Find out how popular the last name Argo is in the United States and learn more about the meaning, history, and race and ethnic origin of people in America who are named Argo.

Argo, like all of the last names we have data for, is identified by the U.S. Census Bureau as a surname which has more than 100 occurrences in the United States in the Decennial Census survey. The most recent statistics we have for the Argo surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Argo in America

Argo is the 8635th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Argo surname appeared 3,808 times in the 2010 census and if you were to sample 100,000 people in the United States, approximately 1 people would have the surname Argo.

We can also compare 2010 data for Argo to data from the previous census in 2000. The table below contains all of the statistics for both years in a side-by-side comparison.

The history of the last name Argo

The surname ARGO has its origins in the Mediterranean region, with roots tracing back to ancient Greece and the Hellenistic period. It is believed to have been derived from the Greek word "argos," which means "swift" or "bright," suggesting a connection to speed, agility, or radiance.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name ARGO can be found in ancient Greek mythology, where it was the name given to the famous ship that carried Jason and the Argonauts on their quest for the Golden Fleece. This legendary vessel was said to have been constructed by the skilled craftsman Argus, adding another layer of meaning to the name's origins.

During the Byzantine Empire, the name ARGO appeared in various historical documents and records, indicating its presence among the Greek-speaking population of the region. One notable figure from this era was Argos of Constantinople, a scholar and philosopher who lived in the 9th century and wrote extensively on topics such as logic and metaphysics.

As the name spread throughout the Mediterranean, it found its way to Italy, where it evolved into the Italian variant "Argo." In the 13th century, a prominent figure named Argo di Firenze, a wealthy merchant and patron of the arts, rose to prominence in Florence. His contributions to the city's cultural and economic development have been well-documented.

In the 16th century, the name ARGO gained recognition in Spain, where it was associated with the explorer Juan de Argo, who accompanied Hernán Cortés on his expeditions to the New World. Juan de Argo played a significant role in the conquest of Mexico and is mentioned in various historical accounts from that period.

Another noteworthy individual bearing the surname ARGO was Sophia Argo, a renowned Greek poet and writer who lived in the 19th century. Her works, which explored themes of love, loss, and the struggles of the human condition, garnered widespread acclaim and contributed to the revival of Greek literature during that time.

Throughout history, the name ARGO has maintained a strong presence across various cultures and regions, reflecting its ancient roots and the diverse journeys undertaken by those who carried this name. While its origins can be traced to the Mediterranean, the name has transcended geographical boundaries and continues to be a part of the rich tapestry of global surnames.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Argo

We also have some data on the ancestry of people with the surname Argo.

The below race categories are the modified race categories used in the Census Bureau's population estimates program. All people were categorized into six mutually exclusive racial and Hispanic origin groups:

1. White only
2. Black only
3. American Indian and Alaskan Native only
4. Asian and Pacific Islander only
5. Hispanic
6. Two or More Races

For the most recent 2010 census data, the race/ethnic origin breakdown for Argo was:

Note: Any fields showing (S) means the data was suppressed for privacy so that the data does not in any way identify any specific individuals.

Since we have data from the previous census in 2000, we can also compare the values to see how the popularity of Argo has changed in the 10 years between the two census surveys.

Data source

The last name data and ethnic breakdown of last names is sourced directly from the Decennial Census survey, conducted every 10 years by the United States Census Bureau.

The history and meaning of the name Argo was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

If you have a correction or suggestion to improve the history of Argo, please contact us.

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