Grieco
An Italian surname likely derived from the Greek word "graikos," meaning a person of Greek heritage or culture.
According to the 2010 US Census Bureau surname tables, roughly 4,113 Americans carry the last name Grieco. That puts it at #9,212 in the national surname ranking, appearing at a frequency of 1.20 per 100,000 people (about 1 in 83,334 residents).
This page is the full Name Census profile for the Grieco 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
4.1K
1 in 83,334
Census rank
#9,212
2010 decennial data
Per 100,000
1.2
Frequency rate
Recorded bearers
3.5K
rare in the US
Popularity narrative
The Census Bureau recorded 3,537 bearers of the surname Grieco in its 2010 decennial surname file. At a rate of 1.20 per 100,000 residents, it holds the 9212th position in the national surname ranking.
Among Census respondents with the surname Grieco, the largest self-reported group is White at 94.6%. The next largest groups are Hispanic (4.1%) and Two or More Races (0.6%).
Origin
Meaning and origin of Grieco
The surname Grieco originated in Italy and has been present since the medieval period. It is derived from the Greek word "Graikos," which means "Greek." This suggests that the name may have been initially given to individuals who had Greek ancestry or ties to the Greek culture or language.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Grieco can be found in the Codice Diplomatico Barese, a collection of historical documents from the city of Bari in the Apulia region of southern Italy, dating back to the 11th century. This suggests that the name was already well-established in that area during the Middle Ages.
The name Grieco may also be associated with the town of Greccio, located in the province of Rieti, Lazio. This town was known for its Greek influences and may have served as a source for the surname. In fact, some records mention individuals with the surname "de Greccio" or "da Greccio," indicating their origin from this locality.
Throughout history, several notable individuals have borne the surname Grieco. One of the earliest was Pietro Grieco (c. 1300-1370), a renowned Italian jurist and professor of law who taught at the University of Bologna. Another notable figure was Girolamo Grieco (1519-1593), an Italian humanist and scholar who wrote extensively on classical literature and philosophy.
In the artistic realm, Giovanni Battista Grieco (1627-1692) was a prominent Italian painter of the Baroque era, known for his religious works and portraits. His paintings can be found in various churches and galleries across Italy.
Moving into the 19th century, Giuseppe Grieco (1836-1913) was an Italian politician and journalist who served as a deputy in the Italian Parliament and founded several newspapers, including "Il Popolo Romano."
More recently, Adriana Grieco (1880-1953) was an Italian actress and opera singer who performed in numerous operas and plays throughout her career, earning critical acclaim for her performances.
These are just a few examples of individuals with the surname Grieco who have left their mark on various fields throughout history, showcasing the rich heritage and diversity associated with this Italian surname.
Demographics
Ancestry and ethnicity for Grieco
Among Census respondents with the surname Grieco, the largest self-reported group is White at 94.6%. The next largest groups are Hispanic (4.1%) and Two or More Races (0.6%).
The bar chart below shows how Grieco 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 Grieco surname at the time of the 2010 Census, not any inherent property of the name itself.
- White94.6%
- Hispanic or Latino4.1%
- Two or more races0.6%
- Asian and Pacific Islander0.6%
- Unknown or suppressed0.2%
Year on year
2000 vs 2010 Census
How has the Grieco 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 | 2000 | 2010 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rank | #8,528 | #9,212 | -8.0% |
| Count | 3,559 | 3,537 | -0.6% |
| Per 100K | 1.32 | 1.20 | -9.1% |
Between the 2000 and 2010 Census, the number of Grieco bearers went from 3,559 to 3,537 (-0.6% change). The surname moved down 684 positions in the national ranking, going from #8,528 to #9,212.
Notable bearers
Famous people with the surname Grieco
FAQ
Grieco surname: questions and answers
How common is the last name Grieco?
The surname Grieco holds position #9,212 in the US Census Bureau's surname ranking, with an estimated 4,113 living bearers. It occurs at a rate of 1.20 per 100,000 Americans.
What is the ethnic background of the Grieco surname?
Among Census respondents with the surname Grieco, the largest self-reported group is White at 94.6%. The next largest groups are Hispanic (4.1%) and Two or More Races (0.6%). 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.