Berra
An Italian surname indicating the bearer hailed from the region of Berra, Italy.
According to the 2010 US Census Bureau surname tables, roughly 1,028 Americans carry the last name Berra. That puts it at #27,604 in the national surname ranking, appearing at a frequency of 0.30 per 100,000 people (about 1 in 333,419 residents).
This page is the full Name Census profile for the Berra 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
1.0K
1 in 333,419
Census rank
#27,604
2010 decennial data
Per 100,000
0.3
Frequency rate
Recorded bearers
872
rare in the US
Popularity narrative
The Census Bureau recorded 872 bearers of the surname Berra in its 2010 decennial surname file. At a rate of 0.30 per 100,000 residents, it holds the 27604th position in the national surname ranking.
Among Census respondents with the surname Berra, the largest self-reported group is White at 75.5%. The next largest groups are Hispanic (22.3%) and Black (1.1%).
Origin
Meaning and origin of Berra
The surname BERRA is of Italian origin, specifically from the Piedmont region in northwestern Italy. Its origins can be traced back to the late medieval period, around the 13th or 14th century.
BERRA is believed to be derived from the Italian word "berra," which means "cap" or "hat." It was likely used as a nickname or descriptive name for someone who wore a distinctive hat or headgear, possibly as part of their profession or social status.
The earliest recorded instances of the surname BERRA can be found in historical documents and records from the Piedmont region, such as town registers and parish records. One of the earliest known references is in a document dated 1348 from the city of Asti, mentioning a certain "Giovanni Berra."
During the Renaissance period, the name BERRA appeared in various records and manuscripts, particularly in the cities of Turin and Cuneo. In the 16th century, a notable figure named Bartolomeo Berra was a prominent merchant and landowner in the town of Savigliano.
In the late 17th century, a family with the surname BERRA gained prominence in the village of Monforte d'Alba, where they owned vineyards and were involved in the wine trade. One of their descendants, Carlo Berra (1718-1793), was a respected winemaker and is considered an early pioneer in the region's wine production.
Another notable individual with the surname BERRA was Giulio Berra (1830-1912), a painter and artist from Turin who was known for his landscapes and portraits. His works can be found in various galleries and museums throughout Italy.
During the 19th century, the BERRA family spread to other parts of Italy, as well as to other countries through emigration. One prominent figure was Giuseppe Berra (1865-1932), an Italian-American engineer who played a significant role in the construction of the New York City subway system.
The surname BERRA can also be found in other European countries, such as France and Spain, likely due to migration and intermarriage over the centuries. However, its roots can be traced back to the Piedmont region of Italy, where it originated as a nickname or descriptive name related to headgear or hats.
Demographics
Ancestry and ethnicity for Berra
Among Census respondents with the surname Berra, the largest self-reported group is White at 75.5%. The next largest groups are Hispanic (22.3%) and Black (1.1%).
The bar chart below shows how Berra 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 Berra surname at the time of the 2010 Census, not any inherent property of the name itself.
- White75.5%
- Hispanic or Latino22.3%
- Black or African American1.1%
- Asian and Pacific Islander0.6%
- Two or more races0.6%
Year on year
2010 vs 2010 Census
How has the Berra 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 | #27,604 | #27,604 | 0.0% |
| Count | 872 | 872 | 0.0% |
| Per 100K | 0.30 | 0.30 | 0.0% |
Between the 2010 and 2010 Census, the number of Berra bearers went from 872 to 872 (+0.0% change). The surname held its position in the national ranking, going from #27,604 to #27,604.
Notable bearers
Famous people with the surname Berra
FAQ
Berra surname: questions and answers
How common is the last name Berra?
The surname Berra holds position #27,604 in the US Census Bureau's surname ranking, with an estimated 1,028 living bearers. It occurs at a rate of 0.30 per 100,000 Americans.
What is the ethnic background of the Berra surname?
Among Census respondents with the surname Berra, the largest self-reported group is White at 75.5%. The next largest groups are Hispanic (22.3%) and Black (1.1%). 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.