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

Pesta, 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 Pesta surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Pesta in America

Pesta is the 27110th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Pesta surname appeared 893 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 Pesta.

We can also compare 2010 data for Pesta 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 Pesta

The surname PESTA has its origins in the Italian region of Piedmont, traced back to the 14th century. It is believed to be derived from the Latin word "pestis," meaning plague or pestilence. This connection suggests that the name may have been given to an individual who survived a deadly outbreak or lived in an area affected by disease.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the PESTA surname can be found in a medieval document from the city of Turin, dated 1375, which mentions a certain "Giovanni Pesta" as a landowner. This entry provides evidence of the name's existence during that period in the Piedmont region of northwestern Italy.

In the 15th century, the PESTA name appears in various records from the nearby towns of Asti and Alessandria, indicating its spread throughout the region. A notable figure from this time was Pietro PESTA (1427-1498), a respected physician who authored several treatises on the treatment of infectious diseases.

As the centuries passed, the PESTA surname continued to be associated with the medical profession. In the 17th century, a family of PESTA apothecaries established a successful business in the city of Genoa, with their remedies and elixirs gaining widespread renown.

One of the most prominent individuals bearing the PESTA name was Giulio PESTA (1789-1867), a renowned botanist and naturalist from Turin. He conducted extensive research on the flora of the Italian Alps and authored several influential works on the subject.

Another noteworthy figure was Maria PESTA (1835-1912), a pioneering educator from the town of Asti. She founded one of the first schools for girls in the region, advocating for equal educational opportunities for women during a time when such efforts were groundbreaking.

As the PESTA name spread beyond its Piedmontese origins, it found its way into other parts of Italy and even abroad. By the 19th century, records show individuals with the surname PESTA living in various regions of Italy, as well as in parts of France, Switzerland, and Argentina, where Italian immigrants had established communities.

While the PESTA surname may have originated from a connection to disease and pestilence, over the centuries, it has become associated with a diverse range of professions and accomplishments, reflecting the rich history and resilience of those who have carried this name through the ages.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Pesta

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

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

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

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