More Than 2 Million New Yorkers Claim Italian Heritage

For many families in New York, Italy is more than just a vacation destination. It is part of their family story. A new study found that more than 2 million New Yorkers report having Italian ancestry, making New York one of the top states in America for Italian heritage.

Italian Roots Run Deep In New York

The research from Walks of Italy looked at U.S. Census data to see where Italian heritage is strongest across the country. They found that over 10% of New York residents identify as having Italian ancestry. That put New York sixth overall nationwide for the percentage of residents with Italian roots.

Esposito Was New York’s Most Common Italian Surname

They also looked at the most common Italian American last names in each state. In New York, the most common Italian surname was Esposito. The name goes back to the Campania region of Italy, which includes famous destinations like Naples, the Amalfi Coast, and Pompeii. In fact, many Italian American families are planning trips focused on visiting the towns connected to their ancestors.

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Heritage Travel Continues To Grow

The study comes as ancestry tourism continues to grow across the United States. More Americans are using vacations to learn about family history, visit ancestral towns, explore local traditions, and reconnect with their cultural roots.

Italian Heritage Remains Strong Across The Northeast

The report found the Northeast remains the strongest region in America for Italian ancestry. New Jersey, Connecticut, Rhode Island, and Massachusetts all ranked near the top along with New York. For many Italian Americans, a last name is becoming more than family history, it's a starting point for a trip back to where their story began.