Dicillo
An Italian surname derived from the word "cielo" meaning heaven or sky.
According to the 2010 US Census Bureau surname tables, roughly 206 Americans carry the last name Dicillo. That puts it at #99,378 in the national surname ranking, appearing at a frequency of 0.06 per 100,000 people (about 1 in 1,663,856 residents).
This page is the full Name Census profile for the Dicillo surname. You will find the Census Bureau frequency data, an ancestry and ethnicity breakdown based on self-reported demographics, the name's meaning and origin where available, and answers to the most common questions people ask about this surname.
Bearers in the US
206
1 in 1,663,856
Census rank
#99,378
2010 decennial data
Per 100,000
0.1
Frequency rate
Recorded bearers
182
very rare in the US
Popularity narrative
The Census Bureau recorded 182 bearers of the surname Dicillo in its 2010 decennial surname file. At a rate of 0.06 per 100,000 residents, it holds the 99378th position in the national surname ranking.
Among Census respondents with the surname Dicillo, the largest self-reported group is White at 98.9%.
Origin
Meaning and origin of Dicillo
The surname DICILLO originated in Italy, specifically in the southern regions of the country, during the late medieval period. It is believed to have derived from the Latin word "dīcere," meaning "to say" or "to speak." This suggests that the name may have been initially associated with individuals who were known for their oratory skills or professions involving public speaking.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the name dates back to the 13th century, where a certain Guglielmo DICILLO is mentioned in a document from the city of Naples. This document, now preserved in the archives of the Archdiocese of Naples, provides valuable insight into the surname's presence in the area during that time.
In the 15th century, the name appears in the records of the Republic of Venice, where a merchant named Giovanni DICILLO is documented as engaging in trade activities with the eastern Mediterranean region. This indicates that the surname had spread beyond its initial southern Italian origins and was being carried by individuals involved in commerce and trade.
During the Renaissance period, the name gained prominence through the works of Antonio DICILLO, a renowned poet and scholar from Salerno. Born in 1482, Antonio's literary contributions and intellectual pursuits brought recognition to the surname within the realms of art and academia.
Another notable figure associated with the name was Domenico DICILLO, a military commander who served under the Spanish Crown in the 16th century. Domenico's achievements on the battlefield and his role in the Spanish conquest of Naples further added to the historical significance of the surname.
In the 17th century, the name DICILLO appeared in the records of the Vatican Archives, where a cleric named Francesco DICILLO is mentioned as holding an ecclesiastical position within the Catholic Church. This highlights the surname's presence among the religious elite of the time.
Throughout the centuries, the name has undergone various spellings and variations, such as DICELLA, DICILLI, and DECILLO, reflecting the linguistic diversity and regional influences across different parts of Italy. Additionally, some branches of the DICILLO family may have adopted or been associated with specific place names or localities, further contributing to the richness of the surname's history.
Demographics
Ancestry and ethnicity for Dicillo
Among Census respondents with the surname Dicillo, the largest self-reported group is White at 98.9%.
The bar chart below shows how Dicillo bearers described their own race and ethnicity on the 2010 Census form. The Census Bureau groups responses into six broad categories: White, Black or African American, Hispanic or Latino, Asian and Pacific Islander, American Indian and Alaska Native, and Two or More Races. When a category has too few respondents for a given surname, the Bureau suppresses the figure to protect individual privacy, which is why some names show fewer than six slices.
Keep in mind that these are self-reported numbers. A person's surname does not determine their race or ethnicity, and the distribution you see here reflects the specific population who happened to carry the Dicillo surname at the time of the 2010 Census, not any inherent property of the name itself.
- White98.9%
Year on year
2010 vs 2010 Census
How has the Dicillo surname changed between Census years? The chart shows bearer count side by side, and the table compares rank, count, and frequency.
Census year comparison
| Metric | 2010 | 2010 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rank | #99,378 | #99,378 | 0.0% |
| Count | 182 | 182 | 0.0% |
| Per 100K | 0.06 | 0.06 | 0.0% |
Between the 2010 and 2010 Census, the number of Dicillo bearers went from 182 to 182 (+0.0% change). The surname held its position in the national ranking, going from #99,378 to #99,378.
Notable bearers
Famous people with the surname Dicillo
FAQ
Dicillo surname: questions and answers
How common is the last name Dicillo?
The surname Dicillo holds position #99,378 in the US Census Bureau's surname ranking, with an estimated 206 living bearers. It occurs at a rate of 0.06 per 100,000 Americans.
What is the ethnic background of the Dicillo surname?
Among Census respondents with the surname Dicillo, the largest self-reported group is White at 98.9%. These figures come from the 2010 Census Bureau surname tables, based on how respondents described their own race and ethnicity.
Where does this surname data come from?
All surname statistics on Name Census are drawn from the US Census Bureau's decennial surname frequency tables. These tables list every surname that appeared 100 or more times in the 2010 Census, along with a frequency rate and self-reported demographic breakdown. You can read the full explanation on our methodology page.