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

Zubiri, 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 Zubiri surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Zubiri in America

Zubiri is the 118853rd most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Zubiri surname appeared 146 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 Zubiri.

We can also compare 2010 data for Zubiri 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 Zubiri

The surname Zubiri has its origins in the Basque Country, a region straddling parts of northern Spain and southwestern France. This surname is particularly associated with the Spanish part of the Basque Country, an area known for its unique language and cultural heritage. The name Zubiri is of Basque linguistic origin, derived from the Basque word "zubi," meaning "bridge," and the suffix "ri," denoting a place or locality, leading to a topographical meaning of "by the bridge" or "place of the bridge."

The historical roots of the surname can be traced back to medieval times when surnames were often derived from geographical features. In the case of Zubiri, it is likely that the name was initially used to denote families living near a bridge, a significant landmark in many rural Basque communities. The earliest appearance of the surname in written records can be found in medieval documents from the Basque Country, though specific early references are scarce due to the limited documentation from this period.

In historical manuscripts, alternative spellings such as Zubirri or Zubirí appear occasionally, reflecting the variations in spelling practices over centuries. One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Zubiri appears in local records from the 16th century. During this period, names were often recorded phonetically, leading to variations in spelling.

Several notable individuals have carried the surname Zubiri throughout history. One of the earliest notable figures is Pedro de Zubiri, a 17th-century Basque nobleman known for his roles in regional governance. Although information on his exact birth and death years remains scarce, his contributions to local administration are well documented in Basque historical archives.

Another prominent bearer of the surname is Father Antonio Zubiri, a priest and scholar from the 18th century, recognized for his theological works and contributions to Basque literature. He was born in 1725 and died in 1790. His writings are preserved in various ecclesiastical archives and illustrate the intellectual heritage of the Basque people during the Enlightenment period.

Going further into the 19th century, Miguel de Zubiri stands out as an influential figure. Born in 1821 and dying in 1883, he was a renowned agriculturalist and politician who advocated for the modernization of farming practices in the Basque Country. His efforts significantly impacted the region's agricultural productivity and economic development.

In the early 20th century, Isabel Zubiri, born in 1888, emerged as a prominent activist for women's rights in Spain. She played a crucial role in advancing the cause of women's suffrage and education in the Basque Country until her death in 1965. Her legacy continues to inspire contemporary movements in the region.

Lastly, the philosopher Xavier Zubiri, who was born in 1898 and died in 1983, is one of the most celebrated individuals with this surname. His extensive body of work in metaphysics and philosophy of science has earned him a place among the leading intellectuals of the 20th century. Educated in Europe and influenced by prominent philosophers of his time, his contributions remain influential in academic circles.

Thus, the surname Zubiri is deeply rooted in the Basque cultural and linguistic traditions, with historical references spanning several centuries. The bearers of this name have made significant contributions to various fields, reflecting the rich heritage and enduring legacy of the Basque people.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Zubiri

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

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

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

Reference this page

We spend a lot of resources downloading, cleaning, merging, and formatting the data that is shown on the site.

If you found the data or information on this page useful in your research, please use the tool below to properly cite or reference Name Census as the source. We appreciate your support!