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

Contes, 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 Contes surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Contes in America

Contes is the 65782nd most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Contes surname appeared 301 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 Contes.

We can also compare 2010 data for Contes 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 Contes

The surname Contes originated in Italy, with the earliest records dating back to the 13th century. It is believed to have derived from the Italian word "conte," which means "count" or "earl," suggesting that the name may have been associated with individuals who held noble titles or positions of authority.

The name Contes was particularly prevalent in the regions of Piedmont and Liguria, where it can be traced back to the medieval period. It is likely that the name was initially adopted by families or individuals who had some connection to the local nobility or held positions of power within their communities.

In the 14th century, a notable figure named Giovanni Contes (born around 1320) was mentioned in historical records as a prominent merchant and landowner in the city of Genoa. His wealth and influence likely contributed to the spread and recognition of the surname within the region.

Another early record of the name can be found in a manuscript from the 15th century, which mentions a nobleman named Niccolò Contes (born around 1450) who held significant land holdings in the Piedmont region. This document provides valuable insight into the social status and standing of those bearing the Contes surname during that time period.

As the name spread across Italy, it also became associated with various place names and localities. For instance, the town of Contes in the province of Imperia, Liguria, likely derived its name from the surname itself, further solidifying its historical ties to the region.

Throughout the centuries, several notable individuals have carried the Contes surname, including:

1. Francesco Contes (1547-1620), a renowned Italian architect and engineer known for his work on various churches and fortifications in Genoa.
2. Girolamo Contes (1590-1670), a Jesuit priest and scholar who made significant contributions to the study of theology and philosophy during the 17th century.
3. Maria Contes (1715-1790), a renowned painter from Genoa who gained recognition for her portraits and religious works during the Baroque period.
4. Carlo Contes (1810-1876), an Italian politician and statesman who served as a member of the Parliament during the unification of Italy in the 19th century.
5. Giuseppe Contes (1875-1942), an Italian composer and conductor who gained popularity for his operas and orchestral works in the early 20th century.

While the surname Contes has its roots in Italy, it has since spread to other parts of the world due to migration and emigration. However, its origins and historical significance remain deeply rooted in the regions of Piedmont and Liguria, where it first emerged as a prominent surname associated with nobility, power, and cultural influence.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Contes

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

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

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

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