Zappi last name popularity, history, and meaning

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

Meaning of Zappi

An Italian surname derived from the term "zappo" meaning a hoe or mattock tool.

Zappi, 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 Zappi surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Zappi in America

Zappi is the 153769th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Zappi surname appeared 106 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 Zappi.

We can also compare 2010 data for Zappi 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.

2010 2000 Change (%)
Rank 153769 127948 18.33%
Count 106 123 -14.85%
Proportion per 100k 0.04 0.05 -22.22%

The history of the last name Zappi

The surname Zappi finds its roots in Italy, originating from the northern regions, specifically Lombardy and possibly Emilia-Romagna, during the medieval period. The earliest known versions of the name appear in the records from the 12th and 13th centuries. The name Zappi may be derived from the Italian verb "zappare," meaning "to hoe" or "to dig," indicating a possible connection to agricultural work or farming. This common practice of surnames reflecting occupations was widespread in Italy during these centuries.

One of the earlier recordings of the surname can be found in the archives of Bologna, dating back to the late 13th century. Here, the name appears as "de Zappis," a clear indication of its agrarian roots. The Zappi family of Bologna became well-documented over the centuries, contributing significantly to the cultural and political fabric of the region.

Among the notable figures bearing the surname was Giovan Battista Felice Zappi (1667-1719), a prominent Italian poet and lawyer. He is best known for his association with the Arcadian Academy in Rome, an influential literary institution. His works reflect the poetic trends of his time, and his contributions left a mark on Italian literature.

Another distinguished individual was Bartolomeo Zappi, who served as a member of the Council of Bologna in the late 14th century. His involvement in local governance provided historical insights into the administration and societal structures of northern Italian cities during the medieval period.

A notable Renaissance figure, Alessandro Zappi (1530-1594), was a well-regarded painter and student of the Mannerist style. His works were primarily religious, commissioned by various churches and monasteries across Italy. Alessandro's art contributed to the aesthetic heritage of the Renaissance period.

In the 18th century, Carlo Zappi, an adventurer and military figure, gained recognition for his exploits in the Napoleonic Wars. Carlo's military career included several key battles, earning him notoriety across Europe. His memoirs, now preserved in Italian archives, offer a vivid portrayal of the era's military and political dynamics.

Recent historical records mention Maria Zappi, a philanthropist active in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Maria's efforts focused on improving educational opportunities for women in rural Italy. Her legacy included the establishment of several schools and charitable institutions, reflecting her commitment to social improvement and educational access.

The surname Zappi has thus spanned centuries and regions, carrying with it a rich tapestry of cultural and historical significance. The name's agrarian origins evolved over time, with bearers of the surname taking on diverse roles, from poets and painters to adventurers and philanthropists, leaving an indelible mark on Italian history.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Zappi

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

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 Zappi was:

Race/Ethnicity Percentage Total Occurrences
Non-Hispanic White Only 81.13% 86
Non-Hispanic Black Only (S)% (S)
Non-Hispanic Asian and Pacific Islander Only (S)% (S)
Non-Hispanic American Indian and Alaskan Native 0.00% 0
Non-Hispanic of Two or More Races 0.00% 0
Hispanic Origin 17.92% 19

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 Zappi has changed in the 10 years between the two census surveys.

2010 2000 Change (%)
White 81.13% 86.99% -6.97%
Black (S)% 0.00% (S)%
Asian and Pacific Islander (S)% 0.00% (S)%
American Indian and Alaskan Native 0.00% 0.00% 0.00%
Two or More Races 0.00% 0.00% 0.00%
Hispanic 17.92% 13.01% 31.75%

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

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

Reference this page

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If you found the data or information on this page useful in your research, please use the tool below to properly cite or reference Name Census as the source. We appreciate your support!

"Zappi last name popularity, history, and meaning". NameCensus.com. Accessed on April 26, 2025. http://namecensus.com/last-names/zappi-surname-popularity/.

"Zappi last name popularity, history, and meaning". NameCensus.com, http://namecensus.com/last-names/zappi-surname-popularity/. Accessed 26 April, 2025

Zappi last name popularity, history, and meaning. NameCensus.com. Retrieved from http://namecensus.com/last-names/zappi-surname-popularity/.

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