Garofalo
An Italian occupational surname referring to a grower or seller of carnations or clove-scented flowers.
According to the 2010 US Census Bureau surname tables, roughly 5,998 Americans carry the last name Garofalo. That puts it at #6,571 in the national surname ranking, appearing at a frequency of 1.75 per 100,000 people (about 1 in 57,145 residents).
This page is the full Name Census profile for the Garofalo 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
6.0K
1 in 57,145
Census rank
#6,571
2010 decennial data
Per 100,000
1.8
Frequency rate
Recorded bearers
5.2K
rare in the US
Popularity narrative
The Census Bureau recorded 5,152 bearers of the surname Garofalo in its 2010 decennial surname file. At a rate of 1.75 per 100,000 residents, it holds the 6571st position in the national surname ranking.
Among Census respondents with the surname Garofalo, the largest self-reported group is White at 94.0%. The next largest groups are Hispanic (4.6%) and Two or More Races (0.8%).
Origin
Meaning and origin of Garofalo
The surname Garofalo is of Italian origin, with roots tracing back to the medieval period. It is believed to have originated from the southern Italian regions of Campania and Calabria, where the name was particularly prevalent.
One of the earliest known records of the name can be found in a 13th-century document from the city of Naples, where a certain "Petrus Garofalo" was mentioned. This suggests that the name was already established in the area during that time.
The name Garofalo is derived from the Italian word "garofano," which translates to "carnation" or "clove." It is possible that the name was originally a nickname given to someone who cultivated or had a particular affinity for these fragrant flowers.
In the 15th century, the renowned Italian Renaissance painter Benvenuto Tisi, better known as Il Garofalo (1481-1559), hailed from the city of Ferrara. His artistic contributions and the use of the surname as a moniker further solidified the name's presence in Italian history.
Another notable figure bearing the Garofalo surname was Giovanni Battista Garofalo (1501-1559), a prominent theologian and scholar from Venice. He was renowned for his works on ecclesiastical law and his contributions to the Council of Trent.
During the 16th century, the Garofalo name also appeared in records from the city of Naples, where a family of that name held considerable influence and wealth. One member, Girolamo Garofalo (1519-1592), was a respected jurist and served as a magistrate in the city.
In the realm of literature, the Italian poet and playwright Giambattista Garofalo (1619-1677) gained recognition for his works, which included comedies and tragedies inspired by classical themes.
As time progressed, the Garofalo surname spread beyond its southern Italian origins, with individuals bearing the name found in various regions of Italy and beyond, contributing to the rich tapestry of the country's cultural heritage.
Demographics
Ancestry and ethnicity for Garofalo
Among Census respondents with the surname Garofalo, the largest self-reported group is White at 94.0%. The next largest groups are Hispanic (4.6%) and Two or More Races (0.8%).
The bar chart below shows how Garofalo 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 Garofalo surname at the time of the 2010 Census, not any inherent property of the name itself.
- White94.0%
- Hispanic or Latino4.6%
- Two or more races0.8%
- Asian and Pacific Islander0.3%
- Black or African American0.2%
- American Indian and Alaska Native0.1%
Year on year
2010 vs 2010 Census
How has the Garofalo 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 | #6,571 | #6,571 | 0.0% |
| Count | 5,152 | 5,152 | 0.0% |
| Per 100K | 1.75 | 1.75 | 0.0% |
Between the 2010 and 2010 Census, the number of Garofalo bearers went from 5,152 to 5,152 (+0.0% change). The surname held its position in the national ranking, going from #6,571 to #6,571.
Notable bearers
Famous people with the surname Garofalo
FAQ
Garofalo surname: questions and answers
How common is the last name Garofalo?
The surname Garofalo holds position #6,571 in the US Census Bureau's surname ranking, with an estimated 5,998 living bearers. It occurs at a rate of 1.75 per 100,000 Americans.
What is the ethnic background of the Garofalo surname?
Among Census respondents with the surname Garofalo, the largest self-reported group is White at 94.0%. The next largest groups are Hispanic (4.6%) and Two or More Races (0.8%). 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.