Gazzara
Of Italian origin, meaning someone from the town of Gazzara.
According to the 2010 US Census Bureau surname tables, roughly 343 Americans carry the last name Gazzara. That puts it at #64,388 in the national surname ranking, appearing at a frequency of 0.10 per 100,000 people (about 1 in 999,284 residents).
This page is the full Name Census profile for the Gazzara surname. You will find the Census Bureau frequency data, an ancestry and ethnicity breakdown based on self-reported demographics, the name's meaning and origin where available, and answers to the most common questions people ask about this surname.
Bearers in the US
343
1 in 999,284
Census rank
#64,388
2010 decennial data
Per 100,000
0.1
Frequency rate
Recorded bearers
309
very rare in the US
Popularity narrative
The Census Bureau recorded 309 bearers of the surname Gazzara in its 2010 decennial surname file. At a rate of 0.10 per 100,000 residents, it holds the 64388th position in the national surname ranking.
Among Census respondents with the surname Gazzara, the largest self-reported group is White at 94.5%. The next largest groups are Hispanic (5.2%).
Origin
Meaning and origin of Gazzara
The surname Gazzara is of Italian origin, tracing its roots back to the region of Calabria in southern Italy. It likely emerged during the medieval period, possibly as early as the 11th or 12th century.
One potential origin of the name Gazzara is from the Italian word "gazza," which means "magpie" or "jay." This could suggest that the name was initially used as a nickname or descriptive term for someone who had a resemblance to these birds or perhaps worked with them in some capacity.
Another theory is that the name derives from the Calabrian town of Gazzarra or a similar place name. In this case, the surname would have been adopted by individuals who originated from or had a connection to that particular location.
While there are no definitive historical records documenting the earliest known use of the surname Gazzara, it is possible that it appeared in various medieval manuscripts, tax rolls, or other documents from the Calabrian region during that time period.
One of the earliest recorded individuals bearing this surname was Giovanni Gazzara, a 15th-century Italian scholar and philosopher from Calabria. He made significant contributions to the study of ethics and moral philosophy during the Renaissance era.
In the 16th century, a notable figure named Antonio Gazzara gained recognition as a skilled architect and engineer. He was responsible for designing several notable buildings and fortifications in Naples and other parts of southern Italy.
During the 18th century, Giuseppe Gazzara, a Calabrian artist and painter, became renowned for his religious artwork and frescoes adorning numerous churches throughout the region.
In the 19th century, Vincenzo Gazzara, a lawyer and politician from Calabria, played a prominent role in the Italian unification movement, advocating for the consolidation of various Italian states into a unified nation.
Another notable individual with this surname was Maria Gazzara, a 20th-century Italian writer and journalist from Calabria. She was recognized for her insightful literary works and contributions to various publications, shedding light on the cultural heritage and traditions of her region.
Demographics
Ancestry and ethnicity for Gazzara
Among Census respondents with the surname Gazzara, the largest self-reported group is White at 94.5%. The next largest groups are Hispanic (5.2%).
The bar chart below shows how Gazzara bearers described their own race and ethnicity on the 2010 Census form. The Census Bureau groups responses into six broad categories: White, Black or African American, Hispanic or Latino, Asian and Pacific Islander, American Indian and Alaska Native, and Two or More Races. When a category has too few respondents for a given surname, the Bureau suppresses the figure to protect individual privacy, which is why some names show fewer than six slices.
Keep in mind that these are self-reported numbers. A person's surname does not determine their race or ethnicity, and the distribution you see here reflects the specific population who happened to carry the Gazzara surname at the time of the 2010 Census, not any inherent property of the name itself.
- White94.5%
- Hispanic or Latino5.2%
Year on year
2010 vs 2010 Census
How has the Gazzara surname changed between Census years? The chart shows bearer count side by side, and the table compares rank, count, and frequency.
Census year comparison
| Metric | 2010 | 2010 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rank | #64,388 | #64,388 | 0.0% |
| Count | 309 | 309 | 0.0% |
| Per 100K | 0.10 | 0.10 | 0.0% |
Between the 2010 and 2010 Census, the number of Gazzara bearers went from 309 to 309 (+0.0% change). The surname held its position in the national ranking, going from #64,388 to #64,388.
Notable bearers
Famous people with the surname Gazzara
FAQ
Gazzara surname: questions and answers
How common is the last name Gazzara?
The surname Gazzara holds position #64,388 in the US Census Bureau's surname ranking, with an estimated 343 living bearers. It occurs at a rate of 0.10 per 100,000 Americans.
What is the ethnic background of the Gazzara surname?
Among Census respondents with the surname Gazzara, the largest self-reported group is White at 94.5%. The next largest groups are Hispanic (5.2%). These figures come from the 2010 Census Bureau surname tables, based on how respondents described their own race and ethnicity.
Where does this surname data come from?
All surname statistics on Name Census are drawn from the US Census Bureau's decennial surname frequency tables. These tables list every surname that appeared 100 or more times in the 2010 Census, along with a frequency rate and self-reported demographic breakdown. You can read the full explanation on our methodology page.