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

Zupan, 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 Zupan surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Zupan in America

Zupan is the 21842nd most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Zupan surname appeared 1,190 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 Zupan.

We can also compare 2010 data for Zupan 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 Zupan

The surname Zupan is primarily of Slovenian and Croatian origin, with roots extending back to the medieval period. It derives from the Slavic word župan, which means "community leader" or "chief," typically denoting the head of a župa or a group of villages. This historical context places the surname's origins in the feudal structures of medieval Slovenia and Croatia, where a župan was an official charged with local governance.

The oldest references to the surname Zupan can be traced back to medieval manuscripts and records. For instance, in the 14th century, records from the region known today as Slovenia mention a Zupan as a village leader. Similar instances are noted in Croatian records, where the title signified a person of significant local authority. These early mentions underscore the surname’s prestigious connotations, associated with leadership and control.

One of the earliest recorded examples of the Zupan surname occurs in 1357, in the records of Carniola, a historical region that included parts of modern-day Slovenia. During this period, it was common to reference local leaders by their titles, which gradually evolved into hereditary surnames. This evolution is indicative of the societal structure and the importance of local governance in medieval Slavic regions.

Famous individuals bearing the surname Zupan appear throughout history, demonstrating the name's persistence and significance. Juraj Zupan, born in 1822 and died in 1887, was a noted Croatian politician who played an influential role in local governance. His contributions to the political landscape of Croatia during the 19th century are well-documented, highlighting the historical continuity of the surname's association with leadership.

Another notable figure is Jože Zupan, a Slovenian composer born in 1835 and active in the latter half of the 19th century. His works contributed significantly to the Slovenian musical tradition, and his name is well-remembered among cultural histories of the region. His prominence in the arts marks a diversification of the fields in which bearers of the surname have excelled.

In the 20th century, Drago Zupan, born in 1926 and died in 2001, was recognized for his work in the field of medicine in Slovenia. As a prominent physician and researcher, his contributions to healthcare improved the lives of many, further highlighting the surname's association with prominence and leadership within various professional realms.

Another influential figure is Franz Zupan, a Slovenian politician born in 1938, who played an essential role in the political developments in Slovenia during the late 20th century. His involvement in governmental affairs during a transformative period in Slovenian history marks another significant bearer of the surname.

Lastly, Matej Zupan, born in 1963, is a well-respected Slovenian flutist and educator. His contributions to music and education through performances and teaching have left a lasting impact on the cultural fabric of Slovenia.

The surname Zupan thus carries a rich history of leadership and influence in Slovenian and Croatian contexts, evolving from a medieval title into a surname carried by notable figures across different centuries and professions.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Zupan

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

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

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

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