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

Ion, 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 Ion surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Ion in America

Ion is the 37029th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Ion surname appeared 603 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 Ion.

We can also compare 2010 data for Ion 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 Ion

The surname Ion originated in Italy during the medieval period, likely derived from the Latin word "ionius" meaning "of Ionia" or "from the Ionian Sea". It is believed to have emerged as a locational surname, referring to individuals who hailed from regions bordering the Ionian Sea or had some connection to the area.

The earliest recorded instances of the surname Ion can be traced back to the 12th century in various Italian records and manuscripts. One notable example is found in the Codex Diplomaticus Cavensis, a collection of medieval charters from the Campania region, which mentions an individual named Iohannes Ion in a document dated 1184.

During the 13th century, the name Ion appeared in the Florentine Priorista, a record of the city's governing council members. Among these was Guido Ion, who served as a prior in 1278. In the same century, the surname is also documented in Genoa, with a merchant named Oberto Ion mentioned in a trade document from 1265.

As the name spread across Italy, it underwent various spelling variations, such as Ione, Ioni, and Jone. These variations were often influenced by regional dialects and the preferences of local scribes. One notable individual bearing this name was Giovanni Ione, a renowned philosopher and theologian from Naples, who lived from 1406 to 1472.

In the 15th century, the surname Ion gained recognition beyond Italy's borders. In England, records indicate the presence of a merchant named Pietro Ion, who was granted citizenship in the city of Bristol in 1457. Another notable figure was Alvise Ion, a Venetian navigator and explorer who embarked on voyages to the eastern Mediterranean in the late 1400s.

As time progressed, individuals with the surname Ion continued to make their mark in various fields. In the 16th century, Girolamo Ion was a prominent painter from Verona, known for his religious works adorning churches across northern Italy. A century later, Domenico Ion emerged as a respected architect in Rome, responsible for designing several notable buildings, including the Church of Sant'Agnese in Agone.

Throughout the centuries, the surname Ion has been carried by numerous individuals across various professions and regions, contributing to its rich historical tapestry. While the name's roots can be traced back to medieval Italy, its legacy has extended far beyond its origins, becoming a part of the diverse cultural fabric of many nations.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Ion

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

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

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

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