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

Zampella, 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 Zampella surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Zampella in America

Zampella is the 53538th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Zampella surname appeared 386 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 Zampella.

We can also compare 2010 data for Zampella 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 Zampella

The surname Zampella has its origins in Italy, particularly in the southern regions, likely around the Campania area. The name first emerged in historical records during the late Middle Ages, a period of great flux and regional differentiation in Italy. It possibly derives from a diminutive or a dialectical variation of the base name Zampa, which means "paw" or "leg" in Italian. This might suggest an occupational origin, perhaps referring to a person with a distinctive walk or gait, or metaphorically implying agility or strength.

The early records of the surname Zampella are sparse, but one can find mention of similar names in medieval archives. There is an archival mention in the 14th century where the name appears in notarial documents from the Kingdom of Naples, which encompassed most of Southern Italy. These documents often registered property transactions, official appointments, or legal disputes, indicating individuals with some standing in their community.

The earliest recorded example of the surname Zampella is found in the parish records of the 15th century, especially in smaller towns around Naples. One notable early bearer was Giovanni Zampella, a landowner documented in the 1470s in the town of Salerno. This suggests that the name was already well-established by this time, indicating the family’s presence and stability in the region.

In the 16th century, the Zampella family gained some prominence. Another notable figure was Francesco Zampella, born in 1532, who served as a local magistrate in the town of Avellino. His role in the administration implies the family’s continued involvement in local governance and their maintained social status.

Moving forward to the 17th century, records from the ecclesiastical archives show a Pietro Zampella, born in 1604, who became a priest in Naples. His clerical career is well-documented, showcasing the family’s foray into religious vocations, which were held in high regard during that era.

An important historical reference occurs in the 18th century with Giuseppe Zampella, born in 1720, who became known for his scholarly work in the humanities. His contributions to the intellectual life of southern Italy were celebrated, and some of his writings are preserved in the libraries of Naples.

By the late 19th century, Vincenzo Zampella, born in 1851, gained fame as an influential politician in the newly unified Italy. His efforts in regional politics and his advocacy for southern Italy’s development mark him as a significant figure in the later history of the Zampella surname.

Throughout its history, the name Zampella has reflected a variety of societal roles, from landowners and magistrates to clergy and scholars. The geographic concentration around southern Italy highlights the name's deep roots in the region, maintaining its presence and influence over many centuries.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Zampella

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

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

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

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