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

Marchese, 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 Marchese surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Marchese in America

Marchese is the 5229th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Marchese surname appeared 6,670 times in the 2010 census and if you were to sample 100,000 people in the United States, approximately 2 people would have the surname Marchese.

We can also compare 2010 data for Marchese 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 Marchese

The surname Marchese has its roots in the Italian language and can be traced back to the Middle Ages. It originated from the Italian word "marchese," which means "marquis" or "marquess," a noble title denoting a high-ranking nobleman who ruled over a specific territory called a march or marquisate.

During the Middle Ages, the title of marchese was bestowed upon those who held significant power and authority in the regions bordering other territories or kingdoms. These individuals were entrusted with defending and governing the border areas, serving as a buffer between rival powers.

The earliest known reference to the surname Marchese can be found in historical records from the 11th century in various parts of Italy, particularly in regions like Tuscany, Lombardy, and Piedmont. The name was initially associated with noble families who held the title of marchese or had close ties to those holding the title.

In the 13th century, the surname Marchese appeared in the renowned Codice Diplomatico della Lombardia, a collection of historical documents from the region of Lombardy. This record mentions several individuals bearing the surname, suggesting its widespread use among the nobility during that time.

One of the earliest recorded individuals with the surname Marchese was Guglielmo Marchese, a nobleman from Genoa who lived in the 12th century. He was known for his involvement in the city's maritime affairs and played a crucial role in the expansion of Genoa's naval power in the Mediterranean.

Another notable figure was Galeazzo Marchese, born in 1424 in Milan, who served as a military commander and diplomat under the Sforza dynasty. He was renowned for his strategic prowess and played a pivotal role in several battles during the Italian Wars of the 15th century.

In the 16th century, the Marchese family from Florence gained prominence, with members such as Vincenzo Marchese (1522-1591), a renowned Renaissance architect and sculptor. His works, including the Palazzo Marchese in Florence, exemplified the artistic and architectural brilliance of the era.

The surname Marchese also had a presence in the arts and literature, with the poet and playwright Antonio Marchese (1560-1637) from Naples, whose works were widely celebrated during the Baroque period.

Throughout the centuries, the name Marchese has been found in various forms and spellings, such as Marchesi, Marchesini, and Marchesani, reflecting regional variations and linguistic influences. Additionally, several place names in Italy, such as Marchese di Grottole and Marchese di Monferrato, were derived from the title and surname.

While the surname Marchese is no longer exclusively associated with nobility, it remains a testament to the rich history and cultural heritage of Italy, carrying the legacy of those who once held significant power and influence in the medieval and Renaissance periods.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Marchese

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

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

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

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