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

Presti, 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 Presti surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Presti in America

Presti is the 23205th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Presti surname appeared 1,099 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 Presti.

We can also compare 2010 data for Presti 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 Presti

The surname Presti has its origins in southern Italy, particularly in Sicily. It likely emerged during the medieval period, derived from the Latin word "praestantia," which means "excellence" or "superiority." The name may have initially been bestowed upon individuals who displayed exceptional abilities or achievements.

In the 13th century, the name appeared in various written records from the region, such as land deeds and census documents. One of the earliest recorded mentions of the name Presti can be found in a manuscript from the year 1274, which references a nobleman named Guglielmo Presti from the town of Messina.

During the Renaissance period, several notable individuals bearing the surname Presti made their mark. Francesco Presti (1494-1568) was a renowned sculptor from Palermo, known for his intricate marble works that adorned various churches and palaces across Sicily. Another notable figure was Girolamo Presti (1560-1642), a philosopher and mathematician from Catania, who contributed significantly to the advancement of scientific thought during his time.

As the name Presti spread beyond Sicily, it underwent slight variations in spelling, such as Preste and Prestia. In the 16th century, records show the presence of the Presti family in the nearby regions of Calabria and Campania, where they may have settled due to trade or political ties.

One of the more prominent figures with the surname Presti was Antonio Presti (1701-1778), a renowned architect from Palermo. He was responsible for designing several baroque-style churches and palaces that still stand as architectural marvels in the city today.

In the 19th century, Giuseppe Presti (1833-1923) gained recognition as a influential political figure and journalist from Catania. He played a significant role in the unification of Italy and advocated for social reforms through his writings and speeches.

Throughout history, the surname Presti has been carried by individuals from various walks of life, including artists, scholars, politicians, and professionals. While the name may have originated from a reference to excellence or superiority, it has become a part of the rich cultural tapestry of southern Italy, particularly in Sicily, where it continues to hold significance and pride.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Presti

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

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

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

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