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

Morinelli, 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 Morinelli surname is from the 2000 census data.

Popularity of Morinelli in America

Morinelli is the 132259th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Morinelli surname appeared 118 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 Morinelli.

The history of the last name Morinelli

The surname Morinelli finds its origins in Italy, specifically tied to the regions of Tuscany and Lombardy. The surname is believed to have emerged during the late Middle Ages, around the 14th to 15th centuries. It is considered to be a patronymic surname, derived from the root "Morino," which itself is a diminutive or affectionate form of the given name "Moro," meaning "Moor" or "dark-skinned" in Old Italian. The suffix "elli" is used to indicate a familial connection or lineage, thus Morinelli can be interpreted as "descendant of Morino."

Early records of the name Morinelli can be found in local church registries and baptismal records of the time. One of the earliest documented instances of the surname appears in a 1422 record from Siena, which indicates the presence of a Giovanni Morinelli, a small landowner and merchant. Giovanni's lineage demonstrates the association of the Morinelli family with regional trade and agriculture.

Historical references to the surname appear sporadically across different Italian city-states. In the mid-16th century, records from Milan cite the name Lorenzo Morinelli, who held a position of minor nobility, evidenced by a 1563 decree that granted him certain privileges within the Duchy of Milan. The existence of noble status among the Morinelli points to their prominence and influence during that era.

By the 17th century, Gasparo Morinelli emerges as a noteworthy figure. Born in 1602 in Florence, Gasparo was an accomplished sculptor whose works adorned several churches and public spaces in Tuscany. His contributions to the arts cemented the Morinelli name in cultural and historical contexts.

In the 18th century, yet another prominent individual bearing the surname is Pietro Morinelli, born in 1738 in Bologna. Pietro was an esteemed scholar and author, who published several insightful treatises on natural philosophy and early scientific methods. His intellectual endeavors were recognized by many of his contemporaries.

Moving forward to the 19th century, Maria Teresa Morinelli, born in 1827 in Venice, was a celebrated opera singer known for her captivating soprano voice. Her performances resonated across Italy and Europe, bringing further recognition to the Morinelli name in cultural circles.

These historical figures and records paint a rich tapestry of the Morinelli surname, reflecting its Italian heritage and the various fields in which individuals with this surname have left their mark. Through the centuries, the Morinelli family has contributed to commerce, the arts, nobility, and intellectual life, preserving a legacy that can still be appreciated today.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Morinelli

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

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

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

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