Pelosi
An Italian surname derived from the words "pelo" and "oso", meaning hairy or shaggy.
According to the 2010 US Census Bureau surname tables, roughly 1,508 Americans carry the last name Pelosi. That puts it at #20,309 in the national surname ranking, appearing at a frequency of 0.44 per 100,000 people (about 1 in 227,291 residents).
This page is the full Name Census profile for the Pelosi surname. You will find the Census Bureau frequency data, an ancestry and ethnicity breakdown based on self-reported demographics, the name's meaning and origin where available, and answers to the most common questions people ask about this surname.
Bearers in the US
1.5K
1 in 227,291
Census rank
#20,309
2010 decennial data
Per 100,000
0.4
Frequency rate
Recorded bearers
1.3K
rare in the US
Popularity narrative
The Census Bureau recorded 1,309 bearers of the surname Pelosi in its 2010 decennial surname file. At a rate of 0.44 per 100,000 residents, it holds the 20309th position in the national surname ranking.
Among Census respondents with the surname Pelosi, the largest self-reported group is White at 93.3%. The next largest groups are Hispanic (3.3%) and Two or More Races (1.5%).
Origin
Meaning and origin of Pelosi
The surname Pelosi has its origins in Italy, with records dating back to the 14th century. It is believed to have derived from the Italian word "pelo," meaning hair. This suggests that the name may have initially been a descriptive nickname for someone with a distinctive hairstyle or a surname related to an occupation involving hair or fur.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the name can be found in the archives of the Republic of Venice, where a certain Giovanni Pelosi is mentioned in a document from 1384. Another early reference is found in the town of Assisi, where a family by the name of Pelosi is recorded as residing in the 15th century.
The name Pelosi is particularly prevalent in the regions of Umbria and Marche, indicating that these areas may have been the original birthplaces of the surname. In Umbria, the town of Perugia has a long-standing connection with the Pelosi family, with several prominent individuals bearing this surname throughout history.
One notable figure from the 16th century was Pietro Pelosi (1510-1592), a renowned painter and architect from Perugia. His works adorned several churches and palaces in the region, and he is widely recognized for his contributions to the Renaissance art movement in Italy.
Another distinguished individual was Girolamo Pelosi (1674-1744), a Jesuit priest and mathematician from the town of Foligno in Umbria. He gained recognition for his work in the field of astronomy and for his writings on religious subjects.
In the 18th century, the Pelosi family gained prominence in the town of Montefalco, Umbria, where a branch of the family established itself as landowners and influential citizens. One member, Giuseppe Pelosi (1732-1810), served as the mayor of Montefalco and played a significant role in the town's development during his tenure.
The 19th century saw the migration of many Pelosi families to other parts of Italy and beyond. Notably, Francesco Pelosi (1836-1916), a native of Marche, immigrated to the United States and settled in California, where he became a successful businessman and landowner.
Throughout the centuries, the Pelosi name has been associated with various occupations, including artisans, merchants, and professionals. While the name has maintained its Italian roots, it has also spread to other parts of the world through migration and cultural exchange.
Demographics
Ancestry and ethnicity for Pelosi
Among Census respondents with the surname Pelosi, the largest self-reported group is White at 93.3%. The next largest groups are Hispanic (3.3%) and Two or More Races (1.5%).
The bar chart below shows how Pelosi bearers described their own race and ethnicity on the 2010 Census form. The Census Bureau groups responses into six broad categories: White, Black or African American, Hispanic or Latino, Asian and Pacific Islander, American Indian and Alaska Native, and Two or More Races. When a category has too few respondents for a given surname, the Bureau suppresses the figure to protect individual privacy, which is why some names show fewer than six slices.
Keep in mind that these are self-reported numbers. A person's surname does not determine their race or ethnicity, and the distribution you see here reflects the specific population who happened to carry the Pelosi surname at the time of the 2010 Census, not any inherent property of the name itself.
- White93.3%
- Hispanic or Latino3.3%
- Two or more races1.5%
- Black or African American1.1%
- Asian and Pacific Islander0.4%
- American Indian and Alaska Native0.4%
Year on year
2010 vs 2010 Census
How has the Pelosi surname changed between Census years? The chart shows bearer count side by side, and the table compares rank, count, and frequency.
Census year comparison
| Metric | 2010 | 2010 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rank | #20,309 | #20,309 | 0.0% |
| Count | 1,309 | 1,309 | 0.0% |
| Per 100K | 0.44 | 0.44 | 0.0% |
Between the 2010 and 2010 Census, the number of Pelosi bearers went from 1,309 to 1,309 (+0.0% change). The surname held its position in the national ranking, going from #20,309 to #20,309.
Notable bearers
Famous people with the surname Pelosi
FAQ
Pelosi surname: questions and answers
How common is the last name Pelosi?
The surname Pelosi holds position #20,309 in the US Census Bureau's surname ranking, with an estimated 1,508 living bearers. It occurs at a rate of 0.44 per 100,000 Americans.
What is the ethnic background of the Pelosi surname?
Among Census respondents with the surname Pelosi, the largest self-reported group is White at 93.3%. The next largest groups are Hispanic (3.3%) and Two or More Races (1.5%). These figures come from the 2010 Census Bureau surname tables, based on how respondents described their own race and ethnicity.
Where does this surname data come from?
All surname statistics on Name Census are drawn from the US Census Bureau's decennial surname frequency tables. These tables list every surname that appeared 100 or more times in the 2010 Census, along with a frequency rate and self-reported demographic breakdown. You can read the full explanation on our methodology page.