Leone
An Italian surname referring to a lion, often signifying courage, strength, or a fierce nature.
According to the 2010 US Census Bureau surname tables, roughly 17,858 Americans carry the last name Leone. That puts it at #2,372 in the national surname ranking, appearing at a frequency of 5.21 per 100,000 people (about 1 in 19,193 residents).
This page is the full Name Census profile for the Leone 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
18K
1 in 19,193
Census rank
#2,372
2010 decennial data
Per 100,000
5.2
Frequency rate
Recorded bearers
15K
uncommon in the US
Popularity narrative
The Census Bureau recorded 15,364 bearers of the surname Leone in its 2010 decennial surname file. At a rate of 5.21 per 100,000 residents, it holds the 2372nd position in the national surname ranking.
Among Census respondents with the surname Leone, the largest self-reported group is White at 93.1%. The next largest groups are Hispanic (3.5%) and Black (1.2%).
Origin
Meaning and origin of Leone
The surname Leone originates from Italy and is derived from the Italian word "leone," meaning lion. This surname likely emerged in the Middle Ages, as surnames became more widespread across Europe during this time period.
The earliest documented instances of the Leone surname can be traced back to the 13th century in regions such as Sicily, Calabria, and Naples. The name may have been initially adopted by individuals who displayed bravery or strength akin to the lion, or it could have been a descriptive name for someone with lion-like physical characteristics.
In the late 13th century, records from the city of Messina in Sicily mention a nobleman named Riccardo Leone, suggesting the name's association with nobility and prominence at that time. Another early reference to the Leone surname can be found in the "Codice Diplomatico Barese," a collection of documents from the city of Bari in southern Italy, where it mentions a certain Nicola Leone in the year 1295.
The surname Leone has been documented in various historical records throughout Italy's history, including the "Codice Diplomatico Normanno" from the 11th century, which mentions a certain Guglielmo Leone in the year 1081.
One notable bearer of the Leone surname was Tommaso Leone (1616-1676), an Italian painter from Naples who was known for his religious works and landscapes. Another prominent figure was Giovanni Leone (1908-2001), an Italian politician who served as the sixth President of the Italian Republic from 1971 to 1978.
Other notable individuals with the surname Leone include Enrico Leone (1835-1909), an Italian philosopher and writer, as well as Vincenzo Leone (1624-1694), an Italian painter and architect from Naples who was known for his Baroque-style works.
In the 15th century, the Leone surname can be found in records from the Duchy of Milan, suggesting its spread throughout various regions of Italy over time.
Demographics
Ancestry and ethnicity for Leone
Among Census respondents with the surname Leone, the largest self-reported group is White at 93.1%. The next largest groups are Hispanic (3.5%) and Black (1.2%).
The bar chart below shows how Leone 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 Leone surname at the time of the 2010 Census, not any inherent property of the name itself.
- White93.1%
- Hispanic or Latino3.5%
- Black or African American1.2%
- Two or more races1.0%
- Asian and Pacific Islander0.8%
- American Indian and Alaska Native0.5%
Year on year
2010 vs 2010 Census
How has the Leone 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 | #2,372 | #2,372 | 0.0% |
| Count | 15,364 | 15,364 | 0.0% |
| Per 100K | 5.21 | 5.21 | 0.0% |
Between the 2010 and 2010 Census, the number of Leone bearers went from 15,364 to 15,364 (+0.0% change). The surname held its position in the national ranking, going from #2,372 to #2,372.
Notable bearers
Famous people with the surname Leone
FAQ
Leone surname: questions and answers
How common is the last name Leone?
The surname Leone holds position #2,372 in the US Census Bureau's surname ranking, with an estimated 17,858 living bearers. It occurs at a rate of 5.21 per 100,000 Americans.
What is the ethnic background of the Leone surname?
Among Census respondents with the surname Leone, the largest self-reported group is White at 93.1%. The next largest groups are Hispanic (3.5%) and Black (1.2%). 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.