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

Zunich, 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 Zunich surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Zunich in America

Zunich is the 63524th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Zunich surname appeared 314 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 Zunich.

We can also compare 2010 data for Zunich 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 Zunich

The surname Zunich is believed to originate from the region of former Yugoslavia, specifically Croatia or Slovenia. The earliest records of surnames in these areas date back to the medieval period, around the 12th or 13th centuries. The naming conventions in this region have often been influenced by the Slavic linguistic traditions, with many surnames derived from nicknames, physical characteristics, occupations, or geographical locations.

The surname Zunich could be derived from the Croatian or Slovenian word "žun," which means "perch" (a type of fish). Thus, it is possible that the name originally referred to someone associated with fishing or living near a body of water where perch were found. Variations in spelling can include Zunic or Žunić, reflecting different transliterations over centuries and across regions.

Historical references to the surname Zunich are sparse but can be found in ecclesiastical records, military documents, and local registries from the Balkans. One notable reference is a mention in a 16th-century Croatian church registry, where a Matija Zunich was recorded as a farmer in the region of Istria.

In the 18th century, in the context of the Habsburg Monarchy, a vicar named Luka Zunich was noted in records from the Kvarner Gulf, overseeing a parish and contributing to community affairs. His documented activities include the administration of sacraments and local governance.

During the Napoleonic Wars, a Milovan Zunich enlisted in the Austro-Hungarian army. Serving as an infantryman, Milovan fought in numerous skirmishes across Central Europe, earning recognition and a commendation for bravery in the early 19th century.

In the realm of culture, Ivan Zunich, a 19th-century poet from Dalmatia, became known for his contributions to Croatian literature. His poetic works often depicted rural life and cultural heritage, gaining popularity regionally and laying the groundwork for future literary movements.

At the turn of the 20th century, the name Zunich appeared in immigration records, with families migrating to North America in search of better economic opportunities. Among them was Peter Zunich, born in 1885, who arrived in the United States in 1903 and established himself as a successful businessman in the Midwest, particularly in the community of steelworkers.

Throughout history, individuals with the surname Zunich have participated in shaping their communities, maintaining cultural traditions, and contributing to various facets of society. Despite the relatively limited occurrences in historical documents, the surname Zunich carries a rich heritage reflective of the diverse and storied past of the Slavic regions from which it originates.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Zunich

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

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

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

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