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

Zappitelli, 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 Zappitelli surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Zappitelli in America

Zappitelli is the 97210th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Zappitelli surname appeared 187 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 Zappitelli.

We can also compare 2010 data for Zappitelli 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 Zappitelli

The surname Zappitelli originates from Italy, specifically from the southern regions known for their rich cultural history and varied dialects. The family name is believed to have emerged around the late medieval period, approximately the 14th to 15th centuries, a time when surnames became more formalized in Europe.

The name Zappitelli likely derives from the Italian word "zappa," which means "hoe," a tool used in agriculture. As such, it is plausible that the surname denotes a family profession or trade, suggesting that the original bearers of the name were involved in farming or related agricultural activities. Another possibility is that it originates from a diminutive form or a combination of other names and descriptive words common in dialects of that period.

Historical records from the 16th and 17th centuries show early instances of the surname, though such records are rare due to the lack of widespread record-keeping. One of the earliest known references appears in church documents from the Calabria region, an area known for its rugged terrain and reliance on agriculture. In these records, a Giuseppe Zappitelli is mentioned as a landowner, implying a certain status within the local community around the year 1600.

By the 18th century, the Zappitelli name had spread to neighboring regions, including Apulia and Campania, likely due to migration and economic opportunities. One notable individual from this era is Domenico Zappitelli, born in Naples in 1725, who became a respected artisan known for his intricate woodwork, a craft that complimented the primarily agrarian associations of the family name.

In the 19th century, the surname began to appear in emigration records as Italy underwent significant social and economic upheavals. Families bearing the name Zappitelli emigrated to North America, seeking better prospects. Among them was Antonio Zappitelli, who arrived in New York in 1882 and later established a successful grocery business, embodying the entrepreneurial spirit of Italian immigrants.

The surname continued to find relevance and adaptability in the 20th century. Vincenzo Zappitelli, born in 1903 in Sicily, became an influential figure in the Italian community in Toronto. He contributed to the preservation of Italian cultural heritage and acted as a bridge between the old and new worlds.

Throughout its history, the surname Zappitelli has maintained its connection to its agrarian roots while adapting across different regions and eras. Its bearers have contributed to various professions and left a mark in historical records, reflecting their enduring legacy.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Zappitelli

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

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

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

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