The name Marco is derived from the ancient Roman name Marcus, which is a praenomen or personal name. Marcus is likely related to the name of the Roman God Mars, who was the God of War. The name Marco is the Italian form of Marcus and has been used since at least the 4th century AD.

Marco is a masculine name that was popular throughout the Middle Ages and Renaissance periods in Italy. One of the earliest recorded examples of the name Marco is Marco Polo, the famous Venetian merchant and explorer who traveled to Asia in the 13th century (1254-1324). His travels and writings about China and the Mongol Empire brought knowledge of these regions to Europe.

Another famous Marco from history is Marco Girolamo Vida, an Italian Renaissance poet and bishop who lived from 1485 to 1566. He wrote the didactic epic poem "Christiad" which told the story of Christ's life. Marco Polo's travel accounts and Marco Vida's poetry helped spread the Italian Renaissance across Europe.

In the 16th century, Marco Antonio de Dominis (1560-1624) was a Croatian Catholic bishop and scientist who made discoveries in optics and vision. Marco da Gagliano (1582-1643) was an Italian composer who helped develop the new genre of opera in Florence.

A more recent historical figure with the name Marco is Marco Arment, an American writer, developer, and entrepreneur who co-founded Tumblr and created popular apps like Instapaper and Overcast. He was born in 1982 and exemplifies how the name Marco has endured in various cultures for centuries.