Acierno
Derived from the Italian word "acciaio," meaning "steel," likely referring to an ironworker or someone who worked with steel.
According to the 2010 US Census Bureau surname tables, roughly 788 Americans carry the last name Acierno. That puts it at #33,196 in the national surname ranking, appearing at a frequency of 0.23 per 100,000 people (about 1 in 434,967 residents).
This page is the full Name Census profile for the Acierno surname. You will find the Census Bureau frequency data, an ancestry and ethnicity breakdown based on self-reported demographics, the name's meaning and origin where available, and answers to the most common questions people ask about this surname.
Bearers in the US
788
1 in 434,967
Census rank
#33,196
2010 decennial data
Per 100,000
0.2
Frequency rate
Recorded bearers
689
very rare in the US
Popularity narrative
The Census Bureau recorded 689 bearers of the surname Acierno in its 2010 decennial surname file. At a rate of 0.23 per 100,000 residents, it holds the 33196th position in the national surname ranking.
Among Census respondents with the surname Acierno, the largest self-reported group is White at 95.4%. The next largest groups are Hispanic (4.2%).
Origin
Meaning and origin of Acierno
The surname ACIERNO is of Italian origin, specifically from the Campania region of southern Italy. It likely emerged in the medieval period, possibly as early as the 11th or 12th century. The name is derived from the Latin root "acernus," meaning maple tree, suggesting that the earliest bearers may have lived near or worked with maple trees.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the ACIERNO name dates back to the 13th century in the town of Acerno, located in the province of Salerno. This town's name is believed to be connected to the Latin word "acernus," further strengthening the link between the surname and the maple tree. It's possible that the ACIERNO family originated from this town or nearby areas.
Historical records from the 14th century mention an individual named Giovanni ACIERNO, a prominent landowner and merchant from the city of Naples. Unfortunately, his exact birth and death dates are unknown, but his name appears in various contracts and property documents from that era.
During the Renaissance period, the ACIERNO name gained further recognition. In the late 15th century, a notable figure named Antonio ACIERNO (birth year unknown, died circa 1520) was a respected architect and engineer who contributed to the construction of several churches and palaces in Naples and its surrounding regions.
In the 17th century, the ACIERNO family produced a renowned scholar and philosopher, Tommaso ACIERNO (1620-1692). He authored several influential works on theology and metaphysics, and his writings were widely studied in academic circles across Italy.
Another notable individual with the ACIERNO surname was Gabriele ACIERNO (1775-1841), a military officer who served in the Napoleonic Wars. He rose through the ranks and became a respected commander, playing a crucial role in several battles against the Austrian forces.
Throughout history, the ACIERNO name has been associated with various professions, including merchants, artisans, scholars, and military personnel. While the name's origins can be traced back to the Campania region of Italy, it has since spread to other parts of the country and even beyond, as families migrated and established new roots.
Demographics
Ancestry and ethnicity for Acierno
Among Census respondents with the surname Acierno, the largest self-reported group is White at 95.4%. The next largest groups are Hispanic (4.2%).
The bar chart below shows how Acierno bearers described their own race and ethnicity on the 2010 Census form. The Census Bureau groups responses into six broad categories: White, Black or African American, Hispanic or Latino, Asian and Pacific Islander, American Indian and Alaska Native, and Two or More Races. When a category has too few respondents for a given surname, the Bureau suppresses the figure to protect individual privacy, which is why some names show fewer than six slices.
Keep in mind that these are self-reported numbers. A person's surname does not determine their race or ethnicity, and the distribution you see here reflects the specific population who happened to carry the Acierno surname at the time of the 2010 Census, not any inherent property of the name itself.
- White95.4%
- Hispanic or Latino4.2%
Year on year
2010 vs 2010 Census
How has the Acierno surname changed between Census years? The chart shows bearer count side by side, and the table compares rank, count, and frequency.
Census year comparison
| Metric | 2010 | 2010 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rank | #33,196 | #33,196 | 0.0% |
| Count | 689 | 689 | 0.0% |
| Per 100K | 0.23 | 0.23 | 0.0% |
Between the 2010 and 2010 Census, the number of Acierno bearers went from 689 to 689 (+0.0% change). The surname held its position in the national ranking, going from #33,196 to #33,196.
FAQ
Acierno surname: questions and answers
How common is the last name Acierno?
The surname Acierno holds position #33,196 in the US Census Bureau's surname ranking, with an estimated 788 living bearers. It occurs at a rate of 0.23 per 100,000 Americans.
What is the ethnic background of the Acierno surname?
Among Census respondents with the surname Acierno, the largest self-reported group is White at 95.4%. The next largest groups are Hispanic (4.2%). These figures come from the 2010 Census Bureau surname tables, based on how respondents described their own race and ethnicity.
Where does this surname data come from?
All surname statistics on Name Census are drawn from the US Census Bureau's decennial surname frequency tables. These tables list every surname that appeared 100 or more times in the 2010 Census, along with a frequency rate and self-reported demographic breakdown. You can read the full explanation on our methodology page.