Chianese
Italian surname denoting someone from or associated with the town of Chiana.
According to the 2010 US Census Bureau surname tables, roughly 754 Americans carry the last name Chianese. That puts it at #35,147 in the national surname ranking, appearing at a frequency of 0.22 per 100,000 people (about 1 in 454,581 residents).
This page is the full Name Census profile for the Chianese 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
754
1 in 454,581
Census rank
#35,147
2010 decennial data
Per 100,000
0.2
Frequency rate
Recorded bearers
641
very rare in the US
Popularity narrative
The Census Bureau recorded 641 bearers of the surname Chianese in its 2010 decennial surname file. At a rate of 0.22 per 100,000 residents, it holds the 35147th position in the national surname ranking.
Among Census respondents with the surname Chianese, the largest self-reported group is White at 94.8%. The next largest groups are Hispanic (2.3%) and Two or More Races (2.0%).
Origin
Meaning and origin of Chianese
The surname CHIANESE is of Italian origin, tracing its roots back to the regions of Campania and Basilicata in southern Italy. It is derived from the Italian word "chiana," which means a flat or level area, often referring to a plain or meadow.
The earliest recorded instances of the CHIANESE surname can be found in historical documents dating back to the 13th century, with a notable mention in the Codex Diplomaticus Cavensis, a collection of medieval records from the Benedictine abbey of Cava de' Tirreni in Salerno, Italy.
One of the earliest known bearers of the CHIANESE name was Niccolò Chianese, a renowned Italian jurist and legal scholar who lived in Naples during the late 14th century. His contributions to the study of Roman law and legal theory were highly regarded in his time.
In the 16th century, the CHIANESE surname gained prominence with the arrival of Girolamo Chianese, a celebrated painter from Naples who was active during the Renaissance period. His works, which often depicted religious themes, can still be found adorning the walls of numerous churches across southern Italy.
During the 18th century, the CHIANESE family produced several notable figures, including Gennaro Chianese, a skilled architect who played a significant role in the reconstruction efforts following the devastating earthquake that struck the city of Nola in 1688.
Another prominent figure bearing the CHIANESE surname was Vincenzo Chianese, a renowned composer and musician who lived in Naples during the late 18th century. His compositions, which included operas and sacred music, were widely performed and celebrated throughout the Italian Peninsula.
In more recent times, the CHIANESE surname has been carried by several individuals who have achieved recognition in various fields, such as Dominick Chianese, an American actor and singer best known for his role as Corrado "Uncle Junior" Soprano in the acclaimed television series "The Sopranos."
Throughout its rich history, the CHIANESE surname has been associated with various geographic locations in southern Italy, including the towns of Chianche in the province of Avellino, and Chiaiano, a neighborhood in the city of Naples. These place names share linguistic roots with the surname, further underscoring its Italian origins.
Demographics
Ancestry and ethnicity for Chianese
Among Census respondents with the surname Chianese, the largest self-reported group is White at 94.8%. The next largest groups are Hispanic (2.3%) and Two or More Races (2.0%).
The bar chart below shows how Chianese 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 Chianese surname at the time of the 2010 Census, not any inherent property of the name itself.
- White94.8%
- Hispanic or Latino2.3%
- Two or more races2.0%
Year on year
2010 vs 2010 Census
How has the Chianese 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 | #35,147 | #35,147 | 0.0% |
| Count | 641 | 641 | 0.0% |
| Per 100K | 0.22 | 0.22 | 0.0% |
Between the 2010 and 2010 Census, the number of Chianese bearers went from 641 to 641 (+0.0% change). The surname held its position in the national ranking, going from #35,147 to #35,147.
Notable bearers
Famous people with the surname Chianese
FAQ
Chianese surname: questions and answers
How common is the last name Chianese?
The surname Chianese holds position #35,147 in the US Census Bureau's surname ranking, with an estimated 754 living bearers. It occurs at a rate of 0.22 per 100,000 Americans.
What is the ethnic background of the Chianese surname?
Among Census respondents with the surname Chianese, the largest self-reported group is White at 94.8%. The next largest groups are Hispanic (2.3%) and Two or More Races (2.0%). 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.