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

Zaffina, 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 Zaffina surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Zaffina in America

Zaffina is the 133048th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Zaffina surname appeared 127 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 Zaffina.

We can also compare 2010 data for Zaffina 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 Zaffina

The surname Zaffina originates from Italy, with roots traced back to the region of Calabria in Southern Italy. Calabria, known for its rugged mountainous terrain and coastal beauty, has a rich history that dates back to ancient times, including settlements from the Greek and Roman periods. The surname likely appeared during the medieval period, around the 12th to 13th centuries, reflecting the tradition of surnames becoming more common as populations increased and societies became more structured.

The etymology of Zaffina is not entirely clear, though it likely stems from older Italian or Greek words given the historical linguistic influences in Calabria. One theory is that it may derive from the Arabic term "zaffan," meaning "procession" or "celebration," indicative of the centuries of Arabic influence in Southern Italy due to trade and conquest. Alternatively, given the Greek influence in the area, it may also have roots in ancient Greek vocabulary, though specific terms are less certain.

Historical records do indicate the presence of the surname in medieval Italy. Manuscripts from the 14th century include references to the Zaffina family, particularly in coastal towns like Reggio Calabria. One of the earliest recorded references to the surname is in a notarial document from 1352 in Reggio Calabria, detailing land ownership and family lineages.

Notable individuals with the surname span several centuries. Marco Zaffina, born circa 1560, was a known figure in Reggio Calabria, recognized for his contributions to local commerce through maritime trade. Giovanni Zaffina, who lived during the early 17th century (1603-1662), was a scholar and writer who contributed to the preservation of Calabrian history through his manuscripts and writings.

In the 18th century, Vincenzo Zaffina (1725-1795) emerged as a prominent figure in the political landscape of Calabria. He was involved in various local governmental reforms and is remembered for his advocacy of regional autonomy within the Kingdom of Naples. Another notable member of the Zaffina lineage, Maria Zaffina (1802-1865), was a philanthropist who dedicated her life to improving educational opportunities for children in Southern Italy, particularly girls, during a time when education for women was not prioritized.

By the 19th century, the surname continued to carry influence, with Francesco Zaffina (1835-1901), a renowned sculptor whose works were displayed in various churches and public buildings throughout Calabria, leaving a lasting cultural legacy.

Overall, the surname Zaffina has deep historical roots in the Calabria region of Italy, reflecting a diverse lineage influenced by various cultural and linguistic traditions over the centuries. Its bearers have significantly contributed to regional history, academia, politics, and the arts, cementing the name as a notable part of Southern Italian heritage.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Zaffina

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

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

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

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