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

Vitas, 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 Vitas surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Vitas in America

Vitas is the 102688th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Vitas surname appeared 175 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 Vitas.

We can also compare 2010 data for Vitas 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 Vitas

The surname VITAS originates from Lithuania, where it first appeared in the 16th century. It is derived from the Lithuanian word "vita," meaning "willow," suggesting a connection to a place or area abundant with willow trees.

VITAS is believed to have its roots in the Lithuanian town of Vitos, located in the Šalčininkai district. The earliest recorded instances of the name can be found in historical documents and records from the Grand Duchy of Lithuania, which existed from the 13th to the 18th century.

One of the earliest known bearers of the VITAS surname was Jonas Vitas, a prominent Lithuanian noble and landowner who lived in the 16th century. His name is mentioned in several historical manuscripts and records from that period, including land ownership documents and legal proceedings.

Another notable figure with the VITAS surname was Motiejus Vitas, a Lithuanian philosopher and theologian who lived in the 17th century. He was a professor at the University of Vilnius and authored several influential works on philosophy and theology.

In the 18th century, the VITAS surname gained recognition through Antanas Vitas, a Lithuanian priest and writer who contributed significantly to the development of Lithuanian literature. His works included religious texts, poetry, and translations of classical works into Lithuanian.

During the 19th century, the VITAS surname was also associated with several prominent figures in Lithuanian society. One such individual was Juozas Vitas, a successful businessman and philanthropist who supported various educational and cultural initiatives in Lithuania.

Additionally, the VITAS surname has been linked to several place names in Lithuania, such as the village of Vitai and the Vitos River. These place names likely share a common linguistic origin with the surname, further solidifying its connection to the region.

Throughout its history, the VITAS surname has maintained a strong presence in Lithuania, although it has also spread to other parts of the world through migration and diaspora communities. While not as widely recognized as some other Lithuanian surnames, VITAS remains an integral part of the country's cultural and historical fabric.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Vitas

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

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

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

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