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

Tornabene, 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 Tornabene surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Tornabene in America

Tornabene is the 34465th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Tornabene surname appeared 657 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 Tornabene.

We can also compare 2010 data for Tornabene 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 Tornabene

The surname "TORNABENE" originates from Italy, with roots dating back to the medieval period. It is believed to have emerged in the regions of Sicily and Calabria, where it was initially spelled "Tornabeni."

This Italian surname is derived from the phrase "tornare bene," which translates to "to return well" or "to come back safely." It is speculated that the name was initially bestowed upon individuals who returned safely from long journeys or wars, possibly during the Crusades or other military campaigns of that era.

Early records of the surname can be found in historic documents from the 13th and 14th centuries, including several mentions in the Sicilian Vespers, a renowned uprising against the Angevin French rule in 1282. One notable figure from this period was Giovanni Tornabene, a Sicilian nobleman who played a significant role in the revolt.

As the surname spread across Italy, variations in spelling emerged, such as Tornabeni, Tornaboni, and Tornabene. These variations often reflected regional dialects and local pronunciations.

In the 15th century, the Tornabene family established themselves as prominent landowners in the region of Calabria, with several members holding influential positions in local governing bodies.

One of the earliest recorded individuals with the surname was Pietro Tornabene, born in 1423 in Reggio Calabria. He was a renowned scholar and philosopher who authored several treatises on ethics and theology.

Another notable figure was Antonio Tornabene, born in 1516 in Palermo, Sicily. He was a celebrated Italian painter and architect who contributed to the Renaissance art movement in Italy.

During the 17th century, the Tornabene family gained recognition in the city of Naples, where several members pursued careers in law and politics. One such individual was Giulio Tornabene, born in 1642, who served as a magistrate and advisor to the Viceroy of Naples.

In the 18th century, the surname spread further across Italy, with members of the Tornabene family making their mark in various fields, including literature, music, and the military. One notable figure was Giuseppe Tornabene, born in 1768 in Catania, Sicily. He was a renowned poet and playwright who contributed significantly to the development of Sicilian literature.

Throughout its history, the surname "Tornabene" has been associated with individuals from diverse backgrounds and professions, ranging from artists and scholars to political figures and military leaders. While its origins can be traced back to medieval Italy, the name has endured and spread across generations, carrying with it a rich cultural heritage.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Tornabene

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

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

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

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