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

Ventura, 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 Ventura surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Ventura in America

Ventura is the 877th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Ventura surname appeared 39,580 times in the 2010 census and if you were to sample 100,000 people in the United States, approximately 13 people would have the surname Ventura.

We can also compare 2010 data for Ventura 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 Ventura

The surname Ventura originated in Italy, with its earliest recorded use dating back to the 12th century. It is derived from the Italian word "ventura," which means "luck" or "fortune." This name likely originated as a nickname for someone who was considered fortunate or successful in their endeavors.

The name Ventura was particularly prevalent in the regions of Tuscany, Umbria, and Lazio, where it was often associated with noble families and landowners. One of the earliest recorded instances of the name can be found in a document from the city of Perugia in 1197, which mentions a certain "Guglielmo Ventura."

During the Renaissance period, several notable individuals bore the surname Ventura. One of the most prominent was Matteo Ventura, a skilled architect and engineer who lived from 1470 to 1537. He was responsible for the design and construction of several significant buildings in Rome, including the Palazzo della Cancelleria and the Palazzo dei Conservatori.

Another noteworthy individual with the surname Ventura was Giovanni Battista Ventura, a celebrated painter and engraver who lived from 1536 to 1583. His works adorned the churches and palaces of Rome, and he is particularly renowned for his religious paintings and depictions of biblical scenes.

In the 18th century, the name Ventura gained further prominence with the birth of Giovanni Ventura (1746-1822), a renowned Italian mathematician and astronomer. He made significant contributions to the field of celestial mechanics and was a member of the prestigious Accademia dei Lincei.

The surname Ventura also has connections to the New World. One of the earliest recorded instances of the name in the Americas was Juan Ventura, a Spanish explorer who accompanied Hernán Cortés on his expedition to Mexico in the early 16th century. Ventura played a crucial role in the conquest of the Aztec Empire and later settled in the region.

Another notable figure with the surname Ventura was Pedro de Ventura (1492-1567), a Spanish missionary and one of the first Jesuit priests to travel to the Americas. He spent many years evangelizing among the indigenous populations of Mexico and is credited with establishing several missions and churches in the region.

Throughout history, the surname Ventura has been associated with individuals from various walks of life, including artists, scientists, explorers, and religious figures. While its exact origins may be shrouded in mystery, the name's connection to fortune and success has endured, making it a surname with a rich and fascinating history.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Ventura

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

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

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

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