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

Canaca, 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 Canaca surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Canaca in America

Canaca is the 132206th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Canaca surname appeared 128 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 Canaca.

The history of the last name Canaca

The surname Canaca is believed to have its origins in Italy, specifically in the northern regions of the country. It is thought to be derived from the Latin word "canalis," which means "canal" or "channel." This suggests that the name may have been associated with those who lived near or worked on canals or waterways.

In the 13th century, records show individuals bearing the name Canaca residing in the city of Venice, known for its intricate system of canals. One of the earliest recorded instances is that of Giacomo Canaca, a merchant who lived in the late 1200s and was involved in the trade of spices and textiles with the East.

The name also appeared in various historical documents from the Renaissance period, including tax records and property deeds. For instance, in 1487, a certain Marcantonio Canaca is mentioned as the owner of a vineyard in the outskirts of Florence.

As the name spread across Italy, it underwent slight variations in spelling, such as Canacca, Canacha, and Canaccia. These variations were often influenced by regional dialects and local pronunciation.

One notable bearer of the Canaca name was Giovanni Battista Canaca, a renowned architect from Vicenza who lived in the late 15th and early 16th centuries. He was responsible for designing several churches and public buildings that still stand today, including the Church of Santa Corona in his hometown.

Another individual of historical significance was Elisabetta Canaca, a noblewoman from Milan who lived in the late 16th century. She was known for her philanthropy and patronage of the arts, as well as her support for the establishment of one of the city's earliest orphanages.

In the 17th century, the name Canaca can be found in records from the Republic of Venice, with mentions of a family of merchants and bankers who held significant influence in the city's economic affairs.

As the centuries passed, the Canaca surname spread beyond Italy, with some bearers migrating to other parts of Europe and eventually to the Americas. However, its roots remain firmly planted in the northern regions of Italy, where it first emerged as a name associated with those who lived and worked near canals and waterways.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Canaca

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

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 Canaca 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.

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

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

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