Liotta
An Italian surname derived from the Latin name Liutius.
According to the 2010 US Census Bureau surname tables, roughly 1,645 Americans carry the last name Liotta. That puts it at #19,266 in the national surname ranking, appearing at a frequency of 0.48 per 100,000 people (about 1 in 208,361 residents).
This page is the full Name Census profile for the Liotta 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
1.6K
1 in 208,361
Census rank
#19,266
2010 decennial data
Per 100,000
0.5
Frequency rate
Recorded bearers
1.4K
rare in the US
Popularity narrative
The Census Bureau recorded 1,407 bearers of the surname Liotta in its 2010 decennial surname file. At a rate of 0.48 per 100,000 residents, it holds the 19266th position in the national surname ranking.
Among Census respondents with the surname Liotta, the largest self-reported group is White at 94.0%. The next largest groups are Hispanic (3.2%) and Two or More Races (1.4%).
Origin
Meaning and origin of Liotta
The surname Liotta originated in Italy, specifically in the region of Sicily. It dates back to the medieval period and is believed to have derived from the Italian word "liotta," which means "riot" or "tumult." This suggests that the name may have been initially given as a nickname to someone who was known for their boisterous or unruly behavior.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the name can be found in the Sicilian town of Sciacca, where a family bearing the name Liotta is mentioned in historical documents from the 13th century. The name may have also been influenced by the Sicilian word "liotta," which referred to a type of fishing net, indicating that some early bearers of the name may have been involved in the fishing industry.
In the 14th century, a notable figure named Bartolomeo Liotta was a prominent merchant and landowner in the city of Palermo. His descendants continued to play an influential role in Sicilian affairs for several generations.
During the Renaissance period, the name appears in various records and manuscripts from across Italy. For example, in the 16th century, a scholar named Giovanni Liotta authored several treatises on philosophy and theology, which were widely read and debated in academic circles at the time.
Another notable individual with the surname Liotta was Vincenzo Liotta, a sculptor and architect who lived in the 17th century. He was renowned for his intricate and ornate works, many of which can still be seen adorning churches and public buildings throughout Sicily.
In the 19th century, the name gained further prominence with the birth of Pasquale Liotta (1836-1908), a celebrated Sicilian painter known for his vivid depictions of everyday life and landscapes. His works are now held in several prestigious art collections across Italy and Europe.
As the name spread beyond its Sicilian origins, it also took on various spellings and variations, such as Lioto, Liotta-Musso, and Liottu. However, the core meaning and heritage of the name remained rooted in its Italian and specifically Sicilian origins.
Demographics
Ancestry and ethnicity for Liotta
Among Census respondents with the surname Liotta, the largest self-reported group is White at 94.0%. The next largest groups are Hispanic (3.2%) and Two or More Races (1.4%).
The bar chart below shows how Liotta 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 Liotta surname at the time of the 2010 Census, not any inherent property of the name itself.
- White94.0%
- Hispanic or Latino3.2%
- Two or more races1.4%
- Unknown or suppressed0.7%
- Asian and Pacific Islander0.7%
Year on year
2000 vs 2010 Census
How has the Liotta 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 | 2000 | 2010 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rank | #18,389 | #19,266 | -4.8% |
| Count | 1,388 | 1,407 | 1.4% |
| Per 100K | 0.51 | 0.48 | -5.9% |
Between the 2000 and 2010 Census, the number of Liotta bearers went from 1,388 to 1,407 (+1.4% change). The surname moved down 877 positions in the national ranking, going from #18,389 to #19,266.
Notable bearers
Famous people with the surname Liotta
FAQ
Liotta surname: questions and answers
How common is the last name Liotta?
The surname Liotta holds position #19,266 in the US Census Bureau's surname ranking, with an estimated 1,645 living bearers. It occurs at a rate of 0.48 per 100,000 Americans.
What is the ethnic background of the Liotta surname?
Among Census respondents with the surname Liotta, the largest self-reported group is White at 94.0%. The next largest groups are Hispanic (3.2%) and Two or More Races (1.4%). 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.