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

Ventresca, 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 Ventresca surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Ventresca in America

Ventresca is the 22573rd most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Ventresca surname appeared 1,138 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 Ventresca.

We can also compare 2010 data for Ventresca 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 Ventresca

The surname Ventresca has its origins in Italy, with the earliest known records dating back to the 14th century. It is believed to have originated from the region of Campania, specifically in the area around Naples. The name is derived from the Italian word "ventresca," meaning "belly" or "abdomen," possibly indicating that the original bearer of the name had a large stomach or was stout in appearance.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Ventresca can be found in a document from the archives of the city of Naples, dated 1375. This document mentions a certain Giovanni Ventresca, who was a merchant involved in the trade of salt and spices.

In the 15th century, the Ventresca family gained prominence in the region, with several members holding positions of importance in the local government and the Church. Notably, Matteo Ventresca (1420-1498) served as a magistrate in Naples, while his brother, Tommaso Ventresca (1425-1501), was a respected cleric and scholar.

During the Renaissance period, the name Ventresca was associated with the arts and literature. Antonio Ventresca (1470-1542) was a renowned painter from Naples, known for his religious works and portraiture. His contemporary, Giacomo Ventresca (1475-1538), was a celebrated poet and author, whose works were widely read throughout Italy.

As the Ventresca family spread across Italy, variations in the spelling of the name emerged. In some regions, it was recorded as Ventrisca, Ventrischia, or Ventrescia, reflecting local dialects and pronunciation.

One notable bearer of the name was Francesco Ventresca (1585-1667), a military commander who served under the Spanish Crown during the Thirty Years' War. His bravery and strategic skills earned him the title of "Conte di Montesarchio" (Count of Montesarchio) in recognition of his service.

Another prominent figure was Girolamo Ventresca (1625-1692), a Jesuit priest and scholar who made significant contributions to the field of astronomy. His observations and calculations were instrumental in refining the understanding of planetary motion and the movements of celestial bodies.

Throughout the centuries, the Ventresca name has been carried by individuals from various walks of life, including artists, writers, politicians, and religious figures. While the name may not be as common today as it once was, its rich history and cultural significance remain a part of Italy's diverse heritage.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Ventresca

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

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

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

Reference this page

We spend a lot of resources downloading, cleaning, merging, and formatting the data that is shown on the site.

If you found the data or information on this page useful in your research, please use the tool below to properly cite or reference Name Census as the source. We appreciate your support!