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

Jova, 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 Jova surname is from the 2000 census data.

Popularity of Jova in America

Jova is the 148244th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Jova surname appeared 102 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 Jova.

The history of the last name Jova

The surname Jova is a distinctive name with its roots traced back to Southern Europe, particularly within the regions of Spain and Italy, around the Medieval period. The name Jova is believed to have derived from the Latin word Jovius, which is associated with Jove or Jupiter, the chief deity in Roman mythology. This indicates that the name may have originally been a form of reverence to the deity, reflecting the cultural and religious influences of that time.

Old records from the Catalonia area in Spain suggest that the name Jova appeared in various forms throughout history, with spellings such as Jove and Jova alternating over time. The name is found in ancient manuscripts dating back to the 12th century, documenting its presence and usage among the noble and common classes alike. In Italy, historical references to the name Jova indicate its presence primarily in the Northern regions, frequently appearing in parish records and early censuses.

One of the earliest recorded examples of the name Jova found in Spain is Pere Jova, who was documented in 1234 as a landowner in the Catalonia region. Another individual, Giovanni Jova, appeared in Italian records from 1387, serving as a city official in Genoa. These instances highlight the geographic spread and social roles held by individuals with this surname.

The name Jova is also mentioned in various medieval texts and legal documents. For instance, Maria Jova, a noted merchant in Valencia, was documented in trade records from 1456. The name’s presence in trade documents indicates the involvement of the Jova family in commerce and their significant contribution to the economic activities of the time.

Moreover, a prominent historical figure bearing this surname is Matheus Jova, a poet and philosopher from Florence, born in 1532 and died in 1586. His works contributed significantly to Renaissance literature in Italy. Another noteworthy individual is Rafael Jova, a military commander from Spain, born in 1623 and remembered for his role in various military campaigns in the mid-17th century.

The name’s variations and adaptations over time reflect the linguistic evolutions within the regions it was found. Whether as Jova or Jove, the surname has persisted through the centuries, adapting to the cultural and sociopolitical changes of Southern Europe. It has also been identified in historical records of emigration, particularly to the Americas during the Age of Exploration, further spreading its presence and ensuring its historical continuity.

Throughout history, individuals with the surname Jova have played various roles in their societies, from landowners and merchants to poets and military leaders. This diversity of roles underscores the broad social integration and influence of people bearing this name, contributing to its longevity and cultural significance over several centuries.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Jova

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

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 Jova 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.

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

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

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