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

Desta, 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 Desta surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Desta in America

Desta is the 20541st most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Desta surname appeared 1,291 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 Desta.

We can also compare 2010 data for Desta 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 Desta

The surname "DESTA" is believed to have originated in Italy, specifically in the region of Tuscany, during the Middle Ages. It is derived from the Italian word "desta," which translates to "awake" or "alert." This suggests that the name may have been given to someone who was particularly vigilant or attentive.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name "DESTA" can be found in a document from the 13th century, which mentions a certain Guido Desta, a merchant from Florence. This suggests that the name was already in use by that time and may have been associated with trade or commerce.

In the 14th century, there are records of a nobleman named Piero Desta, who owned a large estate in the Tuscan countryside. This indicates that the name had gained some prominence and was being used by members of the nobility as well as commoners.

During the Renaissance period, the name "DESTA" gained further recognition with the birth of Matteo Desta (1481-1548), a renowned painter and sculptor from Siena. His works can still be seen in various churches and museums throughout Italy, attesting to his artistic legacy.

Another notable figure bearing the name "DESTA" was Girolamo Desta (1592-1662), a lawyer and jurist from Bologna who served as a judge in the Papal States. His writings on legal matters were widely influential during his time and contributed to the development of canon law.

In the 18th century, the name "DESTA" appeared in the annals of Italian literature with the poet and playwright Giovanni Battista Desta (1724-1803). His works, which often explored themes of love and nature, were celebrated for their lyrical beauty and garnered him widespread acclaim.

While the name "DESTA" has its roots in Italy, it has since spread to other parts of the world due to migration and cultural exchange. However, its historical significance remains deeply rooted in the rich tapestry of Italian heritage and culture.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Desta

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

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

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

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