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

LaFata, 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 LaFata surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of LaFata in America

LaFata is the 20806th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The LaFata surname appeared 1,269 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 LaFata.

We can also compare 2010 data for LaFata 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 LaFata

The surname LAFATA has its origins in Italy, tracing back to the late 15th century. It is believed to have originated from the central regions of the country, particularly around the areas of Tuscany and Umbria.

One theory suggests that the name LAFATA is derived from the Italian word "fata," which means "fairy" or "fate." This could indicate that the name was initially bestowed upon someone who had a particular association with mythical creatures or was believed to possess supernatural abilities.

Another possibility is that LAFATA is a locational surname, referring to a specific place or region where the family originated. However, there is no clear evidence of a town or village bearing this exact name in historical records.

The earliest documented mention of the LAFATA surname can be found in a collection of legal documents from the city of Florence, dated around 1492. The record refers to a certain "Giovanni LAFATA," who was involved in a land dispute at the time.

In the 16th century, a notable individual named Benedetto LAFATA (1505-1573) gained recognition as a skilled architect and engineer. He was responsible for the design and construction of several notable buildings and fortifications in the region of Lombardy.

During the 17th century, a branch of the LAFATA family settled in the Kingdom of Naples, where they gained prominence as landowners and merchants. One member, Antonio LAFATA (1624-1697), was a respected scholar and writer who authored several works on philosophy and theology.

In the 18th century, a renowned painter named Giacomo LAFATA (1732-1805) emerged from the city of Siena. His works, primarily focused on religious themes and portraiture, can still be found in various churches and galleries throughout Italy.

Another notable figure bearing the LAFATA surname was Giuseppe LAFATA (1824-1891), a politician and statesman who played a significant role in the unification of Italy during the Risorgimento movement. He served as a member of the Italian parliament and was a strong advocate for democratic reforms.

Throughout the centuries, the LAFATA name has maintained a presence in various regions of Italy, with families carrying on the legacy of this surname across generations. While not widely known outside of Italy, the LAFATA surname holds a rich history deeply rooted in the cultural and historical fabric of the Italian peninsula.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name LaFata

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

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

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

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