Barbera
An Italian occupational surname referring to a barber or one who shaves and cuts hair.
According to the 2010 US Census Bureau surname tables, roughly 4,284 Americans carry the last name Barbera. That puts it at #8,861 in the national surname ranking, appearing at a frequency of 1.25 per 100,000 people (about 1 in 80,008 residents).
This page is the full Name Census profile for the Barbera surname. You will find the Census Bureau frequency data, an ancestry and ethnicity breakdown based on self-reported demographics, the name's meaning and origin where available, and answers to the most common questions people ask about this surname.
Bearers in the US
4.3K
1 in 80,008
Census rank
#8,861
2010 decennial data
Per 100,000
1.3
Frequency rate
Recorded bearers
3.7K
rare in the US
Popularity narrative
The Census Bureau recorded 3,696 bearers of the surname Barbera in its 2010 decennial surname file. At a rate of 1.25 per 100,000 residents, it holds the 8861st position in the national surname ranking.
Among Census respondents with the surname Barbera, the largest self-reported group is White at 85.7%. The next largest groups are Hispanic (10.3%) and Two or More Races (1.5%).
Origin
Meaning and origin of Barbera
The surname Barbera originated in Italy, specifically in the regions of Sicily and Calabria. It is derived from the Italian word "barba," meaning "beard," and likely referred to someone with a prominent beard or an ancestor with a distinguished beard.
The name Barbera can be traced back to the 12th century, with early records mentioning individuals bearing this surname in various Italian regions. One notable historical reference is found in the Sicilian Vespers, a rebellion against the French occupation in 1282, where several individuals named Barbera were mentioned as participants.
In the 14th century, the Barbera family was recorded in the city of Palermo, Sicily, where they held significant influence and power. Girolamo Barbera (1345-1421), a prominent merchant and landowner, was a notable member of this family during that time.
The name Barbera also appeared in the town of Castelbuono, located in the Madonie Mountains of Sicily, where the Barbera family owned vast lands and estates. Tommaso Barbera (1520-1587), a wealthy nobleman and patron of the arts, was a prominent figure in Castelbuono during the Renaissance period.
As the surname spread throughout Italy, it underwent various spelling variations, such as Barbieri, Barbaro, and Barbieri. One of the earliest recorded instances of the Barbera spelling is found in a document from the city of Reggio Calabria, dated 1487, mentioning a certain Antonello Barbera.
In the 16th century, the Barbera family gained prominence in the city of Naples, where they were involved in the silk trade. Gaspare Barbera (1567-1632), a successful silk merchant, was a notable figure in Neapolitan society during that period.
Another notable individual with the surname Barbera was Francesco Barbera (1718-1791), a renowned architect from Palermo, Sicily. He designed several churches and palaces in the city, including the Church of San Domenico and the Palazzo Valguarnera.
Throughout the centuries, the Barbera surname has been associated with various professions, from merchants and landowners to artists and intellectuals. Individuals with this surname have left their mark on Italian history and culture, and the name continues to be widespread in Italy, particularly in the southern regions.
Demographics
Ancestry and ethnicity for Barbera
Among Census respondents with the surname Barbera, the largest self-reported group is White at 85.7%. The next largest groups are Hispanic (10.3%) and Two or More Races (1.5%).
The bar chart below shows how Barbera bearers described their own race and ethnicity on the 2010 Census form. The Census Bureau groups responses into six broad categories: White, Black or African American, Hispanic or Latino, Asian and Pacific Islander, American Indian and Alaska Native, and Two or More Races. When a category has too few respondents for a given surname, the Bureau suppresses the figure to protect individual privacy, which is why some names show fewer than six slices.
Keep in mind that these are self-reported numbers. A person's surname does not determine their race or ethnicity, and the distribution you see here reflects the specific population who happened to carry the Barbera surname at the time of the 2010 Census, not any inherent property of the name itself.
- White85.7%
- Hispanic or Latino10.3%
- Two or more races1.5%
- Black or African American1.2%
- Asian and Pacific Islander1.1%
- American Indian and Alaska Native0.2%
Year on year
2010 vs 2010 Census
How has the Barbera surname changed between Census years? The chart shows bearer count side by side, and the table compares rank, count, and frequency.
Census year comparison
| Metric | 2010 | 2010 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rank | #8,861 | #8,861 | 0.0% |
| Count | 3,696 | 3,696 | 0.0% |
| Per 100K | 1.25 | 1.25 | 0.0% |
Between the 2010 and 2010 Census, the number of Barbera bearers went from 3,696 to 3,696 (+0.0% change). The surname held its position in the national ranking, going from #8,861 to #8,861.
Notable bearers
Famous people with the surname Barbera
FAQ
Barbera surname: questions and answers
How common is the last name Barbera?
The surname Barbera holds position #8,861 in the US Census Bureau's surname ranking, with an estimated 4,284 living bearers. It occurs at a rate of 1.25 per 100,000 Americans.
What is the ethnic background of the Barbera surname?
Among Census respondents with the surname Barbera, the largest self-reported group is White at 85.7%. The next largest groups are Hispanic (10.3%) and Two or More Races (1.5%). These figures come from the 2010 Census Bureau surname tables, based on how respondents described their own race and ethnicity.
Where does this surname data come from?
All surname statistics on Name Census are drawn from the US Census Bureau's decennial surname frequency tables. These tables list every surname that appeared 100 or more times in the 2010 Census, along with a frequency rate and self-reported demographic breakdown. You can read the full explanation on our methodology page.