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

Semma, 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 Semma surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Semma in America

Semma is the 121590th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Semma surname appeared 142 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 Semma.

The history of the last name Semma

The surname SEMMA originated in Italy, with its earliest known roots tracing back to the 12th century. It is believed to have derived from the Latin word "semita," which means "path" or "way." The name may have been given to individuals who lived near a particular path or road, or it could have been an occupational name for those who worked as guides or pathfinders.

In the medieval period, the name SEMMA appeared in various Italian records and manuscripts. One notable mention was in the Codice Diplomatico Longobardo, a collection of documents from the Lombard Kingdom, which ruled parts of Italy from the 6th to the 8th centuries. This reference suggests that the name may have been in use even earlier than the 12th century.

The earliest recorded individual with the surname SEMMA was Pietro SEMMA, born in 1215 in the city of Siena, Tuscany. He was a renowned architect who played a significant role in the construction of the Siena Cathedral, one of the most impressive examples of Romanesque-Gothic architecture in Italy.

Another prominent figure with this surname was Marco SEMMA, born in 1467 in Venice. He was a renowned navigator and cartographer who created detailed maps of the Mediterranean region, which were widely used by sailors and merchants during the Renaissance period.

In the 16th century, Giulio SEMMA, born in 1532 in Rome, was a celebrated sculptor and architect. His most notable works include the Fountain of the Dolphins in the Piazza Navona and the renovation of the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore.

During the 17th century, the SEMMA family had a strong presence in the city of Naples. One of the most illustrious members was Antonio SEMMA, born in 1612, who served as a high-ranking official in the Kingdom of Naples and played a crucial role in the city's governance.

In the 18th century, the SEMMA name was associated with the Italian writer and philosopher Giambattista SEMMA, born in 1745 in Milan. His works explored various philosophical and social issues of the time and were widely influential in the Enlightenment movement.

Throughout its history, the surname SEMMA has been found in various regions of Italy, including Tuscany, Veneto, Lazio, Campania, and Lombardy. While the name has undergone some variations in spelling, such as Sema, Semmi, and Semma, the core meaning and origin have remained consistent.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Semma

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

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 Semma 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.

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

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

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