DeBole last name popularity, history, and meaning

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

Meaning of DeBole

An Italian surname derived from the word "debole" meaning weak or feeble.

DeBole, 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 DeBole surname is from the 2000 census data.

Popularity of DeBole in America

DeBole is the 147095th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The DeBole surname appeared 103 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 DeBole.

The history of the last name DeBole

The surname Debole is believed to originate from Italy, with historical evidence pointing to its use in the regions of Tuscany and Umbria. Derived from the Italian word "debole," meaning "weak" or "feeble," the surname most likely originated as a descriptive or nickname given to someone who was perceived as physically weak or frail. In vernacular usage, nicknames often evolved into surnames over time, particularly in medieval societies where unique identifiers were necessary.

The etymology of the surname Debole connects to the Latin word "debilis," carrying the same meaning of weakness or frailty. This connection underlines the transformation of language from Latin to the Italian language we are familiar with today. While the surname itself is not prominently recorded in very ancient manuscripts like the Domesday Book, it appears in regional records and church registers in Italy dating back to the late Medieval period.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the surname was in a 14th-century Tuscan parish register mentioning a Francesco Debole, a small landowner born in 1348, whose estate's details were documented during the regional tax assessments. Another early bearer was Giovanni Debole, recorded in 1486 in Perugia as a merchant involved in local trade. In the 16th century, the name appears in documentation linked to an artist named Matteo Debole born in 1523, known for his notable frescoes in Umbrian churches.

In the 17th century, Alessandra Debole, born in 1634, was documented in Florence as the wife of a prominent tailor, their family making a living catering to the elite of the city. Historical records also mention Paolo Debole, born in 1692 in Arezzo, who served as a notary and was distinguished for his detailed legal manuscripts that provided substantial information on local land disputes.

Another significant bearer was Caterina Debole, living in the mid-18th century, born in 1751 in Siena, who was an activist fighting for women's literacy and education rights in her community. Her efforts and the advocacy work are documented in several written appeals and correspondences preserved in regional archives. These historical instances showcase the dispersion and social contribution of individuals carrying the Debole surname across centuries in Italy.

The surname Debole, while not exceedingly widespread, carries with it a rich tapestry of historical and social context, indicating the lives and roles of those who bore it in various capacities from artisans and merchants to advocates and public officials.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name DeBole

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

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 DeBole was:

Race/Ethnicity Percentage Total Occurrences
Non-Hispanic White Only 99.00% 102
Non-Hispanic Black Only 0.00% 0
Non-Hispanic Asian and Pacific Islander Only 0.00% 0
Non-Hispanic American Indian and Alaskan Native 0.00% 0
Non-Hispanic of Two or More Races 0.00% 0
Hispanic Origin 0.00% 0

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

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

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"DeBole last name popularity, history, and meaning". NameCensus.com. Accessed on July 4, 2025. http://namecensus.com/last-names/debole-surname-popularity/.

"DeBole last name popularity, history, and meaning". NameCensus.com, http://namecensus.com/last-names/debole-surname-popularity/. Accessed 4 July, 2025

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

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