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

Tosca, 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 Tosca surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Tosca in America

Tosca is the 73215th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Tosca surname appeared 265 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 Tosca.

We can also compare 2010 data for Tosca 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 Tosca

The surname Tosca is of Italian origin, with roots dating back to the 13th century. It is believed to be derived from the Old Italian word "tosco," which means "Tuscan" or "from Tuscany." This suggests that the earliest bearers of this surname hailed from the picturesque region of Tuscany in central Italy.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the Tosca name can be found in the historical records of Florence, a renowned city in Tuscany, where a certain Guido Tosca was documented as a prominent merchant and landowner in the late 1200s. The name also appears in various medieval manuscripts and records from other parts of Tuscany, such as Siena and Pisa.

During the Renaissance period, the name Tosca gained prominence with the rise of the Tosca family, a wealthy and influential clan based in Florence. One notable member was Vincenzo Tosca (1544-1612), a renowned architect and sculptor who contributed to several iconic structures in the city, including the Palazzo Pitti and the Basilica of San Lorenzo.

As the centuries passed, the Tosca name spread beyond the borders of Tuscany. In the 17th century, a branch of the family settled in Naples, where they became involved in the maritime trade. One notable descendant was Antonino Tosca (1678-1745), a celebrated naval commander who played a pivotal role in the War of the Spanish Succession.

Another prominent figure associated with the Tosca name was Giuseppe Tosca (1806-1883), an Italian composer and opera singer from Naples. He gained fame for his performances in various operas by Verdi and Donizetti, and his compositions were widely acclaimed throughout Italy.

Beyond Italy, the Tosca surname can be found in other parts of Europe, particularly in Spain and France, where it is believed to have been introduced by Italian immigrants and traders. One notable bearer of the name was Emilio Tosca (1892-1964), a Spanish painter and sculptor who was part of the avant-garde movement in the early 20th century.

Throughout its long history, the Tosca surname has been linked to various professions, from merchants and landowners to artists, architects, and military figures. While the name may have evolved in spelling and pronunciation across different regions, its roots remain firmly grounded in the rich cultural heritage of Tuscany, a region celebrated for its art, architecture, and deeply ingrained traditions.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Tosca

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

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

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

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