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

Farol, 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 Farol surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Farol in America

Farol is the 120187th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Farol surname appeared 144 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 Farol.

We can also compare 2010 data for Farol 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 Farol

The surname FAROL is believed to have originated in Portugal during the late medieval period, around the 14th or 15th century. It is derived from the Portuguese word "farol," which means "lighthouse" or "beacon." This suggests that the name may have been initially associated with individuals who lived near or worked at lighthouses along the Portuguese coastline.

One of the earliest recorded mentions of the FAROL surname can be found in historical documents from the region of Algarve, in southern Portugal. In the 16th century, a family bearing this name was recorded as residing in the coastal town of Lagos, which was known for its prominent lighthouse and maritime activities.

During the Age of Discovery, when Portuguese explorers and navigators played a significant role in expanding the boundaries of the known world, the FAROL surname gained some prominence. Individuals with this surname may have been associated with navigation, seamanship, or other maritime professions, as the name's connection to lighthouses and beacons would have been particularly relevant.

In the 17th century, a notable figure bearing the FAROL surname was João FAROL, a skilled shipbuilder and navigator from Lisbon. He was commissioned by the Portuguese Crown to design and construct several vessels for the country's naval fleet, contributing to the nation's maritime endeavors during that era.

Another prominent individual with the FAROL surname was Maria FAROL, who lived in the late 18th century. She was a renowned poet and writer from Porto, whose works explored themes of love, nature, and the human condition. Her literary contributions earned her recognition among her contemporaries and helped shape the cultural landscape of her time.

In the 19th century, the FAROL surname was associated with a family of lighthouse keepers in the Azores Islands. This family had a long-standing tradition of maintaining and operating the lighthouses along the treacherous coastlines of these remote islands, ensuring the safety of ships navigating the treacherous waters of the Atlantic Ocean.

Over time, the FAROL surname has spread beyond Portugal to other parts of the world, particularly to former Portuguese colonies and regions with strong historical ties to the nation. While the name may have lost its direct connection to lighthouses and maritime professions in some cases, its Portuguese roots and the symbolism associated with guiding lights and beacons remain an integral part of its history and cultural significance.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Farol

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

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

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

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