Lito last name popularity, history, and meaning

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

Meaning of Lito

A Spanish surname derived from the Spanish name 'Lito', representing a diminutive version meaning 'small'.

Lito, 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 Lito surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Lito in America

Lito is the 143149th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Lito surname appeared 116 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 Lito.

The history of the last name Lito

The surname LITO originated in Italy, with early records dating back to the 12th century. The name is believed to be derived from the Latin word "litus," meaning "shore" or "beach," suggesting that the earliest bearers of this surname may have lived near the coast or worked in maritime occupations.

One of the earliest known references to the LITO surname can be found in a historical document from the city of Genoa, dated 1187. This record mentions a certain "Giovanni Lito," who was a merchant involved in the lucrative trade between Italy and the Mediterranean regions.

In the 13th century, the LITO family gained prominence in the region of Tuscany, particularly in the city of Florence. Records from this period show that a branch of the family owned several vineyards and olive groves in the surrounding countryside.

During the Renaissance era, the LITO name appeared in various artistic and literary circles. Notable figures included Antonio Lito (1515-1583), a renowned painter from Verona whose works adorned several churches and palaces throughout northern Italy.

The LITO surname also has a connection to the noble families of Sicily. In the 16th century, a prominent branch of the family settled in the city of Palermo, where they were granted land and titles by the ruling Spanish monarchy.

One of the most famous individuals with the LITO surname was Giuseppe Lito (1675-1747), a Sicilian architect and engineer who designed several churches, palaces, and public buildings in Palermo and other cities across the island.

In the 18th century, the LITO name appeared in the records of the Papal States, with a branch of the family residing in Rome. One notable figure from this period was Cardinal Girolamo Lito (1720-1797), who served as a papal diplomat and advisor to several popes.

Throughout its history, the LITO surname has maintained a strong presence in various regions of Italy, with branches of the family settling in cities such as Naples, Milan, and Venice. While the name may have evolved through different spellings and variations over the centuries, its Italian roots and coastal origins remain a defining aspect of its rich heritage.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Lito

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

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 Lito was:

Race/Ethnicity Percentage Total Occurrences
Non-Hispanic White Only 39.66% 46
Non-Hispanic Black Only (S)% (S)
Non-Hispanic Asian and Pacific Islander Only 11.21% 13
Non-Hispanic American Indian and Alaskan Native (S)% (S)
Non-Hispanic of Two or More Races 0.00% 0
Hispanic Origin 44.83% 52

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.

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

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

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