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

Potito, 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 Potito surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Potito in America

Potito is the 149395th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Potito surname appeared 110 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 Potito.

We can also compare 2010 data for Potito 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 Potito

The surname "POTITO" is believed to have originated in Italy, specifically in the regions of Campania and Lazio, during the Middle Ages. It is thought to be derived from the Italian word "potito," which means "small" or "little," likely referring to a person's physical stature or perhaps their position within a family or community.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name "POTITO" can be found in the Codex Diplomaticus Cavensis, a collection of medieval documents from the Monastery of Cava dei Tirreni in Campania, dating back to the 11th century. The name appears in various spellings, such as "Potitus" and "Putitus," suggesting its evolution over time.

In the 13th century, a notable figure named Giovanni POTITO was mentioned in historical records as a prominent merchant and landowner in the town of Sorrento, located in the Province of Naples. His family's influence and wealth were significant during that period, contributing to the spread and recognition of the surname.

During the Renaissance, a celebrated painter and fresco artist named Girolamo POTITO (1497-1573) gained fame for his works adorning churches and palaces in Rome and Naples. His artistic legacy helped to further establish the surname's presence in the Italian artistic and cultural spheres.

In the 17th century, a renowned scholar and philosopher named Antonio POTITO (1618-1692) made significant contributions to the field of natural philosophy. His treatises and teachings at the University of Naples helped to solidify the name's association with intellectual pursuits.

Another notable figure was Vincenzo POTITO (1801-1876), a prominent politician and statesman who served as the Minister of Interior for the Kingdom of the Two Sicilies in the mid-19th century. His involvement in the Italian unification movement and his political influence further cemented the surname's historical significance.

Throughout the centuries, the surname "POTITO" has been associated with various professions and social classes, from merchants and artists to scholars and politicians, reflecting the rich tapestry of Italian history and culture. While its origins may be humble, the name has left an indelible mark across various domains, contributing to the diverse heritage of Italian surnames.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Potito

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

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

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

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