Lacava
An Italian topographic surname indicating someone from the region of La Cava.
According to the 2010 US Census Bureau surname tables, roughly 1,337 Americans carry the last name Lacava. That puts it at #22,216 in the national surname ranking, appearing at a frequency of 0.39 per 100,000 people (about 1 in 256,361 residents).
This page is the full Name Census profile for the Lacava 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
1.3K
1 in 256,361
Census rank
#22,216
2010 decennial data
Per 100,000
0.4
Frequency rate
Recorded bearers
1.2K
rare in the US
Popularity narrative
The Census Bureau recorded 1,161 bearers of the surname Lacava in its 2010 decennial surname file. At a rate of 0.39 per 100,000 residents, it holds the 22216th position in the national surname ranking.
Among Census respondents with the surname Lacava, the largest self-reported group is White at 92.6%. The next largest groups are Hispanic (5.6%) and Two or More Races (0.9%).
Origin
Meaning and origin of Lacava
The surname LACAVA originates from Italy, specifically the regions of Campania and Puglia, dating back to the 12th century. It is derived from the Italian word "cava," meaning "quarry" or "cave," suggesting that the name was likely associated with people who lived near or worked in quarries or caves.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the name LACAVA can be found in a document from the town of Grottaminarda in the province of Avellino, Campania, dated 1234. This document mentions a landowner named Guglielmo LACAVA.
The name LACAVA is also linked to various place names in Italy, such as La Cava de' Tirreni, a town in the province of Salerno, Campania. This town was formerly known as La Cava and is believed to have influenced the surname's formation.
In the 14th century, the LACAVA name appeared in historical records from the city of Naples, where a family of that name held influential positions. One notable member was Filippo LACAVA, a renowned lawyer and judge who served in the royal court of King Robert of Naples (1309-1343).
During the Renaissance period, the LACAVA family gained prominence in the arts. Giovanni Battista LACAVA (1512-1592), a renowned painter and architect from Naples, was commissioned to design several churches and palaces in the city.
Another noteworthy figure was Antonio LACAVA (1713-1784), a Neapolitan philosopher and theologian who wrote extensively on moral and ethical issues. His works were widely read and discussed in academic circles of the time.
In the 19th century, Giuseppe LACAVA (1834-1901) was a prominent Italian politician and journalist from Puglia. He served as a member of the Italian Parliament and played a significant role in the unification of Italy.
One of the most famous individuals with the surname LACAVA is the Italian film director and screenwriter Mario LACAVA (1888-1965). He is best known for his work in Hollywood during the 1930s and 1940s, directing classic films such as "Stage Door" (1937) and "Lady in the Dark" (1944).
Demographics
Ancestry and ethnicity for Lacava
Among Census respondents with the surname Lacava, the largest self-reported group is White at 92.6%. The next largest groups are Hispanic (5.6%) and Two or More Races (0.9%).
The bar chart below shows how Lacava 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 Lacava surname at the time of the 2010 Census, not any inherent property of the name itself.
- White92.6%
- Hispanic or Latino5.6%
- Two or more races0.9%
- Asian and Pacific Islander0.6%
Year on year
2010 vs 2010 Census
How has the Lacava 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 | #22,216 | #22,216 | 0.0% |
| Count | 1,161 | 1,161 | 0.0% |
| Per 100K | 0.39 | 0.39 | 0.0% |
Between the 2010 and 2010 Census, the number of Lacava bearers went from 1,161 to 1,161 (+0.0% change). The surname held its position in the national ranking, going from #22,216 to #22,216.
Notable bearers
Famous people with the surname Lacava
FAQ
Lacava surname: questions and answers
How common is the last name Lacava?
The surname Lacava holds position #22,216 in the US Census Bureau's surname ranking, with an estimated 1,337 living bearers. It occurs at a rate of 0.39 per 100,000 Americans.
What is the ethnic background of the Lacava surname?
Among Census respondents with the surname Lacava, the largest self-reported group is White at 92.6%. The next largest groups are Hispanic (5.6%) and Two or More Races (0.9%). 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.