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

Zuleta, 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 Zuleta surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Zuleta in America

Zuleta is the 27756th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Zuleta surname appeared 866 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 Zuleta.

We can also compare 2010 data for Zuleta 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 Zuleta

The surname Zuleta is of Basque origin, originating from the region known as the Basque Country, which spans areas of northern Spain and southwestern France. The name dates back to at least the medieval period, a time when surnames began to stabilize and were frequently tied to geographical locations. The Basque language itself is ancient and unique, not related to the Indo-European language family, which adds an additional layer of mystery to the name's etymology.

Zuleta likely derives from ancient Basque words. Diminutive and locative suffixes in Basque, such as "eta," suggest that the name could be linked to a specific place, often denoting land ownership or origin. The root word "zul" could be related to "zulo," meaning "hole" or "cave" in Basque, and combined with "eta," it may refer to a place characterized by a specific geographical feature, possibly "place of caves."

Historical references to the name include manuscripts from the Kingdom of Navarre, an area known for its Basque cultural heritage. Early records from the 14th and 15th centuries mention the Zuleta family as being involved in local governance and military actions, indicating a status of some prominence. For example, the name appeared in land grants and tax records of the time, establishing it as a stable surname linked to notable families.

The earliest recorded example of the surname is found in the 13th century, referencing a noble family from Navarre. Place names such as Zulueta or Zoleta appear in historical documents and are considered variant spellings that retained the phonetic essence of the name Zuleta.

Throughout history, several notable individuals have carried the surname Zuleta. Juan de Zuleta (1480-1545), was a significant figure in the court of King Ferdinand II of Aragon, contributing to diplomatic missions. Another prominent person was Martín de Zuleta (1590-1640), notable for his military service in the Spanish Army during the Eighty Years' War.

In the 17th century, Gaspar de Zuleta (1620-1690) emerged as a renowned scholar and theologian, contributing extensively to religious literature in Spain. By the 19th century, we see figures such as Tomás Zuleta (1820-1895), a prominent political leader in Colombia who played a significant role in the country's development during its post-colonial period.

In more recent history, Gabriel García Márquez, the famous Colombian novelist, often referenced the Zuleta name in his works, lending it a cultural significance that transcends mere genealogy. His works helped immortalize the Zuleta family in the realm of Latin American literature.

The surname Zuleta, with its rich Basque origins and historical antecedents, has been borne by individuals who participated in shaping both local and broader historical narratives. While the name is less common today, its legacy remains embedded in the cultural and historical tapestries of the regions it once prominently featured.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Zuleta

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

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

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

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