Prince."

Zoltan, 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 Zoltan surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Zoltan in America

Zoltan is the 109258th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Zoltan surname appeared 162 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 Zoltan.

We can also compare 2010 data for Zoltan 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 109258 131366 -18.38%
Count 162 119 30.60%
Proportion per 100k 0.05 0.04 22.22%

The history of the last name Zoltan

The surname Zoltan finds its origins primarily in Hungary, with historical roots that can be traced back to the early medieval period. In Hungarian, Zoltan is an old and revered name, likely originating from the Turkish word "sultan," which means ruler or king. This indicates that families bearing this surname may have had noble or leadership roles within their communities during ancient times.

Originating from the Carpathian Basin, which encompasses modern-day Hungary and surrounding regions, the surname Zoltan was first documented in records that date back several centuries. One of the earliest recorded instances of the surname appears in feudal Hungary, reflecting the noble status of some individuals with this last name. These records were often maintained by religious institutions or local authorities, providing insights into the social structure and lineage of Hungarian families during that era.

An early historical reference to the surname Zoltan can be found in various Hungarian manuscripts from the 13th and 14th centuries. These documents often listed the names of landowners, knights, and other prominent figures within the kingdom. The inclusion of the Zoltan surname in such documents suggests that individuals with this name held significant positions in society.

One of the earliest recorded examples of this surname is László Zoltan, a nobleman born in 1220 who served under King Béla IV of Hungary. His name appears in several historical texts, indicating his contributions to the royal court and his involvement in various military campaigns. Another prominent figure is Gábor Zoltan, born in 1365, who was known for his role as a diplomat and advisor to the Hungarian crown. His diplomatic efforts led to various alliances and treaties that shaped the political landscape of the region.

In the 15th century, Miklós Zoltan, born in 1422 and died in 1489, was a notable scholar and historian who contributed significantly to Hungarian literature. His works, including historical accounts and translations, are still studied by historians today. Another influential personality was Erzsébet Zoltan, born in 1501, who played a pivotal role in the cultural and educational advancements of her time. She established several schools and patronized the arts, leaving a lasting impact on Hungarian society.

Ádám Zoltan, born in 1730, was a military leader who participated in the War of Austrian Succession and served under Maria Theresa of Austria. His strategic acumen and leadership skills earned him recognition and respect within the military community. His legacy includes several military reforms that were adopted by future generations.

Throughout history, individuals with the surname Zoltan have made significant contributions to various fields, including military, diplomacy, scholarship, and cultural development. The name has persisted through the ages, maintaining its historical and cultural significance within Hungarian society. These historical references and notable figures illustrate the rich heritage and enduring legacy of the Zoltan surname.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Zoltan

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

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 Zoltan was:

Race/Ethnicity Percentage Total Occurrences
Non-Hispanic White Only 90.74% 147
Non-Hispanic Black Only (S)% (S)
Non-Hispanic Asian and Pacific Islander Only 3.09% 5
Non-Hispanic American Indian and Alaskan Native 0.00% 0
Non-Hispanic of Two or More Races 4.32% 7
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 Zoltan has changed in the 10 years between the two census surveys.

2010 2000 Change (%)
White 90.74% 91.60% -0.94%
Black (S)% (S)% (S)%
Asian and Pacific Islander 3.09% 0.00% 200.00%
American Indian and Alaskan Native 0.00% 0.00% 0.00%
Two or More Races 4.32% 5.04% -15.38%
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 Zoltan was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

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

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"Zoltan last name popularity, history, and meaning". NameCensus.com. Accessed on April 25, 2025. http://namecensus.com/last-names/zoltan-surname-popularity/.

"Zoltan last name popularity, history, and meaning". NameCensus.com, http://namecensus.com/last-names/zoltan-surname-popularity/. Accessed 25 April, 2025

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

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