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

Zaffarano, 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 Zaffarano surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Zaffarano in America

Zaffarano is the 97210th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Zaffarano surname appeared 187 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 Zaffarano.

We can also compare 2010 data for Zaffarano 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 Zaffarano

The surname Zaffarano originates from Italy, and its roots can be traced back to the regions of Sicily and Calabria in southern Italy. The name is believed to have emerged during the medieval period, around the 12th to 13th centuries. It is derived from the Italian word "zafferano," which means "saffron." The use of saffron in Italy has a long history, valued both as a spice and a dye, which suggests that the name Zaffarano may have originally been an occupational surname relating to those who traded or worked with saffron.

Historical records do not pinpoint a single source, but variations of the surname can be found in early manuscripts and local registries. In Sicily, a land known for its rich and diverse history, a significant mention of the name Zaffarano can be found in agricultural records where families were noted for cultivating and trading saffron. This linking of one's name to their trade or occupation was common in medieval Italy.

The earliest recorded example of the surname is from a 13th-century document in the region of Calabria. One Giovanni Zaffarano is cited in the record as a land owner and saffron trader, suggesting the prominence of this family in local commerce. Another early bearer of this surname was Marco Zaffarano, mentioned in a 14th-century Sicilian registry as a notable figure in the spice trade.

In the 15th century, Antonio Zaffarano made notable contributions to the local economy of Agrigento in Sicily. His birth and death dates are not precisely known, but he is documented to have been active around 1480. Antonio was recognized for expanding saffron trading routes, establishing trade links with Northern Italian cities and even parts of Spain.

The 17th century saw the surname appear in ecclesiastical documents, with Pietro Zaffarano recorded as a priest in a parish near Cosenza, Calabria, around 1625. His involvement in local religious and community affairs marked the name's transition from commercial to more diverse societal roles.

In the 19th century, Vincenzo Zaffarano, born in 1804 in Palermo, achieved recognition as a scholar and author. He was known for his extensive writings on the agricultural practices of Sicily, including the cultivation of saffron, and his works are still referenced in historical studies of the region.

Lastly, in the 20th century, another notable individual bearing the surname was Giuseppe Zaffarano (1868–1949), who was a prominent figure in the Italian political landscape, advocating for agricultural reforms and improvements in farming techniques. His efforts were instrumental in modernizing parts of Southern Italy's agricultural sector.

The name Zaffarano has thus evolved over centuries, with its bearers contributing significantly to various facets of Italian society, particularly, though not exclusively, connected to the cultivation and trade of saffron.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Zaffarano

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

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

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

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