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

Zinna, 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 Zinna surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Zinna in America

Zinna is the 57914th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Zinna surname appeared 351 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 Zinna.

We can also compare 2010 data for Zinna 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 Zinna

The surname Zinna has its origins in Italy, with historical routes tracing back to the regions of Sicily and Sardinia. The name Zinna is believed to derive from the Italian word "zinna," which translates to "nipple" in English, indicating a possible topographical origin relating to a prominent hill or a front feature.

In the early records, the surname Zinna first appears in medieval manuscripts dating back to the 12th and 13th centuries. One notable mention is in the Sicilian Norman period, where local records in Palermo indicate individuals carrying the name Zinna. These records provide a glimpse into the lives of people who bore the surname, many of them engaged in agriculture or local trades.

One of the earliest recorded examples of the surname Zinna is Giovanni Zinna, documented in 1235 in the Kingdom of Sicily's archives. Giovanni was noted as a landowner whose properties spanned several acres of fertile land. This early recording provides significant insight into the socioeconomic status of the family, suggesting they were well-established and influential within their community.

The surname can also be linked to place names in Italy. Zinna is associated with rural localities and small villages, primarily in Sicily, where ancient settlements still use variants of the name. Another early variant of the surname can be seen in Sardinia, where the name Zinnas appears in historical registries, suggesting a plural form indicating the familial lineage.

One historical figure with this surname is Pietro Zinna, born in 1572 and active until his death in 1629. Pietro Zinna was a prominent jurist and scholar in Sicily, known for his works in the legal field and his contributions to local governance during the Spanish rule in Italy.

Another noteworthy individual in history bearing the surname is Maria Zinna, born in 1645 and active in the arts until her death in 1710. Maria was a recognized painter within the Sicilian Baroque movement. Her works adorned many religious buildings and private collections, highlighting the artistic talent passed through generations under the Zinna name.

In Sardinia, the name appears with historical records of Antonio Zinna, a renowned merchant, and explorer, born in 1741, who expanded trade routes between Sardinia and mainland Italy until his death in 1796. This expansion played a crucial role in the economic development of the region.

The name also surfaces in the early 19th century with Salvatore Zinna, born in 1803, known for his contributions to the Italian War of Independence. Salvatore played a significant role in the uprising against foreign rule in Italy, continuing his activist endeavors until his death in 1867.

A more recent but still historical figure includes Carla Zinna, born in 1881, who was a pioneering figure in Italy's suffrage movement. She campaigned rigorously for women's rights and education, marking her influence in the early 20th century until her death in 1954.

Through these historical references, the surname Zinna provides a rich tapestry of individuals contributing to various facets of Italian heritage, from agriculture and law to the arts and social movements. The enduring presence of the name in historical documentation underscores its significance and the noteworthy individuals who have carried it throughout history.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Zinna

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

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

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

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