Cacopardo last name popularity, history, and meaning

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

Meaning of Cacopardo

An Italian surname meaning "the evil leopard" or "bad cat".

Cacopardo, 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 Cacopardo surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Cacopardo in America

Cacopardo is the 151532nd most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Cacopardo surname appeared 108 times in the 2010 census and if you were to sample 100,000 people in the United States, approximately 0 people would have the surname Cacopardo.

The history of the last name Cacopardo

The surname Cacopardo is of Italian origin, tracing its roots back to the island of Sicily. It emerged during the medieval period, likely between the 11th and 13th centuries. The name is believed to have derived from the ancient Greek words "kakos," meaning bad or evil, and "pardos," meaning leopard or panther. This unique combination suggests the name may have initially referred to a fierce or formidable individual, perhaps a skilled warrior or hunter.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the Cacopardo surname appears in a 13th-century manuscript from the city of Palermo, Sicily. This document, a record of land ownership and taxation, lists a certain "Guglielmo Cacopardo" as a prominent landowner in the region. The name's appearance in such an official record suggests the Cacopardo family held a degree of social standing and influence during that period.

In the 15th century, the Cacopardo name gained further recognition when a member of the family, Giovanni Cacopardo (1425-1492), became a renowned scholar and philosopher. His contributions to the fields of logic and metaphysics earned him a reputation as one of the most erudite minds of his time. Giovanni's writings and teachings helped to preserve and disseminate the works of ancient Greek philosophers, ensuring their lasting influence on Western thought.

Another notable figure bearing the Cacopardo surname was Vincenzo Cacopardo (1598-1671), a Sicilian architect and military engineer. His architectural designs can be found in several churches and fortifications throughout Sicily, including the Castello di San Pietro in Palermo. Vincenzo's expertise in military engineering also led him to serve as a consultant to various European rulers, further enhancing the family's reputation.

During the 18th century, the Cacopardo family produced a celebrated poet and playwright, Domenico Cacopardo (1725-1797). His works, which often explored themes of love, betrayal, and societal norms, were widely acclaimed throughout Italy and beyond. Domenico's most famous play, "La Vendetta Siciliana" (The Sicilian Vengeance), is still performed and studied today as a classic example of Italian dramatic literature.

In more recent times, the Cacopardo name has continued to make its mark, particularly in the field of medicine. Guido Cacopardo (1892-1973) was a renowned Italian surgeon and researcher, whose pioneering work in gastroenterology and digestive disorders earned him international recognition. His contributions to medical knowledge and practice have had a lasting impact on the treatment of various gastrointestinal conditions.

These are just a few examples of the rich history and legacy associated with the surname Cacopardo, a name that has endured for centuries and continues to carry the weight of its illustrious past.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Cacopardo

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

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 Cacopardo was:

Race/Ethnicity Percentage Total Occurrences
Non-Hispanic White Only 93.52% 101
Non-Hispanic Black Only (S)% (S)
Non-Hispanic Asian and Pacific Islander Only (S)% (S)
Non-Hispanic American Indian and Alaskan Native 0.00% 0
Non-Hispanic of Two or More Races (S)% (S)
Hispanic Origin (S)% (S)

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.

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 Cacopardo was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

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

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"Cacopardo last name popularity, history, and meaning". NameCensus.com. Accessed on May 1, 2025. http://namecensus.com/last-names/cacopardo-surname-popularity/.

"Cacopardo last name popularity, history, and meaning". NameCensus.com, http://namecensus.com/last-names/cacopardo-surname-popularity/. Accessed 1 May, 2025

Cacopardo last name popularity, history, and meaning. NameCensus.com. Retrieved from http://namecensus.com/last-names/cacopardo-surname-popularity/.

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