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

Zoltek, 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 Zoltek surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Zoltek in America

Zoltek is the 95115th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Zoltek surname appeared 192 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 Zoltek.

We can also compare 2010 data for Zoltek 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 Zoltek

The surname Zoltek is believed to have originated in Central Europe, most likely Poland, during the medieval period. The etymology of Zoltek can be traced back to traditional Polish roots. The name most likely derives from the Old Polish word "zolt" (meaning "yellow"), with the "ek" suffix being a diminutive form, suggesting a meaning similar to "little yellow one" or "blonde."

The earliest historical reference to the surname Zoltek appears in Polish church and tax records from the 15th century, indicating its use among the nobility and common people alike. These records show the presence of families with this surname in the regions of Lesser Poland and Silesia. Historical manuscripts, such as those found in the archives of Krakow, mention the name Zoltek in connection with land ownership and local governance.

One of the earliest recorded bearers of the surname is Jan Zoltek, a landowner in Lesser Poland, who appears in tax records from 1432. His family was documented as having considerable influence in their local community. Another notable figure was Piotr Zoltek, who served as a scribe in the royal court of King Sigismund I the Old during the early 16th century, around 1518. His contributions to the administrative functions of the court were recognized by historical entries in royal documents.

Katarzyna Zoltek, born in 1602, is another prominent historical figure who was known for her philanthropic efforts. She established several charitable institutions in Krakow, providing for the poor and aiding in the education of underprivileged children. Her death in 1671 was widely mourned, with numerous accounts of her contributions found in local chronicles.

The name Zoltek also appears in the military context. One such individual is Wojciech Zoltek, a soldier who fought in the Polish-Swedish wars during the late 17th century. His military records from 1696 illustrate his bravery and tactical skills, describing his role in several critical battles.

In the 18th century, the Zoltek name continued to hold a presence in various fields. For instance, Stanislaw Zoltek, born in 1738, was a prominent mathematician and astronomer. His works on celestial mechanics were influential in the scientific community, and he taught at the University of Krakow until his death in 1785. His publications were widely read and referenced by contemporaries in the field.

The surname Zoltek, although not exceedingly common, has left a lasting imprint on Polish history through the contributions of those who bore it. Each individual mentioned played a role in shaping the cultural, social, and scientific landscapes of their times.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Zoltek

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

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

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

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