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

Onia, 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 Onia surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Onia in America

Onia is the 150452nd most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Onia surname appeared 109 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 Onia.

The history of the last name Onia

The surname Onia has its roots in the Mediterranean region, specifically Greece and the surrounding areas. It is believed to have originated from the ancient Greek word "onos," which means "donkey." The name likely referred to someone who worked with donkeys or lived near a place associated with these animals.

One of the earliest records of the name Onia can be found in the Byzantine Empire, where it appeared in official documents and manuscripts dating back to the 9th century. During this period, the name was often spelled as "Onias" or "Oneia," reflecting the variations in spelling that were common at the time.

In the 11th century, the name Onia appeared in the Domesday Book, a comprehensive survey of land ownership in England commissioned by William the Conqueror. This suggests that individuals with this surname had migrated from the Mediterranean region to England, likely as part of the Norman conquest.

One notable figure with the surname Onia was Simon Onias II, a high priest in Jerusalem during the 3rd century BCE. He is mentioned in the Book of Sirach, part of the Apocrypha, and was known for his efforts in fortifying the city and promoting religious observance.

Another prominent individual bearing the name Onia was Onias III, a high priest in Jerusalem during the 2nd century BCE. He was involved in conflicts with the Seleucid Empire and was eventually forced into exile in Egypt, where he established a Jewish temple in Leontopolis.

In the 15th century, a family with the surname Onia was recorded in the city of Venice, Italy. This branch of the Onia family was involved in maritime trade and is said to have played a role in the establishment of the Venetian Republic's naval power.

During the Renaissance period, a painter named Giovanni Andrea Onia (c. 1490-1555) gained recognition for his frescoes and altarpieces in churches throughout northern Italy. His works can be found in cities such as Verona and Mantua, and he is considered one of the notable artists of the Venetian school.

In more recent history, Constantinos Onia (1884-1962) was a Greek politician and diplomat who served as the Minister of Foreign Affairs for Greece in the 1940s. He was instrumental in shaping Greece's foreign policy during and after World War II.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Onia

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

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

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

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