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

Media, 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 Media surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Media in America

Media is the 76029th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Media surname appeared 253 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 Media.

We can also compare 2010 data for Media 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 Media

The surname Media originates from Italy, with its roots tracing back to the medieval period, specifically the 12th century. It is believed to have derived from the Latin word "medius," meaning "middle" or "central." This suggests that the name was initially associated with individuals residing in the central or middle regions of a particular area or settlement.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the Media surname can be found in the Codice Diplomatico Longobardo, a collection of historical documents from the Lombard period in Italy, dating back to the 8th century. However, the earliest documented mention of the Media surname itself appears in the Florentine archives from the year 1198, referring to a certain Iacopo Media, a merchant from Florence.

During the Renaissance period, the Media surname gained prominence, particularly in the Italian city-states of Florence and Venice. Notable individuals bearing this surname include Antonio Maria Media, a renowned Renaissance painter and architect from Florence, who lived from 1455 to 1528. His contributions to the artistic and architectural landscape of the time were significant, with his works adorning various churches and palaces throughout Italy.

Another influential figure was Giovanni Battista Media, a Venetian diplomat and scholar who lived from 1520 to 1592. He served as an ambassador for the Republic of Venice and was highly regarded for his diplomatic skills and intellectual pursuits. His writings on political philosophy and international relations were widely studied during his time.

In the 17th century, the Media surname gained recognition in the literary world with the birth of Carlo Media (1615-1688), a celebrated Italian poet and playwright. His works, which often explored themes of love, tragedy, and human nature, were highly acclaimed and influenced the literary landscape of his era.

Moving forward to the 19th century, the Media surname gained prominence in the field of medicine with the contributions of Giuseppe Media (1829-1904), an Italian physician and pioneer in the study of infectious diseases. His research and findings played a crucial role in the understanding and treatment of various illnesses, earning him widespread recognition within the medical community.

Throughout its history, the Media surname has been associated with various place names and locations across Italy. For instance, the town of Mediglia, located near Milan, is believed to have derived its name from the Media family, who once held significant influence in the area. Additionally, the surname has been linked to the village of Mediano, situated in the Piedmont region of northern Italy, suggesting a potential connection to the origins of the name.

While the surname Media has its roots firmly planted in Italy, it has since spread to other parts of the world due to immigration and migration patterns. However, its rich historical significance and ties to the Italian Renaissance, diplomacy, literature, and medical advancements remain deeply ingrained in its legacy.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Media

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

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

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

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