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

Lita, 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 Lita surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Lita in America

Lita is the 64891st most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Lita surname appeared 306 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 Lita.

We can also compare 2010 data for Lita 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 Lita

The surname Lita is believed to have its origins in Italy, where it first emerged during the medieval period. It is thought to have derived from the Latin word "litus," meaning "shore" or "beach." This suggests that the name may have been associated with individuals who lived near the coastline or worked in maritime-related professions.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Lita can be traced back to the 13th century, when it appeared in various Italian manuscripts and records. In some of these documents, the name was spelled slightly differently, such as "Lyta" or "Litta." These variations likely stemmed from regional dialects and the scribes' individual preferences.

During the Renaissance period, the Lita surname gained prominence in certain regions of Italy, particularly in the northern regions of Lombardy and Veneto. It was during this time that several notable individuals bearing the Lita name emerged, including:

1. Agostino Lita (c. 1470-1535), a renowned sculptor from Padua, known for his work on the Basilica of St. Anthony in Padua.
2. Giovanni Lita (1532-1598), a Venetian merchant and diplomat who played a significant role in establishing trade relations between the Republic of Venice and the Ottoman Empire.

As the centuries passed, the Lita surname spread to other parts of Italy and beyond. In the 18th century, there was a notable Lita family in the city of Naples, with several members holding prominent positions in the local government and clergy.

1. Giuseppe Lita (1720-1790), a Neapolitan nobleman and magistrate who served as the Mayor of Naples from 1768 to 1772.
2. Antonio Lita (1755-1823), a Neapolitan priest and author who wrote extensively on theological subjects.

In more recent times, the Lita surname has been carried by individuals from various walks of life, including artists, writers, and academics. One notable figure was:

1. Maria Lita (1923-2010), an Italian-American painter and sculptor whose works were exhibited in galleries across Europe and the United States.

While the Lita surname may have originated in Italy, it has since spread to other parts of the world, with individuals bearing this name found in countries like Argentina, Brazil, and the United States. However, the legacy of the Lita name remains deeply rooted in its Italian heritage, offering a glimpse into the rich cultural and historical tapestry of the Mediterranean region.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Lita

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

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

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

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