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

Zuraw, 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 Zuraw surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Zuraw in America

Zuraw is the 74608th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Zuraw surname appeared 259 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 Zuraw.

We can also compare 2010 data for Zuraw 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 Zuraw

The surname Zuraw has its origins in Poland, a country in Central Europe known for its rich linguistic and cultural heritage. The name is believed to have first appeared during the late Middle Ages, a period when surnames began to be more consistently used throughout Europe. The surname is derived from the Polish word "żuraw," which means "crane," a large, graceful bird known for its remarkable migratory patterns and distinctive calls. This etymology suggests that the name was likely a toponymic surname, referring to someone who lived near a place where cranes were commonly found or perhaps was given as a nickname to someone who exhibited qualities associated with the bird.

The earliest recorded instances of the surname Zuraw can be traced back to various regions of Poland including Mazovia and Greater Poland. Historical records from the 14th and 15th centuries document the use of surnames with similar spellings such as Zurauew, Zurew, and Żuraw, the latter being the standard Polish orthography. During this period, the use of surnames was often inconsistent, and various spelling variations were commonplace, reflecting the local dialects and phonetic interpretations of scribes.

One of the earliest known individuals with the surname was Stanislaw Zuraw, a minor nobleman recorded in the mid-15th century in the region of Mazovia. He was known to have participated in local assemblies and to have owned a modest estate. By the 17th century, Adam Zuraw became a distinguished figure in Greater Poland as a merchant who significantly contributed to the local economy and was mentioned in several guild records.

In the 18th century, the name appears in military records with Captain Jan Zuraw, who served in the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth's army during the tumultuous period of wars with Sweden and Russia. His service is noted in several military dispatches and commemorated in local histories for his valor during the defense of various towns.

In the 19th century, the name was carried by Kazimierz Żuraw, a notable figure in the November Uprising of 1830-1831 against Russian rule. Kazimierz's involvement in the independence movement was well-documented, and he later published memoirs detailing his experiences, thus preserving his name for posterity.

Another significant figure with the surname was Janina Zuraw, born in 1878, who became a celebrated poet and member of the Polish literary scene. Her works often included pastoral themes and reflections on nature, which resonated with the rural origins of her surname.

Throughout its history, the surname Zuraw has been associated with various regions and social strata in Poland, from nobility and merchants to military figures and artists. Its ties to the natural world, via the word "żuraw" for "crane," reflect a deep-rooted connection to the land and its traditions. The surname, while distinctly Polish in origin, has since spread with the diaspora to various parts of the world, maintaining its cultural legacy.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Zuraw

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

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

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

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