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

Zurawski, 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 Zurawski surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Zurawski in America

Zurawski is the 18423rd most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Zurawski surname appeared 1,503 times in the 2010 census and if you were to sample 100,000 people in the United States, approximately 1 people would have the surname Zurawski.

We can also compare 2010 data for Zurawski 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 Zurawski

The surname Zurawski has its origins in Poland, dating back to the medieval period. It is a Polish surname derived from the word żuraw, which means crane, a bird that often symbolizes vigilance and long life in many cultures. This surname is part of the larger Slavic name tradition, often connected to nature or animals.

Zurawski likely originated in areas where cranes were commonly found, predominantly rural and wetland regions. It is a toponymic surname, meaning it is often based on the geographic features of the land and could have originally been used to denote people living near or around cranes or from places named after the bird.

The surname first appeared in historical records in Poland during the 14th and 15th centuries. One of the earliest documented instances is from the year 1498, where a Jan Zurawski is mentioned in judicial records in the Mazovia region. Records from 1502 also indicate a Wojciech Zurawski as a landowner in Greater Poland, illustrating the name’s established presence.

Old spellings of the name vary, including Żurawski and Żórawski, reflecting slight regional dialect differences. These variations sometimes appear in legal documents, parish registers, and old manuscripts, showing a consistent usage pattern over several centuries.

Among historical figures, Stanisław Zurawski (1563–1627) was a noted Polish mathematician and astronomer whose work significantly contributed to the scientific community in Kraków. Another individual, Jan Zurawski (1666–1731), served as a prominent merchant in Warsaw, indicating the name's association with influential societal roles.

In the 19th century, Aleksander Zurawski (1829–1887) emerged as a notable figure in the Polish independence movement, playing a significant role in the January Uprising against Russian rule. His contributions to the struggle for national sovereignty are well-documented in historical texts of the period.

Additionally, Maria Zurawska (1873–1952), an accomplished artist and painter, gained recognition in Europe for her works depicting rural Polish life, further popularizing the surname through her artistic endeavors.

Joseph Zurawski (1845–1912), an immigrant to the United States, became known for his agricultural innovations in Wisconsin, which were critical in developing modern farming techniques in the region. His legacy includes numerous innovations that are still recognized today.

The surname Zurawski continues to carry a rich historical legacy, rooted deeply in Polish culture and history. Its bearers have contributed to various fields such as science, art, and national movements, making it a name of significant heritage and enduring significance.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Zurawski

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

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

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

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