Mica
A surname deriving from a place name meaning "crumb" or "piece" in Italian.
According to the 2010 US Census Bureau surname tables, roughly 343 Americans carry the last name Mica. That puts it at #64,559 in the national surname ranking, appearing at a frequency of 0.10 per 100,000 people (about 1 in 999,284 residents).
This page is the full Name Census profile for the Mica surname. You will find the Census Bureau frequency data, an ancestry and ethnicity breakdown based on self-reported demographics, the name's meaning and origin where available, and answers to the most common questions people ask about this surname.
Bearers in the US
343
1 in 999,284
Census rank
#64,559
2010 decennial data
Per 100,000
0.1
Frequency rate
Recorded bearers
308
very rare in the US
Popularity narrative
The Census Bureau recorded 308 bearers of the surname Mica in its 2010 decennial surname file. At a rate of 0.10 per 100,000 residents, it holds the 64559th position in the national surname ranking.
Among Census respondents with the surname Mica, the largest self-reported group is White at 78.9%. The next largest groups are Hispanic (12.7%) and Black (4.5%).
Origin
Meaning and origin of Mica
The surname MICA is believed to have originated in Italy, specifically in the northern regions around the 15th century. It is derived from the Italian word "mica," which means small particle or flake, potentially referring to someone who worked with or dealt in mica, a type of mineral.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the MICA surname can be found in a document from the town of Bergamo, dated 1492, where a certain Giovanni MICA is mentioned as a resident. Another early reference is in a census record from the city of Milan in 1517, listing a family with the surname MICA.
In the 16th century, the name appears to have spread to other parts of Italy, with records showing families with the MICA surname residing in cities like Venice and Florence. One notable individual from this period was Francesco MICA (1501-1574), a merchant from Genoa who was involved in the silk trade with the Levant.
As the name continued to evolve, it also took on variations in spelling, such as Micca, Micche, and Micchi. These variations were likely influenced by regional dialects and local pronunciations.
In the 17th century, the MICA surname can be found in connection with several notable figures. One such individual was Giambattista MICA (1619-1692), a Jesuit scholar and writer from Piedmont who authored several works on theology and philosophy.
Another notable bearer of the MICA surname was Domenico MICA (1685-1758), a renowned painter from Naples who was known for his religious and mythological works. His paintings can be found in various churches and galleries throughout Italy.
Moving into the 18th century, the MICA surname gained prominence in the field of music. One example is Antonio MICA (1724-1792), a composer and violinist from Bologna who worked in various courts and opera houses across Europe.
In the 19th century, the MICA surname continued to be represented in various fields. One notable figure was Carlo MICA (1812-1887), an Italian politician and statesman who served as the Minister of Finance for the Kingdom of Italy in the 1860s.
Another significant individual from this period was Giuseppe MICA (1833-1903), an Italian botanist and entomologist who made significant contributions to the study of plant and insect life in the Mediterranean region.
Demographics
Ancestry and ethnicity for Mica
Among Census respondents with the surname Mica, the largest self-reported group is White at 78.9%. The next largest groups are Hispanic (12.7%) and Black (4.5%).
The bar chart below shows how Mica bearers described their own race and ethnicity on the 2010 Census form. The Census Bureau groups responses into six broad categories: White, Black or African American, Hispanic or Latino, Asian and Pacific Islander, American Indian and Alaska Native, and Two or More Races. When a category has too few respondents for a given surname, the Bureau suppresses the figure to protect individual privacy, which is why some names show fewer than six slices.
Keep in mind that these are self-reported numbers. A person's surname does not determine their race or ethnicity, and the distribution you see here reflects the specific population who happened to carry the Mica surname at the time of the 2010 Census, not any inherent property of the name itself.
- White78.9%
- Hispanic or Latino12.7%
- Black or African American4.5%
- Asian and Pacific Islander3.3%
- Unknown or suppressed0.6%
Year on year
2000 vs 2010 Census
How has the Mica surname changed between Census years? The chart shows bearer count side by side, and the table compares rank, count, and frequency.
Census year comparison
| Metric | 2000 | 2010 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rank | #63,812 | #64,559 | -1.2% |
| Count | 292 | 308 | 5.5% |
| Per 100K | 0.11 | 0.10 | -9.1% |
Between the 2000 and 2010 Census, the number of Mica bearers went from 292 to 308 (+5.5% change). The surname moved down 747 positions in the national ranking, going from #63,812 to #64,559.
Notable bearers
Famous people with the surname Mica
FAQ
Mica surname: questions and answers
How common is the last name Mica?
The surname Mica holds position #64,559 in the US Census Bureau's surname ranking, with an estimated 343 living bearers. It occurs at a rate of 0.10 per 100,000 Americans.
What is the ethnic background of the Mica surname?
Among Census respondents with the surname Mica, the largest self-reported group is White at 78.9%. The next largest groups are Hispanic (12.7%) and Black (4.5%). These figures come from the 2010 Census Bureau surname tables, based on how respondents described their own race and ethnicity.
Where does this surname data come from?
All surname statistics on Name Census are drawn from the US Census Bureau's decennial surname frequency tables. These tables list every surname that appeared 100 or more times in the 2010 Census, along with a frequency rate and self-reported demographic breakdown. You can read the full explanation on our methodology page.