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

Zura, 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 Zura surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Zura in America

Zura is the 69996th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Zura surname appeared 280 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 Zura.

We can also compare 2010 data for Zura 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 Zura

The surname Zura is believed to have originated from the regions of Eastern Europe, specifically from areas that are part of modern-day Georgia. The name appears to have Georgian roots, and it is derived from the Georgian word "ზურა", which is a diminutive form of the name Zurab. The name Zurab itself has Persian origins, derived from "Surab" meaning "red water" or "beautiful water".

Historical references to the surname Zura are sparse, but its usage in records can be traced back to the early medieval period. Georgian historical manuscripts from the 14th and 15th centuries mention families carrying the surname Zura, indicating its presence in the societal framework of that time. The name does not appear in prominent European documents like the Domesday Book, indicating its more localized usage within the Georgian and possibly surrounding cultures.

The earliest recorded example of the Zura surname in Georgian history can be found in a manuscript dating back to 1420, where a noble family identified by this surname participated in local governance. Another early record from 1475 mentions a land grant by King Alexander I of Georgia to a certain Luka Zura, indicating the Zura family's involvement in feudal aristocracy.

Throughout history, several notable individuals bearing the surname Zura have left their mark on various fields. In the late 16th century, a Georgian warrior named Giorgi Zura was mentioned in chronicles detailing battles against Persian and Ottoman invaders. His valor was celebrated in local folklore. In the literary world, the name surfaces again with Elene Zura, an 18th-century poet whose works were instrumental in the Georgian cultural renaissance.

During the 19th century, Petre Zura, a Georgian statesman and diplomat, played a significant role in the country's political landscape amid the Russian Empire’s annexation of Georgia. Born in 1832 and passing away in 1899, his diplomatic efforts were crucial in maintaining some degree of Georgian autonomy.

In the 20th century, the name continued to be prominent with an influential Georgian painter, Nino Zura, born in 1923 and known for her contributions to the development of modern Georgian art. Her works often reflected Georgian traditional themes and enjoyed international recognition.

Finally, Tengiz Zura, a scholar born in 1948, is noted for his extensive work in the fields of Georgian history and ethnography. His research has been pivotal in understanding the cultural transitions within the Georgian society throughout centuries.

The surname Zura thus has a rich background deeply rooted in Georgian history, with its bearers contributing significantly to various aspects of Georgian culture and society through the ages.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Zura

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

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

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

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