Leoni
Derived from Italian "leone" meaning lion or from a place name in Italy.
According to the 2010 US Census Bureau surname tables, roughly 1,268 Americans carry the last name Leoni. That puts it at #23,472 in the national surname ranking, appearing at a frequency of 0.37 per 100,000 people (about 1 in 270,311 residents).
This page is the full Name Census profile for the Leoni 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 270,311
Census rank
#23,472
2010 decennial data
Per 100,000
0.4
Frequency rate
Recorded bearers
1.1K
rare in the US
Popularity narrative
The Census Bureau recorded 1,083 bearers of the surname Leoni in its 2010 decennial surname file. At a rate of 0.37 per 100,000 residents, it holds the 23472nd position in the national surname ranking.
Among Census respondents with the surname Leoni, the largest self-reported group is White at 89.2%. The next largest groups are Hispanic (7.8%) and Asian/Pacific Islander (2.1%).
Origin
Meaning and origin of Leoni
The surname LEONI is of Italian origin, derived from the Italian word "leone" meaning "lion." It first emerged during the medieval period in various regions of Italy, particularly in the northern regions of Lombardy and Veneto.
The name was likely initially used as a nickname or descriptive surname, given to individuals who displayed lion-like characteristics such as strength, courage, or a fierce demeanor. In some cases, it may have been bestowed upon families whose coats of arms featured a lion or who lived near an area associated with lions.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the surname LEONI can be found in the "Codice Diplomatico Longobardo," a compilation of documents from the Lombard period in Italy, dating back to the 8th century. The name appears in various forms, including "Leoni," "Leonius," and "de Leone."
During the Renaissance period, several notable individuals bore the surname LEONI. Among them was Leone Leoni (1509-1590), a renowned Italian sculptor and medalist who worked for the Papal court and the Medici family in Florence. Another prominent figure was Giacomo Leoni (1686-1746), an Italian architect and author who played a significant role in introducing the Palladian style of architecture to England.
In the 18th century, the LEONI name gained recognition through the works of Giovanni Battista Leoni (1686-1746), an Italian architect and engineer who designed several important buildings in Venice, including the Church of San Stae.
Moving forward in time, the 19th century saw the birth of Adolfo Leoni (1838-1916), an Italian painter and sculptor known for his religious and historical works, as well as his contributions to the decorative arts.
Another notable bearer of the surname LEONI was Giuseppe Leoni (1834-1908), an Italian politician and statesman who served as the Prime Minister of Italy from 1908 to 1909.
While the surname LEONI has its roots in Italy, it has since spread to various parts of the world due to migration and intermarriage. However, its origins and historical significance remain firmly rooted in the Italian peninsula, where it has been a part of the cultural tapestry for centuries.
Demographics
Ancestry and ethnicity for Leoni
Among Census respondents with the surname Leoni, the largest self-reported group is White at 89.2%. The next largest groups are Hispanic (7.8%) and Asian/Pacific Islander (2.1%).
The bar chart below shows how Leoni 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 Leoni surname at the time of the 2010 Census, not any inherent property of the name itself.
- White89.2%
- Hispanic or Latino7.8%
- Asian and Pacific Islander2.1%
- Two or more races0.7%
Year on year
2010 vs 2010 Census
How has the Leoni 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 | #23,472 | #23,472 | 0.0% |
| Count | 1,083 | 1,083 | 0.0% |
| Per 100K | 0.37 | 0.37 | 0.0% |
Between the 2010 and 2010 Census, the number of Leoni bearers went from 1,083 to 1,083 (+0.0% change). The surname held its position in the national ranking, going from #23,472 to #23,472.
Notable bearers
Famous people with the surname Leoni
FAQ
Leoni surname: questions and answers
How common is the last name Leoni?
The surname Leoni holds position #23,472 in the US Census Bureau's surname ranking, with an estimated 1,268 living bearers. It occurs at a rate of 0.37 per 100,000 Americans.
What is the ethnic background of the Leoni surname?
Among Census respondents with the surname Leoni, the largest self-reported group is White at 89.2%. The next largest groups are Hispanic (7.8%) and Asian/Pacific Islander (2.1%). 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.