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

LaForgia, 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 LaForgia surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of LaForgia in America

LaForgia is the 52736th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The LaForgia surname appeared 393 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 LaForgia.

We can also compare 2010 data for LaForgia 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 LaForgia

The surname LAFORGIA originates from Italy, with roots tracing back to the Middle Ages. It is believed to have derived from the Italian phrase "la forgia," which translates to "the forge" or "the blacksmith's workshop." This connection suggests that the name might have been initially associated with individuals who worked as blacksmiths or lived near a forge.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name can be found in the historic town of Altamura, located in the Apulia region of southern Italy. In the 13th century, a document from the Benedictine monastery of Altamura mentions a family with the surname LAFORGIA, indicating their presence in the area during that time period.

The LAFORGIA name has also been linked to the town of Tricase, situated in the Lecce province of Apulia. Historical records from the 16th century reference several individuals with this surname residing in Tricase and the surrounding villages. This suggests that the name may have spread from its initial origins to other parts of the region.

Throughout history, several notable individuals have carried the LAFORGIA surname. One such person was Girolamo LAFORGIA, a renowned scholar and philosopher who lived in the 16th century (1552-1624). He was born in Altamura and authored several works on logic and metaphysics, contributing to the intellectual discourse of his time.

Another prominent figure was Antonio LAFORGIA, an Italian painter from the late 17th century (1648-1718). Born in Tricase, he was known for his religious and mythological paintings, many of which adorned churches and noble residences throughout Apulia and the neighboring regions.

In the 19th century, Giuseppe LAFORGIA (1813-1879) gained recognition as a poet and writer from the city of Lecce. His works often celebrated the beauty and cultural heritage of his native Apulia, preserving the region's literary traditions for future generations.

Additionally, the LAFORGIA name has been associated with various place names and localities within Italy. For instance, "Masseria LAFORGIA" is a historic farmhouse and estate located near the town of Altamura, likely named after a family who once owned or resided there.

While the surname LAFORGIA is predominantly found in southern Italy, particularly in the Apulia region, it has also spread to other parts of the country and beyond through migration and diaspora over the centuries.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name LaForgia

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

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

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

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