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

Zunic, 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 Zunic surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Zunic in America

Zunic is the 80419th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Zunic surname appeared 236 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 Zunic.

We can also compare 2010 data for Zunic 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 Zunic

The surname Zunic has its origins in the Balkan region, specifically from the area that encompasses modern-day Croatia and Bosnia and Herzegovina. The earliest records suggest that the name emerged during the late Middle Ages, around the 14th to 15th centuries. The name is likely derived from the root word "žun," which in the local dialect refers to a type of pheasant, a bird that was perhaps significant to the family or region from which they hailed. Additionally, the suffix "ic" is a common Croatian and Serbian patronymic ending, indicating "son of" or "descendant of."

Historical references to the surname Zunic can be found in various regional manuscripts and church records. One of the earliest mentions is in a 15th-century registry of the Church of St. Blaise in Dubrovnik, where a family bearing the name is documented as residents and landowners. This indicates that the Zunic family was well-established and held significant local influence.

The earliest recorded example of the name Zunic in civil records dates back to 1442, found in the city archives of Split, Croatia. In this record, a man named Marin Zunic is listed as a merchant who traded extensively along the Adriatic coast. This suggests that the Zunic family was involved in commerce and possibly shipbuilding, given the maritime activities common in the region at that time.

A notable historical figure with the surname Zunic is Ivan Zunic, a Croatian soldier who fought in the Battle of Mohács in 1526, a pivotal conflict between the Kingdom of Hungary and the Ottoman Empire. His bravery was documented in various military archives and songs from the period.

The surname has also been documented in various spellings over the centuries, including Zunić, Zunich, and Zhunik, reflecting the region's diverse linguistic influences. In the 17th century, records from the Republic of Ragusa (modern-day Dubrovnik) mention a wealthy landowner named Andrija Zunic, who contributed to the construction of public structures, including a notable bridge that still stands today.

Moving into the 18th century, one particularly influential individual was Stjepan Zunic, born in 1701, who became a well-respected judge in Zagreb. His legal writings and decisions are still referenced in historical legal studies. Stjepan's contributions to the legal framework were instrumental in shaping the judicial system in the region.

Another notable figure is Petar Zunic, an artist born in 1823, renowned for his landscape paintings that vividly capture the Dalmatian Coast’s beauty. His works are displayed in several Croatian museums and have been the subject of art historical research, shedding light on the cultural heritage of the area.

In the 19th century, Dragan Zunic, born in 1878, became a prominent intellectual and writer. His treatises on Slavic folklore and mythology are considered foundational texts in the study of South Slavic cultural history. His writings have been published in multiple languages and are still used extensively in academic circles.

Through these records and notable individuals, the surname Zunic demonstrates a rich history intertwined with the cultural and social developments in the Balkans. The legacy of the Zunic name continues to be marked by contributions in military, legal, artistic, and intellectual fields, reflective of the diverse talents and endeavors of its bearers.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Zunic

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

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

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

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