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

DeSalvo, 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 DeSalvo surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of DeSalvo in America

DeSalvo is the 10866th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The DeSalvo surname appeared 2,932 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 DeSalvo.

We can also compare 2010 data for DeSalvo 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 DeSalvo

The surname DESALVO originated in Italy, tracing its roots back to the 16th century. It is derived from the Italian phrase "de salvo," which means "of safety" or "safe." This name likely originated as a descriptive surname, given to someone who lived in a secure or protected area.

The earliest recorded instances of the DESALVO surname can be found in historical documents from the regions of Campania and Calabria in southern Italy. These regions were known for their strong fortifications and defensive structures during the medieval and Renaissance periods, making it a fitting place for the name to emerge.

In the late 16th century, the name appears in the records of the city of Naples, where a prominent family by the name of DESALVO held influential positions within the local government. One notable member, Girolamo DESALVO (1556-1623), served as a magistrate and played a key role in the city's judicial system.

As the DESALVO family expanded and migrated to other parts of Italy, their name can be found in various historical records and manuscripts. In the 17th century, a branch of the family settled in the region of Tuscany, where the name was sometimes spelled as "DeSalvi" or "DeSalvis."

One of the most renowned individuals with the DESALVO surname was the Italian painter and engraver, Giuseppe DESALVO (1695-1763). Born in Naples, he gained recognition for his religious artwork and frescoes adorning many churches throughout Italy.

In the 19th century, the DESALVO name gained prominence in the field of literature. Antonio DESALVO (1814-1887), a Sicilian poet and playwright, was celebrated for his works that explored themes of love, nature, and the human condition.

Another notable figure was the Italian-American businessman and philanthropist, Michael DESALVO (1892-1972). Born in Sicily, he immigrated to the United States and founded a successful construction company in New York City. He was known for his generous contributions to various charitable organizations and institutions.

These are just a few examples of the rich history and notable individuals associated with the surname DESALVO, a name that has its roots deeply embedded in the cultural and historical fabric of Italy.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name DeSalvo

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

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

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

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