Infurna last name popularity, history, and meaning

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

Meaning of Infurna

An Italian surname derived from "forno," meaning "oven" or "furnace."

Infurna, 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 Infurna surname is from the 2000 census data.

Popularity of Infurna in America

Infurna is the 141788th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Infurna surname appeared 108 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 Infurna.

The history of the last name Infurna

The surname Infurna has its origins in Italy, specifically from the island of Sicily. The name likely emerged during the Middle Ages, a period which saw a rich tapestry of cultural and linguistic influences in the region due to various conquests and migrations, including the Normans, Arabs, and Byzantines. The root of the surname Infurna appears to be tied to the Italian word "infornare," meaning "to put into the oven," suggesting a potential occupational link to baking or cooking.

The name Infurna may also have variants or similar spellings, such as Inforna or Infornari, though these might be less prevalent. Historical references to the surname are not abundant, but it can be found in legal and church documents in Sicily from the 15th century onward. One of the earliest recorded examples of the name dates back to a 1423 Sicilian baptismal record where a Giovanni Infurna is noted. This illustrates the surname’s established presence in the region by that time.

By examining parish records from the 16th and 17th centuries, the name continues to appear, adding to its historical pedigree. Tommaso Infurna, born in 1589, is documented in a marriage certificate filed in Palermo, reinforcing the surname's geographical footprint in northern Sicily. Another individual of note is Lucia Infurna, born in 1603, who became well-known in her village for her generosity and contributions to local religious institutions.

In the 17th century, Giacomo Infurna, a merchant born in 1645, gained prominence through his trading activities which extended beyond Italy, especially in the Mediterranean basin. His commercial success and philanthropic efforts resulted in some minor patronage to the arts, leaving a subtle but enduring legacy in Sicilian society.

Moving into the 18th century, Giuseppe Infurna, born in 1707, is remembered for his service as a local official in the municipality of Caltanissetta. He was a significant figure in the administrative affairs of the town, involved in land disputes and the management of public resources. His records are found in municipal archives, highlighting his role in local governance.

In the 19th century, Maria Grazia Infurna, born in 1822, became notable for her involvement in the Italian unification movement. She provided logistical support and shelter to various figures involved in the struggle, her efforts chronicled in personal letters and local lore.

While the surname Infurna saw some dispersion over centuries due to migration, many bearers of the name remained firmly rooted in their Sicilian homeland. As historical documents show, the surname reveals a lineage interwoven with local occupations, governance, and social contributions, establishing the Infurna name as a small yet enduring thread in the rich tapestry of Italian history.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Infurna

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

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 Infurna was:

Race/Ethnicity Percentage Total Occurrences
Non-Hispanic White Only 98.15% 106
Non-Hispanic Black Only (S)% (S)
Non-Hispanic Asian and Pacific Islander Only 0.00% 0
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 Infurna was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

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

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"Infurna last name popularity, history, and meaning". NameCensus.com. Accessed on May 20, 2025. http://namecensus.com/last-names/infurna-surname-popularity/.

"Infurna last name popularity, history, and meaning". NameCensus.com, http://namecensus.com/last-names/infurna-surname-popularity/. Accessed 20 May, 2025

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

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