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

Zorko, 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 Zorko surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Zorko in America

Zorko is the 104602nd most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Zorko surname appeared 171 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 Zorko.

We can also compare 2010 data for Zorko 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 Zorko

The surname Zorko originates from the Slavic regions of Eastern Europe, particularly in modern-day Slovenia and parts of Croatia. The name is believed to have emerged during the medieval period, roughly around the 13th to 15th centuries. The Slavic roots of the surname are found in the word "zubrk," meaning "to growl" or "to bark," potentially referring to a strong or fierce person — characteristics highly valued in Slavic warrior cultures.

Early records of the surname Zorko appear in parish registers and land deeds dating back to the 16th century in the Duchy of Carniola, which is now part of Slovenia. These documents include references to a noble family named Zorko, who owned significant tracts of land and had several members holding minor titles. The surname appears with various spellings over centuries, including Zorco and Zorkow, indicative of phonetic transcription by scribes.

Historical manuscripts from the region document the presence of a Matej Zorko, a prominent landowner and local judge in the early 1600s. He played a crucial role in negotiating land agreements following the dissolution of feudal estates in Carniola. Another early notable figure was Ivan Zorko, who served as a bishop in the late 17th century and left a considerable impact on the ecclesiastical landscape of the time.

In the 18th century, Martin Zorko gained recognition as a master stonemason and sculptor, contributing significantly to the baroque architecture of Ljubljana, the current capital of Slovenia. His works include ornate altarpieces and public statues, many of which remain preserved in museums and churches today. Martin Zorko's artistry bridged the late baroque and rococo periods, marking an essential cultural development in the region.

By the 19th century, the surname Zorko had spread beyond Slovenia into neighboring countries due to migration and political changes in the Austro-Hungarian Empire. Records from this period include Franjo Zorko, born 1823, who became a preeminent figure in the nationalist movements of Croatia. He authored several treatises on Slavic unity and language, significantly influencing the cultural and political discourse of the era.

In more recent history, during the early 20th century, Aleksandar Zorko emerged as a key player in the intellectual scene of Ljubljana, born in 1889 and educated in Vienna. He published numerous essays on philosophy and sociology, deeply engaging with the ideological conflicts of his time. His works have been widely studied in academic circles for their insight into the socio-political context of the Austro-Hungarian transition period.

The surname Zorko thus encapsulates a rich tapestry of historical, cultural, and socio-political narratives across centuries, reflective of the dynamic regions it originates from. From judicial roles and ecclesiastical authority to artistic contributions and intellectual pursuits, individuals with the surname have left enduring legacies in various fields. The historical trajectory of the Zorko surname paints a vivid picture of the heritage and evolution of Eastern European nobility and commonality.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Zorko

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

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

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

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