DeMeis last name popularity, history, and meaning

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

Meaning of DeMeis

A Romanized variant of the German surname Demmes, derived from a nickname for Thomas.

DeMeis, 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 DeMeis surname is from the 2000 census data.

Popularity of DeMeis in America

DeMeis is the 118954th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The DeMeis surname appeared 135 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 DeMeis.

The history of the last name DeMeis

The surname Demeis has its origins in Italy, more specifically in the region of Sardinia. The name is believed to have emerged around the 13th century. Sardinia, an island with a rich and distinct history within Italy, has a diverse linguistic background that includes influences from Catalan, Spanish, and native Sardinian languages. The name Demeis is thought to derive from the Sardinian word "de meis," which means "of the month" or "from the month," possibly indicating a familial relationship to a person born in a particular month or a reference to a significant monthly event.

Old records and manuscripts from Sardinia and mainland Italy occasionally reference the surname in various documents. For instance, estate and land records from the 15th and 16th centuries frequently list individuals with the surname Demeis in registries. These historical documents are valuable as they provide insights into the prevalence and distribution of the name during those periods.

One of the earliest recorded examples of the surname Demeis dates back to 1487, with a mention of Giovanni Demeis as a landowner in the Sardinian town of Oristano. Another notable historical figure is Maria Demeis, an early 17th-century midwife from Cagliari, whose work is documented in the town’s birth registers. Her services were highly sought after, and she was esteemed in her community for her skill and dedication.

In the 18th century, the name Demeis appeared in various town registers and legal documents across Sardinia. One noteworthy individual is Francesco Demeis (1703–1765), known for his role as a merchant in the port city of Alghero. His financial activities highlight the commercial connections between Sardinia and the broader Mediterranean region during that era.

By the 19th century, the surname featured in broader Italian records. Pietro Demeis (1799–1869), who was a prominent figure in the Italian Unification movement, contributed significantly to the social and political transformations of the period. He is remembered for his involvement in local politics and efforts to modernize agricultural practices in his homeland.

Lastly, Luigi Demeis (1865–1932), an engineer and inventor from Sassari, patented several technological innovations in early 20th-century Italy. His contributions to the development of modern engineering practices were recognized both in Italy and internationally. Luigi's work exemplifies the continued presence and influence of individuals bearing the Demeis surname throughout history.

The Demeis surname, with its Sardinian roots, encapsulates a rich history marked by notable figures contributing to various fields over several centuries. The evolution of the name reflects the intricate tapestry of Sardinian and Italian heritage, remaining a testament to the enduring legacy of those who bore it.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name DeMeis

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

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 DeMeis was:

Race/Ethnicity Percentage Total Occurrences
Non-Hispanic White Only 97.04% 131
Non-Hispanic Black Only 0.00% 0
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 (S)% (S)

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

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

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If you found the data or information on this page useful in your research, please use the tool below to properly cite or reference Name Census as the source. We appreciate your support!

"DeMeis last name popularity, history, and meaning". NameCensus.com. Accessed on April 26, 2025. http://namecensus.com/last-names/demeis-surname-popularity/.

"DeMeis last name popularity, history, and meaning". NameCensus.com, http://namecensus.com/last-names/demeis-surname-popularity/. Accessed 26 April, 2025

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

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