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

DeFeo, 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 DeFeo surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of DeFeo in America

DeFeo is the 11415th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The DeFeo surname appeared 2,760 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 DeFeo.

We can also compare 2010 data for DeFeo 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 DeFeo

The surname DEFEO originated in Italy, with the earliest records dating back to the 13th century. It is believed to have derived from the Latin word "defaeco," meaning "to purify" or "to cleanse." This suggests that the name may have been associated with individuals who worked in professions related to purification or cleansing, such as tanners or dyers.

One of the earliest known references to the name DEFEO can be found in a document from the city of Naples, dated 1289. This document mentions a certain Giovanni DEFEO, who was a prominent merchant in the city at that time.

In the 14th century, the DEFEO surname began to spread across various regions of Italy, including Tuscany and Lombardy. Historical records from this period often list the name with variations in spelling, such as DEFAIO, DEFAJO, and DEFAGIO.

During the Renaissance period, several notable individuals bore the DEFEO surname. One such person was Antonio DEFEO, a celebrated painter from Florence who lived from 1450 to 1528. His works can be found in various churches and galleries throughout Italy.

Another prominent figure was Francesca DEFEO, a renowned scholar and poet from Siena, who lived from 1480 to 1554. She was highly regarded for her contributions to literature and was a member of the prestigious Accademia degli Intronati.

In the 17th century, the DEFEO surname gained a foothold in the city of Venice. One of the most famous individuals from this period was Marco DEFEO, a renowned architect who designed several iconic buildings in Venice, including the church of Santa Maria della Salute. He lived from 1610 to 1678.

As the DEFEO family spread throughout Italy, they often adopted variations of the name based on local dialects and traditions. For example, in the southern regions of Italy, the surname was sometimes spelled as DEFIO or DEFIORE.

Throughout the centuries, the DEFEO surname has been associated with various professions and occupations, including artists, scholars, merchants, and artisans. While the name has evolved over time, its Italian roots and rich cultural heritage remain an integral part of its identity.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name DeFeo

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

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

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

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