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

Zur, 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 Zur surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Zur in America

Zur is the 59603rd most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Zur surname appeared 339 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 Zur.

We can also compare 2010 data for Zur 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 Zur

The surname Zur has roots in multiple regions, but it is most prominently associated with Jewish Ashkenazi origins. The name is believed to have originated in the medieval period, around the 12th or 13th century, in the regions of Central and Eastern Europe. One of the primary areas where the surname was prevalent is Poland, which was home to a significant Jewish population during the Middle Ages.

Zur is derived from the Hebrew word "צור" (Tzur), which means "rock" or "cliff". This word has strong symbolic meanings in Jewish culture, often representing strength and stability. The surname might have been adopted by families who were known for their fortitude or were situated near rocky landscapes.

Historical references to the surname can be traced back to various Jewish communities in the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth. One notable reference is found in old Jewish manuscripts where the name Zur appeared as a prominent family name among rabbis and scholars. For example, Rabbi Shmuel ben Yitzhak Zur, a figure from the late 16th century, was known for his scholarly contributions to Jewish religious texts.

The earliest recorded examples of the surname in official documents date back to the late 15th century in Kraków. An example is Josel Zur, who was a renowned merchant in the city during this time. As names became more stabilized and recorded, variations in spelling such as Tzur and Zyr also appeared in various regions.

Several place names in Europe are linked to the surname, reflecting the geographical spread of the family name. The town of Zury in Switzerland, though not directly connected by etymology, bears a semblance to the name and saw migratory patterns of Jewish families bearing the surname Zur. Additionally, there are records from the 17th century of the Zur family in the historical region of Galicia, which is now split between Poland and Ukraine.

Noteworthy individuals with the surname include Saul Zur, a 17th-century rabbi from Prague who wrote on Talmudic studies. Another significant figure is Leah Zur, a philanthropist and community leader in Warsaw during the 18th century, known for her contributions to Jewish society and education.

Furthermore, Isaac Zur, a merchant from the city of Lviv in the early 18th century, played a notable role in trade within the Austro-Hungarian Empire. His business dealings are documented in several mercantile records of the time.

Lastly, in the late 19th century, Rabbi Mordechai Zur from Vilnius became a prominent religious leader and authored several well-regarded theological essays. His influence extended across the Jewish communities in Lithuania and further solidified the surname's historical significance.

Through these records and references, it is evident that the surname Zur has a rich history intertwined with Jewish culture and the regions of Central and Eastern Europe. Its evolution over time showcases the resilience and influence of the families who bore this name.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Zur

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

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

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

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