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

Faro, 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 Faro surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Faro in America

Faro is the 25935th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Faro surname appeared 947 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 Faro.

We can also compare 2010 data for Faro 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 Faro

The surname Faro originated in Italy, with the earliest recorded examples dating back to the 12th century. The name is believed to be derived from the Italian word "faro," meaning "lighthouse" or "beacon," suggesting that the name may have been given to someone who lived near a lighthouse or worked as a lighthouse keeper.

One of the earliest known records of the name Faro comes from the city of Genoa, where a family with this surname can be traced back to the late 12th century. This family played a prominent role in the maritime trade of the time, which aligns with the name's connection to lighthouses and navigation.

In the 13th century, there are records of a Faro family in the city of Pisa, another important Italian maritime center. The name is also found in various manuscripts and documents from other Italian cities such as Venice and Florence during this period, indicating its widespread use across the region.

During the Renaissance, several notable individuals bore the surname Faro. One of the most famous was Battista Faro (1508-1567), a renowned mathematician and astronomer from Genoa. He made significant contributions to the development of navigation techniques and the study of celestial bodies, further reinforcing the name's association with seafaring and exploration.

Another prominent figure was Giovanni Battista Faro (1573-1639), an Italian painter from Genoa who was known for his religious works and portraits. His paintings can be found in various churches and galleries across Italy.

In the 18th century, the surname Faro gained recognition in the field of literature with the writer and poet Domenico Faro (1712-1781) from Naples. His works, which included satirical plays and poems, were widely acclaimed during his time.

The name Faro also has connections to various place names in Italy, such as Faro di Messina, a town in Sicily known for its lighthouse, and Faro Superiore, a village in the province of Treviso, which may have contributed to the origin and spread of the surname.

Throughout history, the surname Faro has been associated with seafaring, navigation, and coastal communities, reflecting the name's roots and the occupations of its early bearers. While the name has since spread to other parts of the world, its Italian origins and connections to lighthouses and maritime life remain an integral part of its heritage.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Faro

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

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

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

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