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

Perica, 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 Perica surname is from the 2000 census data.

Popularity of Perica in America

Perica is the 134929th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Perica surname appeared 115 times in the 2000 census and if you were to sample 100,000 people in the United States, approximately 0 people would have the surname Perica.

The history of the last name Perica

The surname Perica is of Croatian origin and dates back to at least the Middle Ages. It is most commonly associated with the Dalmatian region of Croatia, an area known for its unique blend of Slavic, Roman, and Byzantine influences. Historically, this region was part of the Republic of Venice and later the Austro-Hungarian Empire, before becoming part of modern-day Croatia.

The name Perica is derived from the given name Petar, which is the Croatian form of Peter, itself originating from the Greek name Petros, meaning "rock" or "stone." The diminutive form Petaritsa or Perica was commonly used in Southern Slavic regions, transforming into a hereditary surname over time. Variations in spelling, including Peritza and Peritza, can be found in old records, reflecting the phonetic interpretations of the time.

In the oldest records, the surname Perica appears in church books and tax registries from the 16th and 17th centuries. Notable early references include a 1641 mention of one Jakov Perica in the parish records of Split, indicating the widespread use of the name by this period. Additionally, families with this surname were listed in Venetian census records from the 17th century, underscoring the prominence of the name in Dalmatian coastal towns.

One of the earliest notable bearers of the surname was Ivan Perica, born in 1715 in Dubrovnik. Ivan was a merchant and played a significant role in maritime trade between Dubrovnik and Venice. Another early figure was Luka Perica, born in 1760, who became an influential member of the Dubrovnik Republic's council, contributing to its governance until his death in 1820.

In the 19th century, Mate Perica, born in 1825 in Zadar, achieved recognition as a writer and educator. He published several works on Croatian history and greatly influenced the cultural landscape of his region until his death in 1895. Around the same period, Nikola Perica of Šibenik, born in 1856, became a well-known artist whose paintings depicted the natural beauty and daily life of the Dalmatian region, leaving a lasting legacy in the Croatian art scene.

Not to be overlooked is Ante Perica, born 1888, a Croatian soldier who served in the Austro-Hungarian army during World War I. His bravery and strategic acumen earned him accolades, and his name is remembered in several military accounts and archives from this era.

The surname Perica carries a rich historical significance, interweaving the cultural heritage of the Dalmatian region with the broader tapestry of Croatian and European history. Its etymology points to the deep religious and cultural roots of the region, while its bearers have left indelible marks in various fields over the centuries.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Perica

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

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 2000 census data, the race/ethnic origin breakdown for Perica 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 Perica was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

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

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