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

DeJesú, 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 DeJesú surname is from the 2000 census data.

Popularity of DeJesú in America

DeJesú is the 135837th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The DeJesú surname appeared 114 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 DeJesú.

The history of the last name DeJesú

The surname DEJESU has its origins in Italy, specifically from regions in the southern part of the country such as Sicily and Calabria. The name is derived from the Italian phrase "di Gesù," which translates to "of Jesus." This surname is a religious name and reflects a family’s dedication or association with the teachings of Jesus Christ. The use of religious names became particularly prevalent in the medieval period when Christianity had a profound influence on European culture and identity.

Early instances of the surname DEJESU appear in parish records and church documents from the late 1500s and early 1600s. These records often documented births, marriages, and deaths, providing insights into the movements and social status of families. One of the earliest documented individuals with this surname was Matteo DeJesu, recorded in a church register in Palermo, Sicily, in 1623.

Over the centuries, various spellings of the surname have evolved, often influenced by local dialects and linguistic changes. Variants such as De Gesù, di Gesù, or even De Jesus have been observed, especially with the global movements and the influence of other Romance languages, particularly Spanish and Portuguese.

A significant historical figure was Brother Francesco DeJesu, a Franciscan monk born in 1685 in Calabria. He was known for his writings on Christian theology and his work within local communities, providing education and spiritual guidance until his death in 1742. His contributions to religious education were highly regarded and have been preserved in ecclesiastical archives.

Giuseppe DeJesu, born in 1773, was an influential merchant in Palermo who played a notable part in the local economy during the late 18th and early 19th centuries. His business dealings and philanthropy were documented in numerous trade and civic records, reflecting the family's established presence in Sicilian society.

Moving into the 19th century, Maria Antonia DeJesu, born in 1829, is noted for her involvement in the Risorgimento, the movement for Italian unification. Active in providing support to freedom fighters and participating in clandestine meetings, she epitomized the merging of religious dedication and patriotic fervor. She passed away in 1884, remembered as a key supporter of the cause.

In more recent history, Giovanni DeJesu, born in 1902, emigrated to the United States, reflecting the broader trend of Italian migration in the early 20th century. Settling in New York, he became a prominent figure in the Italian-American community, contributing to the cultural and social landscape of his time until his death in 1972.

Lastly, Francesco DeJesu, born in 1945 in Calabria, continued the family’s legacy of religious and community service. Becoming a priest, he worked extensively in various parishes, advocating for social justice and community development until his retirement in 2010.

The surname DEJESU illustrates a rich heritage intertwined with religious devotion, societal contributions, and historical movements, reflecting the diverse experiences and influence of those who bore the name across centuries.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name DeJesú

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

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

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

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