Pesci
A surname derived from the Italian word meaning "fish".
According to the 2010 US Census Bureau surname tables, roughly 446 Americans carry the last name Pesci. That puts it at #53,802 in the national surname ranking, appearing at a frequency of 0.13 per 100,000 people (about 1 in 768,507 residents).
This page is the full Name Census profile for the Pesci 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
446
1 in 768,507
Census rank
#53,802
2010 decennial data
Per 100,000
0.1
Frequency rate
Recorded bearers
384
very rare in the US
Popularity narrative
The Census Bureau recorded 384 bearers of the surname Pesci in its 2010 decennial surname file. At a rate of 0.13 per 100,000 residents, it holds the 53802nd position in the national surname ranking.
Among Census respondents with the surname Pesci, the largest self-reported group is White at 96.1%. The next largest groups are Hispanic (3.9%).
Origin
Meaning and origin of Pesci
The surname Pesci has its origins in Italy, with the earliest records dating back to the 13th century. It is believed to have derived from the Italian word "pesce," meaning "fish." This suggests that the name may have initially been given to someone who was a fisherman or lived near a body of water where fishing was a common occupation.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Pesci can be found in the records of the city of Genoa, where a family by the name of Pesci is mentioned in a document from the year 1275. This indicates that the name was already well-established in the region at that time.
In the 14th century, the name appears in several historical records from the city of Florence. One notable mention is in the archives of the Basilica di Santa Croce, where a certain Giovanni di Pesci is listed as a donor to the church in the year 1348.
As the centuries passed, the Pesci name spread to other parts of Italy, with various branches of the family establishing themselves in different regions. In the 16th century, a prominent figure named Giacomo Pesci (1523-1587) was a renowned painter from the city of Treviso, known for his religious works and frescoes adorning churches throughout the Veneto region.
Another notable individual with the surname Pesci was Benedetto Pesci (1675-1744), a Baroque architect from Rome who was responsible for the design of several churches and palaces in the city, including the Church of San Giovanni dei Fiorentini.
In the 19th century, a politician named Ugo Pesci (1833-1904) made his mark as a member of the Italian parliament and a vocal supporter of the unification of Italy. He was also a prolific writer and journalist, contributing to various publications throughout his career.
During the 20th century, the name Pesci gained international recognition through the actor Joe Pesci (born 1943), best known for his roles in films such as "Raging Bull," "Goodfellas," and "Casino." His portrayal of gritty and memorable characters has cemented his place in cinematic history.
While the origins of the Pesci surname can be traced back to medieval Italy, it has since been carried by individuals from various walks of life, including artists, architects, politicians, and entertainers, leaving an indelible mark on the cultural landscape of Italy and beyond.
Demographics
Ancestry and ethnicity for Pesci
Among Census respondents with the surname Pesci, the largest self-reported group is White at 96.1%. The next largest groups are Hispanic (3.9%).
The bar chart below shows how Pesci 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 Pesci surname at the time of the 2010 Census, not any inherent property of the name itself.
- White96.1%
- Hispanic or Latino3.9%
Year on year
2010 vs 2010 Census
How has the Pesci 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 | #53,802 | #53,802 | 0.0% |
| Count | 384 | 384 | 0.0% |
| Per 100K | 0.13 | 0.13 | 0.0% |
Between the 2010 and 2010 Census, the number of Pesci bearers went from 384 to 384 (+0.0% change). The surname held its position in the national ranking, going from #53,802 to #53,802.
Notable bearers
Famous people with the surname Pesci
FAQ
Pesci surname: questions and answers
How common is the last name Pesci?
The surname Pesci holds position #53,802 in the US Census Bureau's surname ranking, with an estimated 446 living bearers. It occurs at a rate of 0.13 per 100,000 Americans.
What is the ethnic background of the Pesci surname?
Among Census respondents with the surname Pesci, the largest self-reported group is White at 96.1%. The next largest groups are Hispanic (3.9%). 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.