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

Zerafa, 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 Zerafa surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Zerafa in America

Zerafa is the 118185th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Zerafa surname appeared 147 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 Zerafa.

We can also compare 2010 data for Zerafa 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 Zerafa

The surname Zerafa originates from the Mediterranean island of Malta, with its history stretching back several centuries. The name is thought to derive from the Arabic word "zarafa," which means "giraffe." This indicates a possible influence from the period of Arab rule in Malta, which lasted from 870 AD to 1090 AD. As Malta was a melting pot of various cultures, the surname reflects a fusion of linguistic traditions that emerged over time.

The earliest known recorded references to the surname Zerafa appear in the 15th and 16th centuries. Historical documents from this period, especially church records and notarial documents, reveal the presence of the Zerafa family in various Maltese villages, indicating their well-established roots in the region. The name appears in slightly varied forms in these old manuscripts, sometimes spelled as Zarafa or Xerafa, reflecting the evolving orthography of the Maltese language.

One of the earliest notable individuals bearing the surname was Don Francesco Zerafa, who was a prominent figure in the Maltese nobility during the early 17th century. Born around 1580, Don Francesco played a significant role in local governance and was known for his contributions to public works and charitable activities. Another historical figure of note is Dr. Giuseppe Zerafa, a distinguished Maltese medical practitioner in the mid-18th century, born in 1714. Dr. Giuseppe was renowned for his medical expertise and significantly influenced public health in Malta until his death in 1780.

In the realm of the arts, Michelangelo Pergola Zerafa, born in 1765, was a celebrated Maltese sculptor who left a lasting legacy with his works that adorned many churches and public buildings in Malta. His artistic prowess earned him acclaim during his lifetime, and he continued to be remembered long after his death in 1820.

The name Zerafa also has a presence in Maltese ecclesiastical history. Monsignor Luigi Zerafa, born in 1792, served the Church with great dedication, eventually rising to the rank of Vicar General of the Diocese of Malta. His tenure was marked by significant reforms in diocesan administration, and he remained a pivotal figure in the religious community until his death in 1867.

Further adding to the historical tapestry of the Zerafa surname is Vincenzo Zerafa, an influential Maltese politician and advocate for social reform in the 19th century. Born in 1825, Vincenzo championed various causes, including the improvement of educational standards and workers' rights, making substantial contributions to Maltese society before passing away in 1889.

These figures, spanning various centuries and professions, highlight the rich heritage and the significant impact that individuals with the surname Zerafa have had on Maltese history. The surname continues to be a symbol of the historical and cultural legacy of the Maltese archipelago.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Zerafa

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

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

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

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