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

Fotia, 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 Fotia surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Fotia in America

Fotia is the 123064th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Fotia surname appeared 140 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 Fotia.

We can also compare 2010 data for Fotia 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 Fotia

The surname FOTIA originated in Greece, with its earliest recorded presence dating back to the 16th century. It is believed to have derived from the Greek word "fotia," meaning "fire" or "light." This suggests that the name may have initially referred to individuals who worked with fire or light, such as glassblowers, blacksmiths, or candlemakers.

During the Byzantine era, the name FOTIA appeared in various manuscripts and records, indicating its widespread use among Greek families. One notable reference was found in a document from the 17th century, which mentioned a prominent merchant named Georgios FOTIA, who traded goods between the Greek islands and the Ottoman Empire.

The earliest known bearer of the surname FOTIA was Alexandros FOTIA, born in 1492 in the village of Vathi on the island of Samos. He was a skilled potter known for his intricate pottery designs inspired by the flickering flames of his kiln.

In the 18th century, the FOTIA surname gained prominence in the Greek city of Thessaloniki, where a family of influential merchants and traders bore the name. One of the most renowned members was Ioannis FOTIA (1738-1812), who established a successful trading company that exported textiles and spices to other parts of Europe.

Another notable FOTIA was Konstantinos FOTIA (1786-1856), a Greek scholar and philosopher who advocated for the revival of Classical Greek ideals. He wrote several treatises on the importance of education and played a significant role in the Greek Enlightenment movement.

During the Greek War of Independence (1821-1832), the FOTIA surname was carried by brave fighters who fought against Ottoman rule. One such figure was Nikolaos FOTIA (1798-1867), a renowned military leader who led several successful battles, contributing to Greece's eventual liberation.

In the 20th century, the FOTIA name gained international recognition through the work of Eleni FOTIA (1924-2008), a prominent Greek author and playwright. Her plays explored themes of family, tradition, and the struggles of modern Greek society, earning her numerous literary awards and critical acclaim.

Throughout its history, the surname FOTIA has remained closely associated with its Greek roots, reflecting the rich cultural heritage and resilience of the Greek people. While the name has spread to various parts of the world due to migration, its origins can be traced back to the ancient lands of Greece, where it has left an indelible mark on the nation's history and legacy.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Fotia

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

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

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

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