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

Zappa, 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 Zappa surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Zappa in America

Zappa is the 23185th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Zappa surname appeared 1,100 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 Zappa.

We can also compare 2010 data for Zappa 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 Zappa

The surname Zappa finds its origins in Italy, specifically from the northern regions such as Lombardy and Veneto. The name dates back to medieval times, likely emerging during the Middle Ages between the 11th and 13th centuries. Zappa is derived from the Italian word "zappa," meaning hoe, an agricultural tool. This suggests that it may have originally been an occupational surname, indicating someone who worked as a farmer or dealt with agricultural activities.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the surname can be found in the Notarial Archives of Lombardy from the 13th century. In these documents, variations of the name such as Zappo and Zappe are also noted, indicating how the spelling of surnames evolved over time. These variations highlight the regional dialectal differences that influenced the spelling and pronunciation of the name.

A notable historical figure with the surname Zappa was Francesco Zappa, born in 1717 and died in 1803. He was an Italian-born cellist and composer who lived during the Baroque period and had a significant influence on music in his time. His works are still studied for their intricate compositions and use of the cello.

Another historical reference is Giacomo Zappa, a Venetian merchant in the late 15th century whose trading activities are documented in maritime records. His ventures were mainly in the Mediterranean region, and he played a role in the expansion of Venetian trade.

In the world of arts, another prominent Zappa is Giuseppe Zappa, born in 1822 and died in 1899. He was a well-known painter from Lombardy who contributed to the Renaissance art movement with his exquisite use of color and form, leaving a lasting legacy in Italian art history.

In the realm of academics, Mario Zappa, born in 1860 and died in 1935, was a renowned historian and philologist. His works on medieval Italian texts are still cited by scholars today for their depth and analysis of medieval culture and language.

The surname gained international recognition in the 20th century through Frank Zappa, an American musician born in 1940 and died in 1993. Frank Zappa is esteemed for his avant-garde music and satirical lyrics, contributing extensively to rock, jazz, and orchestral music. His works remain influential, showcasing the breadth of his creativity and resistance to conventional norms.

The surname Zappa thus encompasses a blend of agricultural roots and significant contributions in various fields such as music, art, commerce, and academia throughout history. Its origins in Italy and subsequent global recognition illustrate a rich legacy carried forth by individuals who impacted their respective domains profoundly.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Zappa

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

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

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

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