Fero
A surname originating from Italian meaning "wild" or "ferocious".
According to the 2010 US Census Bureau surname tables, roughly 754 Americans carry the last name Fero. That puts it at #34,758 in the national surname ranking, appearing at a frequency of 0.22 per 100,000 people (about 1 in 454,581 residents).
This page is the full Name Census profile for the Fero 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
754
1 in 454,581
Census rank
#34,758
2010 decennial data
Per 100,000
0.2
Frequency rate
Recorded bearers
650
very rare in the US
Popularity narrative
The Census Bureau recorded 650 bearers of the surname Fero in its 2010 decennial surname file. At a rate of 0.22 per 100,000 residents, it holds the 34758th position in the national surname ranking.
Among Census respondents with the surname Fero, the largest self-reported group is White at 92.5%. The next largest groups are Hispanic (3.9%) and Two or More Races (2.1%).
Origin
Meaning and origin of Fero
The surname Fero is of Italian origin, with roots dating back to the medieval period. It is believed to have derived from the Latin word "ferrum," meaning iron, suggesting a possible occupation or trade association with ironworking or blacksmithing for the original bearers of this name.
The earliest recorded instances of the Fero surname can be traced back to the 13th century in regions such as Tuscany and Umbria, where it was commonly found in ancient records and documents. Some variations in spelling existed, including Ferro, Ferri, and Ferrero, reflecting regional dialects and scribal differences.
One notable historical reference to the Fero name is found in the "Libro di Montaperti," a 13th-century manuscript detailing the Battle of Montaperti, which mentions a certain "Guido Fero" as a participant in the conflict. This suggests that individuals bearing this surname were present and involved in significant events of the time.
In the 14th century, the name Fero appeared in the "Codice Diplomatico Dantesco," a collection of documents related to the life of the renowned Italian poet Dante Alighieri. This association, though indirect, highlights the presence and prominence of the Fero surname during the Renaissance era in Italy.
Among notable individuals with the Fero surname throughout history, one can mention:
1. Giovanni Fero (c. 1450-1525), an Italian architect and sculptor active in the early 16th century, known for his work on the Basilica of Santa Maria Novella in Florence.
2. Vincenzo Fero (1590-1660), an Italian painter and engraver from the Baroque period, renowned for his religious and mythological works.
3. Girolamo Fero (1610-1678), an Italian jurist and legal scholar who served as a judge in the Republic of Venice and authored several influential treatises on law.
4. Elisabetta Fero (1715-1792), an Italian poet and playwright who gained recognition for her contributions to the literary salons of Venice during the Enlightenment period.
5. Pietro Fero (1820-1892), an Italian explorer and naturalist who conducted extensive research and expeditions in the Amazon rainforest, contributing valuable knowledge to the field of biology and ethnography.
While the Fero surname may have originated from an occupational association, its prevalence throughout Italian history and its presence in various historical records and figures highlight its enduring legacy and significance within Italian culture and society.
Demographics
Ancestry and ethnicity for Fero
Among Census respondents with the surname Fero, the largest self-reported group is White at 92.5%. The next largest groups are Hispanic (3.9%) and Two or More Races (2.1%).
The bar chart below shows how Fero 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 Fero surname at the time of the 2010 Census, not any inherent property of the name itself.
- White92.5%
- Hispanic or Latino3.9%
- Two or more races2.1%
- Asian and Pacific Islander0.9%
Year on year
2010 vs 2010 Census
How has the Fero 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 | #34,758 | #34,758 | 0.0% |
| Count | 650 | 650 | 0.0% |
| Per 100K | 0.22 | 0.22 | 0.0% |
Between the 2010 and 2010 Census, the number of Fero bearers went from 650 to 650 (+0.0% change). The surname held its position in the national ranking, going from #34,758 to #34,758.
Notable bearers
Famous people with the surname Fero
FAQ
Fero surname: questions and answers
How common is the last name Fero?
The surname Fero holds position #34,758 in the US Census Bureau's surname ranking, with an estimated 754 living bearers. It occurs at a rate of 0.22 per 100,000 Americans.
What is the ethnic background of the Fero surname?
Among Census respondents with the surname Fero, the largest self-reported group is White at 92.5%. The next largest groups are Hispanic (3.9%) and Two or More Races (2.1%). 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.