Zizza last name popularity, history, and meaning

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

Meaning of Zizza

A surname possibly of Italian origin with uncertain meaning.

Zizza, 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 Zizza surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Zizza in America

Zizza is the 54990th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Zizza surname appeared 374 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 Zizza.

We can also compare 2010 data for Zizza 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 54990 52077 5.44%
Count 374 375 -0.27%
Proportion per 100k 0.13 0.14 -7.41%

The history of the last name Zizza

The surname Zizza has its origins in Italy, particularly from the southern regions such as Apulia and Calabria. The name likely emerged during the medieval period, around the 13th or 14th centuries. It is believed to be derived from the Italian word "zizza," which means "to chatter" or "to gossip," potentially pointing to an ancestor who was known for being talkative or socially engaging. The name may also be connected to a dialectical variation or an occupation related to public speaking or announcements.

One of the earliest historical references to the name can be traced to the various tax records and ecclesiastical documents of the time. For instance, the Zizza family name appears in the 15th-century notary records in the town of Lecce in Apulia. These documents often detailed land transactions, marriages, and other legal matters, providing a glimpse into the daily lives of early bearers of the surname.

In historical records, one of the earliest documented individuals with the surname Zizza is Giovanni Zizza, a merchant from Lecce who lived in the late 1500s. His commercial activities are noted in several city archives, marking him as a significant figure in local trade. This indicates that the Zizza family had established themselves as influential members of their community.

Another notable individual is Francesco Zizza, born in 1623 and died in 1694, who served as a local magistrate in the town of Matera. His contributions to local governance and community affairs were well-documented, and his name appears in several judicial records from that period. Francesco's involvement in various legal disputes and his role as a mediator highlight the family's continued prominence in the region.

The surname also appears in military records from the 18th century. Vincenzo Zizza, born in 1710, served as a captain in the Neapolitan army and participated in several key battles during the War of the Austrian Succession. His military service is commemorated in various historical accounts, showcasing the family's service and commitment to the state.

In the realm of arts, Alessandro Zizza, a renowned painter from the early 19th century, born in 1789 and deceased in 1845, gained recognition for his work in religious frescoes across southern Italy. His artistic legacy is preserved in numerous churches and public buildings, demonstrating the diverse talents and contributions of the Zizza family.

Lastly, Maria Zizza, born in 1852 and died in 1921, made significant strides in education as one of the first female educators in her province, advocating for the education of young girls. Her efforts in the field of education are well documented, and she is remembered for her pioneering spirit and dedication to improving literacy and learning in her community.

Throughout history, the surname Zizza has appeared in various forms and records, attesting to the family's longstanding presence in southern Italy. From merchants and magistrates to military leaders and artists, the Zizza name has been borne by individuals who have contributed notably to their societies.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Zizza

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

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 Zizza was:

Race/Ethnicity Percentage Total Occurrences
Non-Hispanic White Only 98.40% 368
Non-Hispanic Black Only (S)% (S)
Non-Hispanic Asian and Pacific Islander Only 0.00% 0
Non-Hispanic American Indian and Alaskan Native 0.00% 0
Non-Hispanic of Two or More Races (S)% (S)
Hispanic Origin (S)% (S)

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

2010 2000 Change (%)
White 98.40% 98.13% 0.27%
Black (S)% 0.00% (S)%
Asian and Pacific Islander 0.00% 0.00% 0.00%
American Indian and Alaskan Native 0.00% 0.00% 0.00%
Two or More Races (S)% (S)% (S)%
Hispanic (S)% (S)% (S)%

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

If you have a correction or suggestion to improve the history of Zizza, 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!

"Zizza last name popularity, history, and meaning". NameCensus.com. Accessed on December 22, 2024. http://namecensus.com/last-names/zizza-surname-popularity/.

"Zizza last name popularity, history, and meaning". NameCensus.com, http://namecensus.com/last-names/zizza-surname-popularity/. Accessed 22 December, 2024

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

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