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

Mari, 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 Mari surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Mari in America

Mari is the 18043rd most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Mari surname appeared 1,546 times in the 2010 census and if you were to sample 100,000 people in the United States, approximately 1 people would have the surname Mari.

We can also compare 2010 data for Mari 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 Mari

The surname MARI has its origins in Italy, tracing back to the late Middle Ages. It is believed to have derived from the Latin word "mare," meaning "sea." This suggests that the name may have been given to those who lived near the coastline or worked in maritime professions.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the MARI surname can be found in a document from the city of Genoa, dated 1376. This document mentions a certain "Nicolo Mari," who was likely a merchant or sailor engaged in the thriving maritime trade of the time.

In the 15th century, the MARI name appeared in various records from the Italian regions of Liguria and Tuscany. For instance, a 1492 census in Pisa listed several families with the surname MARI, indicating their presence in the city.

During the Renaissance period, the MARI surname gained prominence with the rise of notable individuals bearing this name. One such figure was Battista Mari, a renowned painter from the Republic of Venice, who lived from around 1505 to 1572. His works adorned several churches and palaces in Venice, showcasing the artistic talent associated with this surname.

Another prominent MARI was Girolamo Mari, a Venetian diplomat and writer who lived from 1536 to 1600. He served as an ambassador for the Republic of Venice and authored several treatises on politics and statecraft, reflecting the intellectual prowess of those carrying this surname.

In the 17th century, the MARI name found its way into the records of the Italian city-state of Genoa. A merchant family by the name of MARI was involved in the lucrative trade of silk and spices, contributing to the economic prosperity of the region.

As the centuries passed, the MARI surname spread across Italy and beyond. Ettore Mari, born in 1875 in Tuscany, was a prominent Italian politician and statesman who served as a minister in the early 20th century.

Throughout history, the MARI surname has been associated with diverse professions and achievements, from artists and diplomats to merchants and statesmen. Its origins rooted in the maritime heritage of Italy continue to resonate with the enduring legacy of this surname.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Mari

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

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

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

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