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

Zunie, 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 Zunie surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Zunie in America

Zunie is the 141140th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Zunie surname appeared 118 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 Zunie.

We can also compare 2010 data for Zunie 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 Zunie

The surname Zunie is believed to have its origins in Spain during the late medieval period, roughly around the 13th to 15th centuries. The name is likely derived from the region or a similar sounding place within Spain. It is thought to have originated from the Basque language, which has a rich history of unique and region-specific surnames. The surname Zunie is tangentially linked to the place name Azunia, an older Basque habitation in the region now known as modern-day Basque Country or nearby regions.

Historical references to the name Zunie are sparse and not extensively documented in ancient manuscripts or widely recognized historical records such as the Domesday Book. However, references in local parish records, land deeds, and regional chronicles from the Basque region include early mentions. The lack of widespread documentation might be due to the localized nature of Basque surnames, which often remained within smaller communities and were not recorded in broader national record-keeping practices until much later.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the surname Zunie can be traced to a minor nobleman named Pedro Zunie in 1453 who was noted in a regional directory of the Kingdom of Navarre. He is noted for having owned a modest estate on the outskirts of what is now Pamplona. Records present Pedro Zunie as a small but influential landowner whose descendants played minor roles in local governance.

By the early 16th century, another individual with the surname emerged, Elena Zunie, who was born in 1517 and lived in the province of Gipuzkoa. She was a renowned healer and midwife whose skills were noted in local communal records. Elena's reputation earned her a modest but influential status in her village, her name being noted in community medicinal guides of the time.

In the 17th century, Juan Zunie, born in 1625, is documented as having served in the military campaigns during the Thirty Years' War. He was recorded in muster rolls from 1644, where he was documented as having served as a foot soldier in a regiment raised from the Basque region. Juan Zunie returned from the war and later settled in Bilbo (modern-day Bilbao), contributing to local municipal records as a tradesman.

By the 18th century, another notable Zunie appeared in the records. Maria Zunie, born in 1762, became a prominent figure in local Basque literature. She authored several poems and short stories that gave insights into the life and culture of Basque communities. Maria's works were preserved in regional archives and are still referenced by historians studying the cultural history of the Basque region.

In the early 19th century, Manuel Zunie, who was born in 1801, is recorded as having participated in the Spanish War of Independence against Napoleonic forces. He played a role as a local militia leader and his efforts were documented in military dispatches and local histories from the period. Manuel Zunie’s leadership in guerilla tactics contributed significantly to the resistance efforts in the Basque regions.

These historical records of individuals bearing the surname Zunie highlight its deep connection to the Basque region and its enduring, though infrequently documented, presence in the historical tapestry of Spain.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Zunie

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

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

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

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