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

Volta, 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 Volta surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Volta in America

Volta is the 77522nd most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Volta surname appeared 247 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 Volta.

We can also compare 2010 data for Volta 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 Volta

The surname Volta originates from Italy and traces its roots back to the 13th century. It is believed to have derived from the Italian word "volta," which means "arch" or "vault," suggesting a connection to architectural or construction-related occupations or places where arches or vaults were prominent features.

In the early records, variations of the name, such as Volta, Volti, and Voltio, can be found in various regions of Italy, particularly in the northern regions like Lombardy and Veneto. The name's presence in these areas is likely linked to the architectural styles and construction techniques prevalent during that time period.

One of the earliest known references to the name Volta can be found in the Codice Diplomatico Longobardo, a collection of historical documents from the Lombard period in Italy, dating back to the 8th century. However, the specific mention of the Volta surname is recorded later, around the 13th century.

Notable individuals with the surname Volta include Alessandro Volta (1745-1827), the renowned Italian physicist renowned for his pioneering work on electricity and the invention of the electric battery, which bears his name. Another prominent figure was Pietro Volta (1537-1614), an Italian architect and civil engineer known for his contributions to the design and construction of churches, palaces, and fortifications in Rome and other Italian cities.

In the 14th century, the name Volta was associated with a place name in the Lombardy region, specifically the town of Volta Mantovana, which may have influenced the surname's origin and spread. Additionally, the name Volterra, a historic town in Tuscany, shares a similar root and may have contributed to the surname's development.

Other notable individuals bearing the surname Volta include Felice Volta (1765-1822), an Italian painter and engraver; Cosimo Volta (1795-1849), an Italian writer and literary critic; and Daniele Volta (1779-1849), an Italian architect and engineer who worked on various projects in Milan and other cities.

Throughout the centuries, the surname Volta has been carried by individuals from diverse backgrounds, including artists, scientists, architects, and intellectuals, reflecting its enduring presence and significance in Italian history and culture.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Volta

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

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

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

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