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

Zappia, 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 Zappia surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Zappia in America

Zappia is the 23019th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Zappia surname appeared 1,110 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 Zappia.

We can also compare 2010 data for Zappia 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 Zappia

The surname Zappia originates from Italy, specifically the southern regions of Calabria and Sicily. The name can be traced back to the late medieval period, around the 14th century. Calabria and Sicily were rich in agricultural activities, and the name "Zappia" is believed to derive from the Italian word "zappa," which means hoe, a tool used for farming. This suggests that the surname likely indicated someone who was a farmer or worked with farming tools.

In terms of historical references, the Zappia surname appears in various documents and records from the Renaissance period. One notable early mention is in a 15th-century census of Calabria, where several families bearing the name Zappia were recorded. This documentation showcases the surname's deep roots and prevalence in the region during that period.

The earliest recorded examples of the name can be found in various church records from Calabria and Sicily, including birth, marriage, and death registers. A prominent early figure was Giovanni Zappia, born in 1420, who is noted in church records from Reggio Calabria. His name appears in several documents, indicating he was a landowner, a status that likely contributed to the persistence of the surname.

Throughout history, other notable individuals with the surname Zappia include Antonio Zappia, a 17th-century merchant from Sicily, born in 1653 and known for his trade between Sicily and mainland Italy. Another significant figure is Francesco Zappia, born in 1801, who was a well-regarded artisan in the town of Catanzaro, Calabria.

Moving into the 19th century, Domenico Zappia, born in 1837, became known for his contributions as a political figure in Calabria, advocating for agricultural reforms. His efforts were documented in local newspapers and political records of the time, illustrating the surname's association with both agriculture and governance.

In the early 20th century, Rosa Zappia, born in 1902, from a small village in Calabria, became renowned in local history for her efforts in preserving traditional Calabrian folk songs and dances, leaving a cultural legacy that continues to be celebrated.

These historical references and individuals highlight the deep connections of the Zappia surname to southern Italy's agricultural and cultural development. The name Zappia remains a testament to the historical roles and contributions of people from Calabria and Sicily.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Zappia

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

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

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

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