Last Name Demaria

The surname Demaria is of Italian origin. It is derived from a place name, specifically from various locations named "Di Maria" found throughout Italy. The name was originally a geographical one, indicating someone who came from one of these places or was associated with them in some way. Over time, it became a hereditary surname.

Learn more about the origin of the last name Demaria

The meaning and origin of the last name Demaria

The surname Demaria is an Italian name that derives from the Latin word "de Maria," which means "of Mary." In feudal Italy, it was common for a family to take their surname from the patron saint of their village or town. As such, Demaria may have originated from a location that had a strong association with the Virgin Mary. The name became more widespread during the Middle Ages when surnames first began to be used in Europe. Today, the Demaria surname is most common in Italy but can also be found in other parts of the world where Italians have immigrated. Notable individuals with the Demaria surname include Enzo Demaria, a former professional soccer player, and Salvatore Demaria, an Italian-American composer.

Geographical distribution of the last name Demaria

The surname Demaria has its origins in Italy and is primarily concentrated there, particularly in regions such as Lombardy, Emilia-Romagna, and Piedmont. It is also found in other Italian-speaking areas, including Switzerland and parts of Austria. In terms of geographical distribution outside of Italy, the United States has a significant population with this surname, largely due to immigration from Italy in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Demaria can also be found in various European countries that have historical ties to Italy, such as France, Spain, and Germany, as well as in South America, particularly Brazil, where Italian immigrants have settled over the years. In North America and Oceania, Canada and Australia are among the countries with a presence of people bearing the Demaria surname, again due to immigration from Italy.

Variants and spellings of the last name Demaria

The surname Demaria has several variations and spelling alternatives. These include:

1. DeMaria - This is one of the most common variants, with an uppercase "D" followed by a lowercase "e" and "Maria".
2. Di Maria - A variant where the first letter is "Di", which is short for "Diademaria", meaning adorned with a diadem in Latin.
3. DeMaris - This spelling variation adds an "s" at the end, likely due to phonetic or typographical changes over time.
4. Demarie - Another variant that replaces the final "a" with an "e".
5. De Maria - In some cases, the surname is written as two separate words, with a space between "De" and "Maria", although this is less common than the single-word variations.
6. De Marias - A less common variation that pluralizes the surname by adding an "s" at the end.
7. Da Maria - This variant replaces the initial "D" with a "Da", but it's not as prevalent as other variations.
8. Demarie-Villars - A compound surname formed by combining Demarie with Villars, another French surname.

Famous people with the last name Demaria

Notable individuals with the surname DeMarco include:

1. Joseph A. DeMarco, an American professor of mechanical engineering at Pennsylvania State University. He is known for his work on thermal-fluid sciences and is a fellow of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers.

2. Carmen Basilio, born Carmine DeMarco, was an American professional boxer who won the middleweight championship in 1957. He is a member of the International Boxing Hall of Fame.

3. Louis J. DeMarco Jr., a retired United States Army lieutenant general who served as Surgeon General of the Army from 2004 to 2008. He was the first enlisted soldier to become Army Surgeon General.

4. Joe DeMarco, an American film editor known for his collaborations with director John Waters, including "Pink Flamingos" and "Hairspray".

5. Dominic DeMarco, a restaurateur who founded the first Sbarro pizzeria in Brooklyn, New York in 1956, which later became an international franchise.

Genealogical research on the last name Demaria

The surname Demaria originates from Italy and is primarily found in the regions of Lombardy, Piedmont, and Emilia-Romagna. Historically, it is believed to be a variation of the Italian surnames De Marchi or De Maria, derived from Latin "de" meaning "of" and "marchis" or "maria," both referring to a marquis or a sea of salt, respectively. The Demaria family has been recorded in Italy since medieval times, with documented instances dating back to the 14th century. Some notable figures bearing the name include the Italian composer Ottavio Demaria and the Italian politician Giovanni Battista Demaria. Today, the surname is found worldwide among Italian diaspora communities, particularly in countries such as Argentina, Brazil, the United States, and Canada.

Last name distribution maps

Sources & References

• INSEE statistics on the surname "Demaria"
• Global distribution of the surname on Forebears.io
• Wikipedia Article

About the author :

NomOrigine Team
Passionate about genealogy, name history, and linguistics, we have been analyzing the origins of names for over 3 years. Our content is based on verified historical, etymological, and statistical data.
Last updated : 27 July 2025

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