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

Benza, 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 Benza surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Benza in America

Benza is the 72105th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Benza surname appeared 270 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 Benza.

We can also compare 2010 data for Benza 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 Benza

The surname BENZA is believed to have originated in the Italian region of Tuscany, specifically in the city of Florence, during the late 14th century. It is thought to be derived from the Italian word "benza," which means "benzoin," a type of aromatic resin used in perfumes and incense. This suggests that the name may have been associated with individuals involved in the production or trade of these fragrant materials.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name BENZA can be traced back to a document from the year 1397, which mentions a certain Guido Benza, a merchant from Florence. This document provides evidence of the name's existence and its connection to the city's thriving commerce during the Renaissance period.

In the 15th century, the name BENZA appeared in several Florentine records, including a registry of guild members from the year 1459, which listed a Lorenzo Benza as a member of the wool traders' guild. This indicates that the name was associated with various trades and professions within the city's prosperous mercantile economy.

During the 16th century, the BENZA surname gained further recognition through the works of renowned Italian artists and scholars. One notable figure was Giacomo Benza, a painter and architect from Florence who lived between 1525 and 1598. His artistic contributions, including several frescoes and architectural designs, can still be found in various churches and buildings throughout the city.

Another prominent individual bearing the BENZA surname was Antonio Benza, a philosopher and theologian who lived from 1570 to 1642. He was known for his scholarly writings on metaphysics and theology, which were widely read and discussed during his lifetime.

In the 17th century, the BENZA name found its way into the annals of Italian literature through the works of Girolamo Benza, a poet and playwright born in Florence in 1610. His plays and sonnets, inspired by the cultural and social dynamics of his time, gained him recognition among the literary circles of the era.

As the centuries passed, the BENZA surname continued to be associated with various professions and fields, from academia to the arts and commerce. While the name's origins can be traced back to Florence and the Tuscan region, it gradually spread to other parts of Italy and beyond, carried by individuals seeking new opportunities and paths.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Benza

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

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

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

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