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

Zoccola, 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 Zoccola surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Zoccola in America

Zoccola is the 116201st most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Zoccola surname appeared 150 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 Zoccola.

We can also compare 2010 data for Zoccola 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 Zoccola

The surname Zoccola traces its origins to Italy, likely emerging during the medieval period. The name originates from the central and southern regions of Italy, specifically in areas such as Abruzzo, Campania, and Molise. It is derived from the Italian word "zoccolo," meaning "clog" or "wooden shoe," which was a common type of footwear in the past. This suggests an occupational origin, possibly referring to someone who made or wore clogs.

The earliest records of the surname date back to medieval Italian manuscripts and land records. For instance, a mention of the surname Zoccola appears in the notarial deeds of the city of Naples in the 14th century, noting its presence among the artisans and craftsmen of that time. This indicates that the family was involved in local trade and community affairs.

One of the earliest and most notable bearers of the surname was Giovanni Zoccola, a resident of Molise, who was documented in 1478 as a prominent merchant dealing in leather goods. His successful business dealings helped to establish the Zoccola name in the region. Throughout the subsequent centuries, the Zoccola family maintained a strong presence in southern Italy, contributing to local economies and society.

Another significant figure was Pietro Zoccola, born in 1502 in Campania. He became well-known as a master craftsman who specialized in woodworking, including the production of the zoccoli that carried the family name. Pietro's work gained recognition for its quality and durability, further embedding the surname in the local culture.

In the 17th century, Maria Zoccola, born in 1623 in Abruzzo, emerged as a rare example of a female entrepreneur in a male-dominated industry. She took over her family's business and expanded their production to include a range of footwear, earning significant respect in her community. Her business acumen and leadership were documented in various local trade records.

Moving into the 18th century, Francesco Zoccola, born in 1735, was a famous painter whose works adorned numerous churches in the Campania region. His religious and pastoral scenes were well-regarded, and several of his paintings still exist in small chapels. Francesco's contributions to the arts were celebrated, and he carried the Zoccola name into the cultural history of Italy.

In the 19th century, Vincenzo Zoccola, born in 1809, was recognized for his involvement in the Italian unification movement. As a soldier and later a political figure, he contributed to the efforts that led to the unification of Italy. Vincenzo's actions and leadership were documented in historical accounts of the Risorgimento, highlighting his dedication to his country.

The surname Zoccola thus carries a rich history, deeply connected to the trades, arts, and political movements in the regions of Italy. Its bearers have left a lasting legacy through their contributions across various centuries.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Zoccola

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

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

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

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