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

Paoni, 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 Paoni surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Paoni in America

Paoni is the 106570th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Paoni surname appeared 167 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 Paoni.

We can also compare 2010 data for Paoni 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 Paoni

The surname Paoni is believed to have originated in Italy, specifically in the Tuscany region. It is thought to be derived from the Italian word "pagone," which means "peacock." The earliest recorded instances of the name date back to the 13th century.

During the medieval period, the name Paoni was prevalent in the cities of Florence and Siena. It is believed that the name was initially given as a nickname or an occupational name to individuals who either bred or traded in peacocks. In those times, peacocks were highly prized for their beautiful feathers, which were used in various decorative arts and fashion.

One of the earliest documented references to the name Paoni can be found in the "Libro di Montaperti," a historical record of the famous Battle of Montaperti fought between the Guelphs and Ghibellines in 1260. The record mentions a certain "Paone di Firenze," who was a member of the Guelph forces from Florence.

In the 14th century, the Paoni family gained prominence in Siena, where they were involved in the wool trade and held influential positions within the city's government. One notable figure from this period was Niccolò Paoni (1320-1395), a respected merchant and diplomat who served as an ambassador for the Republic of Siena on several occasions.

Another noteworthy individual bearing the surname Paoni was Bartolomeo Paoni (1472-1539), a renowned Renaissance painter from Florence. His works can still be found in various churches and galleries throughout Italy, including the Basilica of Santa Croce in Florence, where his fresco depicting the "Adoration of the Magi" is a highlight.

In the 16th century, the Paoni family established itself in the city of Lucca, where they became influential members of the local nobility. One notable figure from this branch was Girolamo Paoni (1542-1617), a respected jurist and scholar who served as a professor of law at the University of Pisa.

During the 17th century, a branch of the Paoni family migrated to the island of Corsica, where they played a significant role in the island's history. One prominent member was Pasquale Paoni (1637-1716), a military leader who fought against the Genoese occupation of Corsica and was instrumental in the island's struggle for independence.

Over the centuries, the surname Paoni has spread across Italy and beyond, with various spellings and variations emerging, such as Paone, Pagone, and Pagoni. While the name may have lost its direct connection to peacocks, it remains a part of Italy's rich historical tapestry, reflecting the country's diverse cultural heritage.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Paoni

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

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

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

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