Find out how popular the last name Certo is in the United States and learn more about the meaning, history, and race and ethnic origin of people in America who are named Certo.
An Italian surname potentially derived from the word "certo" meaning certain or sure.
Certo, 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 Certo surname is from the 2010 census data.
Certo is the 39352nd most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.
The Certo surname appeared 559 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 Certo.
We can also compare 2010 data for Certo 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.
2010 | 2000 | Change (%) | |
---|---|---|---|
Rank | 39352 | 43546 | -10.12% |
Count | 559 | 467 | 17.93% |
Proportion per 100k | 0.19 | 0.17 | 11.11% |
The surname Certo originated in Italy, with its earliest recorded instances dating back to the late medieval period. It is believed to be a variation of the Italian word "certo," which means "certain" or "sure." This suggests that the name may have initially been used as a nickname or descriptor for someone known for their certainty or assuredness.
One of the earliest documented references to the Certo name can be found in the records of the Republic of Venice, where a merchant named Giovanni Certo was mentioned in a trade document from the year 1427. This indicates that the name was already in use in northern Italy during the 15th century.
The Certo surname is also closely associated with the town of Certaldo in the region of Tuscany. It is possible that the name originated in this area and later spread to other parts of Italy as individuals migrated or established new branches of the family.
In the 16th century, a notable figure named Antonio Certo (1507-1566) gained recognition as a renowned scholar and humanist. He authored several works on philosophy and literature, contributing to the intellectual climate of the Renaissance period.
During the 17th century, the Certo name appeared in various ecclesiastical records, suggesting that members of the family held positions within the Catholic Church. One such individual was Father Giacomo Certo (1621-1697), who served as a priest in the city of Naples.
As the centuries progressed, the Certo surname continued to be represented across various regions of Italy. In the 19th century, a prominent figure named Giuseppe Certo (1815-1891) emerged as a celebrated painter and artist, known for his intricate landscapes and portraiture.
Other notable individuals with the Certo surname include Vincenzo Certo (1876-1942), a political activist and labor organizer who played a significant role in promoting workers' rights in Sicily during the early 20th century.
While the origin of the Certo surname can be traced back to medieval Italy, it has since spread to other parts of the world through migration and diaspora communities. However, its roots remain firmly planted in the rich cultural and historical tapestry of the Italian peninsula.
We also have some data on the ancestry of people with the surname Certo.
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:
For the most recent 2010 census data, the race/ethnic origin breakdown for Certo was:
Race/Ethnicity | Percentage | Total Occurrences |
---|---|---|
Non-Hispanic White Only | 96.24% | 538 |
Non-Hispanic Black Only | 0.00% | 0 |
Non-Hispanic Asian and Pacific Islander Only | 0.89% | 5 |
Non-Hispanic American Indian and Alaskan Native | (S)% | (S) |
Non-Hispanic of Two or More Races | (S)% | (S) |
Hispanic Origin | 2.50% | 14 |
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 Certo has changed in the 10 years between the two census surveys.
2010 | 2000 | Change (%) | |
---|---|---|---|
White | 96.24% | 94.43% | 1.90% |
Black | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% |
Asian and Pacific Islander | 0.89% | (S)% | (S)% |
American Indian and Alaskan Native | (S)% | (S)% | (S)% |
Two or More Races | (S)% | 1.50% | (S)% |
Hispanic | 2.50% | 3.00% | -18.18% |
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 Certo was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.
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<a href="http://namecensus.com/last-names/certo-surname-popularity/">Certo last name popularity, history, and meaning</a>
"Certo last name popularity, history, and meaning". NameCensus.com. Accessed on April 27, 2025. http://namecensus.com/last-names/certo-surname-popularity/.
"Certo last name popularity, history, and meaning". NameCensus.com, http://namecensus.com/last-names/certo-surname-popularity/. Accessed 27 April, 2025
Certo last name popularity, history, and meaning. NameCensus.com. Retrieved from http://namecensus.com/last-names/certo-surname-popularity/.
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