Lisi
A surname derived from the Italian city of Lisi, possibly indicating the place of origin.
According to the 2010 US Census Bureau surname tables, roughly 2,228 Americans carry the last name Lisi. That puts it at #15,355 in the national surname ranking, appearing at a frequency of 0.65 per 100,000 people (about 1 in 153,839 residents).
This page is the full Name Census profile for the Lisi 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
2.2K
1 in 153,839
Census rank
#15,355
2010 decennial data
Per 100,000
0.7
Frequency rate
Recorded bearers
1.9K
rare in the US
Popularity narrative
The Census Bureau recorded 1,910 bearers of the surname Lisi in its 2010 decennial surname file. At a rate of 0.65 per 100,000 residents, it holds the 15355th position in the national surname ranking.
Among Census respondents with the surname Lisi, the largest self-reported group is White at 96.5%. The next largest groups are Hispanic (1.7%) and Two or More Races (1.1%).
Origin
Meaning and origin of Lisi
The surname LISI is of Italian origin, originating from the region of Tuscany in central Italy. It is believed to have emerged sometime during the medieval period, likely between the 11th and 13th centuries. The name is derived from the Italian word "liso," which means "smooth" or "flat," potentially referring to a physical characteristic or a geographical feature associated with the name's early bearers.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the LISI name can be found in a document from the city of Florence, dated around 1260. This document mentions a certain "Guido Lisi," who was a merchant and landowner in the area. Another notable early reference is found in a 14th-century manuscript from the town of Siena, which records a "Bartolomeo Lisi" as a prominent citizen and member of the local guild.
The LISI name also appears in several historical records from the Renaissance period, such as the writings of the renowned Italian poet Dante Alighieri (1265-1321). In his famous work, "The Divine Comedy," Dante mentions a character named "Lisi" who is said to have been a member of the Florentine noble family of Cavalcanti.
Throughout the centuries, the LISI surname has been associated with several notable individuals. One prominent example is the Italian sculptor and architect Tommaso Lisi (1645-1722), who was responsible for designing several churches and public buildings in Rome and Naples. Another notable figure is the 18th-century Italian painter Gian Antonio Lisi (1701-1784), whose works can be found in various museums and galleries across Italy.
In the 19th century, the LISI name gained further recognition with the birth of the Italian mathematician and engineer Galileo Lisi (1835-1909), who made significant contributions to the field of mechanics and the study of elasticity. Additionally, the Italian botanist and horticulturist Emilio Lisi (1858-1927) is remembered for his extensive research on plant species and his contributions to the development of modern horticulture.
The LISI surname has also been linked to various place names and geographical locations within Italy, such as the town of Lisi in the province of Treviso, Veneto, and the village of Lisi in the province of Pistoia, Tuscany. These place names may have influenced the spelling and pronunciation of the surname over time.
Demographics
Ancestry and ethnicity for Lisi
Among Census respondents with the surname Lisi, the largest self-reported group is White at 96.5%. The next largest groups are Hispanic (1.7%) and Two or More Races (1.1%).
The bar chart below shows how Lisi 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 Lisi surname at the time of the 2010 Census, not any inherent property of the name itself.
- White96.5%
- Hispanic or Latino1.7%
- Two or more races1.1%
- Asian and Pacific Islander0.5%
- Black or African American0.3%
Year on year
2000 vs 2010 Census
How has the Lisi 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 | #14,724 | #15,355 | -4.3% |
| Count | 1,850 | 1,910 | 3.2% |
| Per 100K | 0.69 | 0.65 | -5.8% |
Between the 2000 and 2010 Census, the number of Lisi bearers went from 1,850 to 1,910 (+3.2% change). The surname moved down 631 positions in the national ranking, going from #14,724 to #15,355.
Notable bearers
Famous people with the surname Lisi
FAQ
Lisi surname: questions and answers
How common is the last name Lisi?
The surname Lisi holds position #15,355 in the US Census Bureau's surname ranking, with an estimated 2,228 living bearers. It occurs at a rate of 0.65 per 100,000 Americans.
What is the ethnic background of the Lisi surname?
Among Census respondents with the surname Lisi, the largest self-reported group is White at 96.5%. The next largest groups are Hispanic (1.7%) and Two or More Races (1.1%). 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.