Currea last name popularity, history, and meaning

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

Meaning of Currea

A surname derived from the Spanish word "correa" meaning a strap or belt.

Currea, 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 Currea surname is from the 2000 census data.

Popularity of Currea in America

Currea is the 148244th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Currea surname appeared 102 times in the 2000 census and if you were to sample 100,000 people in the United States, approximately 0 people would have the surname Currea.

The history of the last name Currea

The surname Currea is believed to have its origin in Italy, likely emerging during the medieval period. The name is primarily found in the southern regions of Italy, including areas such as Calabria and Sicily. It is thought to derive from the Italian word "curro," meaning "courier" or "messenger," with the suffix "-ea" being a regional or diminutive addition. Alternatively, some etymologists suggest that Currea may have originated from the Latin word "curia," indicating a place of assembly or court, which could have been a title for someone who held a position within such an institution.

One of the earliest references to the name Currea can be traced back to parish records in the 16th century. For example, there was a Giacomo Currea who was mentioned in a baptismal record in 1574 in the town of Cosenza, Calabria. Another early instance includes a land deed from 1623, listing a Domenico Currea as a property owner in Palermo, Sicily. These early records help establish the geographical spread and social standing of the Currea family during this time.

The name Currea appears in various historical documents, and older spellings such as Correa and Curia have been observed in manuscripts and legal records. An example includes Francesco Currea, a merchant, recorded in a trade document from 1702 in Naples. This shows the name’s association with various professions, particularly those linked to commerce and public service.

Throughout history, several notable individuals bore the surname Currea. One such person was Pietro Currea, a 17th-century philosopher and author from Calabria, who contributed to early Enlightenment thought with his works on natural philosophy. In the realm of politics, Giovanni Currea, born in 1825, became a prominent local official in Palermo during the mid-19th century and played a significant role in the unification of Italy.

In the field of arts, Maria Currea, a painter born in 1880 in Sicily, gained recognition for her contributions to the Italian Impressionist movement. Another distinguished individual was Antonio Currea, a military officer born in 1923, who served in the Italian army during World War II and received commendations for his bravery.

The surname Currea holds a significant amount of historical weight, evolving over centuries. It spans across professions and regions, marking notable contributions to Italian culture and history. By tracing its etymology and historical references, one can see the rich tapestry that comprises the Currea lineage.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Currea

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

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 2000 census data, the race/ethnic origin breakdown for Currea was:

Race/Ethnicity Percentage Total Occurrences
Non-Hispanic White Only 14.71% 15
Non-Hispanic Black Only (S)% (S)
Non-Hispanic Asian and Pacific Islander Only (S)% (S)
Non-Hispanic American Indian and Alaskan Native 0.00% 0
Non-Hispanic of Two or More Races 0.00% 0
Hispanic Origin 82.35% 84

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

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

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"Currea last name popularity, history, and meaning". NameCensus.com. Accessed on May 28, 2025. http://namecensus.com/last-names/currea-surname-popularity/.

"Currea last name popularity, history, and meaning". NameCensus.com, http://namecensus.com/last-names/currea-surname-popularity/. Accessed 28 May, 2025

Currea last name popularity, history, and meaning. NameCensus.com. Retrieved from http://namecensus.com/last-names/currea-surname-popularity/.

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