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

Zrelak, 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 Zrelak surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Zrelak in America

Zrelak is the 129047th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Zrelak surname appeared 132 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 Zrelak.

We can also compare 2010 data for Zrelak 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 Zrelak

The surname Zrelak has its origins in Central Europe, particularly in regions that are now part of Slovakia and the Czech Republic. Understanding the etymology of Zrelak requires delving into the Slavic linguistic roots prevalent in these areas. The name likely dates back to the early medieval period, around 10th to 15th centuries, when surnames began to be more systematically recorded in Slavic cultures.

The root of Zrelak appears to be the Slavic word "zrel," meaning "ripe" or "mature." This etymology suggests that the name could have originally referred to someone who was mature or perhaps a wise elder in the community. Another possibility is that it might have been a nickname for someone who worked with ripe fruits or crops, hinting at agricultural connections. Variations in spelling such as Zrelák, with a diacritical mark, can be found in older records, implying that the name underwent several orthographic changes over time.

Historical references to the surname Zrelak are sparse but can be found in old church registers and land deeds. One of the earliest recorded instances is from a 16th-century manuscript from the region of Moravia, part of the Kingdom of Bohemia. This manuscript mentions a Mikulas Zrelák, a landowner, indicating that the name was established among the landed gentry or the free peasantry.

Another prominent individual with the surname was Jan Zrelak, a merchant in the late 17th century in what is now Bratislava, Slovakia. His contribution to local trade and frequent mentions in municipal records of the time help provide a clearer picture of the socioeconomic status of people bearing this surname.

In the late 18th century, Ondrej Zrelak, a noted scholar and cleric in what was then the Austrian Empire, contributed to theological writings and is documented in ecclesiastical archives. Ondrej Zrelak's adoption of the name demonstrates that it was also present in intellectual and clerical circles.

The 19th-century agrarian landscape of Slovakia featured another notable figure, Martin Zrelak. A farmer and community leader, Martin's involvement in local politics and social reforms is recorded in various public records and personal letters from that period. His leadership during regional uprisings in the 1840s is particularly well documented.

Lastly, the 20th century saw the emergence of Jozef Zrelak, born in 1921, who became a noted figure in Slovak resistance during World War II. His involvement in the Slovak National Uprising of 1944 is detailed in numerous historical accounts, highlighting the bravery and leadership associated with the Zrelak name.

The surname Zrelak thus carries a rich history, reflected through its agricultural, scholarly, and leadership implications over several centuries. The evolution of the name and its bearers showcases a significant footprint in the socio-cultural landscape of Central Europe.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Zrelak

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

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

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

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