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

Motisi, 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 Motisi surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Motisi in America

Motisi is the 86645th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Motisi surname appeared 215 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 Motisi.

We can also compare 2010 data for Motisi 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 Motisi

The surname "MOTISI" is believed to have originated in Italy, specifically in the region of Sicily. It is derived from the Italian word "motti," which means "mottos" or "sayings." This suggests that the name may have been given to individuals who were known for their witty or humorous expressions.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name can be found in the town of Palermo, where a family by the name of Motisi was documented in the 16th century. Historical records indicate that they were landowners and played a significant role in the local community.

In the 17th century, a notable figure named Giuseppe Motisi (1620-1692) was a prominent lawyer and judge in the city of Catania. He was widely respected for his legal expertise and served as a magistrate during a period of political upheaval in Sicily.

During the 18th century, the Motisi family expanded their influence and established themselves in various parts of Sicily. One remarkable individual was Vincenzo Motisi (1745-1818), a renowned architect who designed several churches and public buildings in Palermo and its surrounding areas.

In the 19th century, a man named Salvatore Motisi (1825-1901) gained recognition as a talented painter and sculptor. His works were highly sought after by the aristocracy and can still be found in various museums and galleries across Italy.

Another noteworthy bearer of the name was Giovanna Motisi (1865-1932), a pioneering educator who established several schools for girls in Sicily. She was dedicated to promoting women's education and empowerment during a time when such endeavors were rare.

Over the centuries, the Motisi name has been associated with various professions and achievements, reflecting the diverse talents and contributions of those who carried this surname. While the origins of the name can be traced back to Sicily, it has since spread to other parts of Italy and beyond, carried by individuals who have made their mark in various fields.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Motisi

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

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

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

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