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

Neapolitan, 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 Neapolitan surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Neapolitan in America

Neapolitan is the 148347th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Neapolitan surname appeared 111 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 Neapolitan.

We can also compare 2010 data for Neapolitan 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 Neapolitan

The surname Neapolitan originates from Italy, specifically the city of Naples (Napoli in Italian). It emerged in the Middle Ages, derived from the Latin word "Neapolitanus," which means "from Naples."

This surname was most prevalent in the region surrounding Naples, located in the Campania region of southern Italy. The earliest records of the name date back to the 12th century, with mentions in various municipal documents and records of the Neapolitan Kingdom.

One of the earliest known bearers of the surname was Goffredo Neapolitan, a nobleman who lived in the late 12th century and was a prominent figure in the court of King Roger II of Sicily. He is mentioned in several chronicles and historical accounts from that time.

In the 14th century, the Neapolitan family gained prominence in the city of Naples, with members holding influential positions in the local government and clergy. Notably, Giacomo Neapolitan (1300-1367) served as the Archbishop of Naples from 1349 until his death.

During the Renaissance period, the Neapolitan surname was associated with several notable artists and intellectuals. Leonardo Neapolitan (1457-1531) was a renowned sculptor and architect who contributed to the design of several churches and palaces in Naples.

Another famous bearer of the name was Giambattista Neapolitan (1548-1608), a philosopher and mathematician who made significant contributions to the study of optics and mechanics. His works were widely read and influential in the scientific community of the time.

In the 18th century, the name Neapolitan gained recognition beyond Italy due to the culinary delights associated with the city of Naples. The term "Neapolitan" became synonymous with a distinct style of cuisine and desserts, such as the famous Neapolitan ice cream.

Other notable individuals with the surname Neapolitan include Enrico Neapolitan (1820-1892), a renowned painter and art critic who played a significant role in the development of the Neapolitan School of Painting, and Maria Neapolitan (1876-1944), a celebrated opera singer who performed in major opera houses across Europe.

Throughout its history, the surname Neapolitan has been closely tied to the city of Naples, reflecting the rich cultural heritage and artistic traditions of this iconic Italian city. While its origins can be traced back to the Middle Ages, the name continues to be associated with the vibrant Neapolitan lifestyle and traditions.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Neapolitan

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

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

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

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