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

Moría, 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 Moría surname is from the 2000 census data.

Popularity of Moría in America

Moría is the 127948th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Moría surname appeared 123 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 Moría.

The history of the last name Moría

The surname Moria traces its origins to the European continent, specifically within Italy. It first emerges in historical records around the late Middle Ages, roughly during the 13th century. The name appears to be localized primarily to regions like Lombardy and Veneto, which were significant cultural and economic hubs of medieval Italy.

The etymology of Moria is not definitively established but is believed to be derived from Latin or Old Italian roots. One theory suggests a connection to the Latin word "morio," meaning "fool" or "simpleton," though this theory is less favored because surnames often derive from more prestigious roots. Another possibility is the association with the Latin "mora," meaning "delay," which might have been a descriptive nickname.

The first documented instance of the surname Moria is in a manuscript dating back to 1234, held in the archives of the city of Venice. The manuscript alludes to a certain Giovanni Moria, who was a merchant involved in the spice trade. Given the economic importance of Venice during this period, it is reasonable to surmise that the Moria family were of some social standing.

Over the centuries, the surname appears intermittently in various records. A notable instance includes Beatrice Moria, who was listed in a 1462 tax roll in Milan. This record positions the Moria family among the urban dwellers of the burgeoning Renaissance city, hinting that they might have had some involvement in the burgeoning trade or artisanal sectors of Milan.

An interesting historical figure is Francesco Moria, a 16th-century scholar who became known for his critical translations of classical texts. Born in 1532 and dying in 1598, Francesco contributed significantly to the Italian Renaissance humanism movement. His works are still referenced in the study of humanistic literature.

In the early 17th century, records show a migration of several Moria family members to the Iberian Peninsula. A noteworthy person during this period is Isabella Moria, born in 1610 in Barcelona. Isabella was a known patron of the arts and significantly supported the early baroque art scene in Catalonia.

By the 18th century, the name had spread to other parts of Europe. Documentation shows that Peter Moria, a tailor by profession, settled in Amsterdam in 1743. This period saw an influx of skilled labor from Southern to Northern Europe, possibly indicating the Moria family's adaptability and mobility.

The surname also appears in various older place names and spellings. For example, there is a tiny hamlet called "Moria" near Genoa, first recorded in a 17th-century cartographer’s notes as "Moria Alta." This locale was likely named after a family that resided there, following the common medieval practice of naming places after influential local families.

Fascinatingly, the surname has made some notable appearances in historical texts. For example, a 1723 ship manifest lists an Antonio Moria as a crew member of a merchant vessel traveling from Genoa to Lisbon, highlighting the seafaring activities associated with the name.

In conclusion, the surname Moria presents a rich tapestry of historical references, tracing its lineage through the heartlands of Italy and spreading across Europe. With each recorded instance, a clearer picture of the family's socio-economic ascent and sprawling geographical reach comes to light.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Moría

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

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

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

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