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

Massagli, 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 Massagli surname is from the 2000 census data.

Popularity of Massagli in America

Massagli is the 140756th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Massagli surname appeared 109 times in the 2000 census and if you were to sample 100,000 people in the United States, approximately 0 people would have the surname Massagli.

The history of the last name Massagli

The surname Massagli has its origins in Italy, primarily emerging from the Tuscany region, rich in history and medieval culture. The earliest references suggest that the name has been present since at least the 14th century, with deep roots in the Italian language and regional dialects. Tuscany, particularly the areas around Lucca and Florence, was a fertile ground for the surname's development.

Massagli appears to derive from the term "massajo" or "massaro," which in medieval Italian referred to a farm manager or steward responsible for overseeing agricultural activities. The connection suggests that the bearers of the name were likely involved in agrarian management or had significant roles in rural economies. Middle Ages Italy had a robust system of land management, and surnames often emerged from occupational titles or the roles people played in their communities.

Historical documentation in the form of ecclesiastical records and land deeds from the 15th century includes variants of the surname Massagli. One documented instance in the Vatican archives mentions a Giovanni Massagli, born in 1452, who acted as a steward on an estate near Lucca. Similarly, a legal document from 1524 references a Pietro Massagli in Florence, further anchoring the surname in this region of Italy.

By the 17th century, the Massagli family had gained prominence in Lucca, with several members involved in the growing silk trade, which was essential to the Lucca economy at the time. A notable figure during this period was Antonio Massagli, born in 1603, who became a successful silk merchant and contributed to various civic projects within the city.

In the 18th century, the surname appeared in academic circles. A notable example is Francesco Massagli (1721-1790), who was a respected scholar and professor at the University of Florence. His contributions to the humanities and his works on Renaissance literature cemented his place in Italian intellectual history.

Fast forward to the 19th century, Massagli families continued to be part of Italy's socio-economic fabric. Luigi Massagli, born in 1825, was a notable political figure and a member of the Italian unification movement. His efforts were instrumental in the socio-political upheaval leading to the formation of the modern Italian state.

The legacy of the surname Massagli can also be traced to artistic endeavors. Alfredo Massagli (1876-1952), a renowned painter from Lucca, gained recognition for his landscape paintings that captured the Tuscan countryside's beauty and tranquility.

The surname Massagli, with its rich historical tapestry woven across centuries, remains a testament to the enduring legacy of Italian heritage and the significant roles its bearers have played in various societal facets.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Massagli

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

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 2000 census data, the race/ethnic origin breakdown for Massagli 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.

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

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

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