Explore the Family Name Malaspina

The meaning of Malaspina

Italian: 1. from mala (feminine of malo) ‘bad, evil’ + spina ‘thorn’, applied as a nickname and personal name. 2. habitational name from any of various places called Malaspina. History: The Malaspina family were powerful in eastern Liguria and parts of Tuscany and Lombardy during the Middle Ages. In 1306 Franceschino Malespina offered refuge to the poet Dante during his exile. Some characteristic forenames: Italian Tino, Aldo, Antonio, Carmella, Guido, Mario.

Dictionary of American Family Names, 2nd edition, © Oxford University Press, 2022.

How common is the last name Malaspina in the United States?

According to the Decennial U.S. Census, the popularity of the surname Malaspina declined significantly between 2000 and 2010. In 2000, it was ranked at 51,352, but by 2010 it had fallen to 57,372 - a drop of 11.72%. The number of individuals with this surname also decreased from 381 in 2000 to 355 in 2010, representing a 6.82% drop. Overall, the proportion of people named Malaspina per 100k people fell by 14.29% during this period.

20002010Change
Rank#51,352#57,372-11.72%
Count381355-6.82%
Proportion per 100k0.140.12-14.29%

Race and Ethnicity of people with the last name Malaspina

In terms of ethnic identity, the data from the Decennial U.S. Census shows some interesting shifts over the 10-year period. The percentage of Malaspinas identifying as white decreased from 90.03% in 2000 to 85.63% in 2010, a change of -4.89%. Meanwhile, those identifying as Hispanic saw a substantial increase, from 7.09% in 2000 to 11.55% in 2010, a rise of 62.91%. Individuals identifying as two or more races also increased slightly, from 1.84% in 2000 to 1.97% in 2010. There were no recorded Malaspinas identifying as Asian/Pacific Islander, Black, or American Indian and Alaskan Native in either year.

20002010Change
White90.03%85.63%-4.89%
Hispanic7.09%11.55%62.91%
Two or More Races1.84%1.97%7.07%
Asian/Pacific Islander0%0%0%
Black0%0%0%
American Indian and Alaskan Native0%0%0%