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

Rappa, 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 Rappa surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Rappa in America

Rappa is the 20480th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Rappa surname appeared 1,296 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 Rappa.

We can also compare 2010 data for Rappa 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 Rappa

The surname RAPPA is of Italian origin, with its roots traced back to the 15th century in the regions of Sicily and Calabria. It is believed to be derived from the Italian word "rappa," which means "turnip" or "radish." This suggests that the name may have originated as a descriptive surname, possibly referring to someone who grew or sold these vegetables.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the RAPPA surname can be found in the historic Sicilian town of Palermo, where a document from the late 15th century mentions a certain Antonino Rappa. This individual was a landowner and farmer, further supporting the agricultural connection of the name.

In the 16th century, the RAPPA name appears in various records from the town of Reggio Calabria, located in the southern region of Calabria. One notable figure from this era was Giuseppe Rappa, a local merchant and trader born in 1542, who played a role in the city's commercial activities.

As the centuries progressed, the RAPPA surname spread to other parts of Italy and beyond. In the 18th century, a family bearing this name was documented in the town of Bari, in the region of Puglia. One of its members, Antonio Rappa (1734-1805), was a respected lawyer and judge.

Moving into the 19th century, the RAPPA surname gained recognition with the birth of Gioacchino Rappa (1815-1892), a prominent Italian painter and artist from Naples. His works, depicting scenes of everyday life and landscapes, were highly acclaimed and can be found in various art galleries across Italy.

Another notable figure was Antonio Rappa (1871-1944), a Sicilian politician and activist who played a significant role in the labor movement and the fight for workers' rights in the early 20th century. His efforts contributed to the improvement of working conditions and the recognition of labor unions in Italy.

Throughout history, the RAPPA surname has been associated with various occupations and professions, reflecting the diverse paths taken by those who bore this name. From farmers and merchants to artists and political figures, the RAPPA legacy has left its mark on Italian history and culture.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Rappa

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

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

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

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