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

Marcelo, 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 Marcelo surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Marcelo in America

Marcelo is the 13002nd most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Marcelo surname appeared 2,361 times in the 2010 census and if you were to sample 100,000 people in the United States, approximately 1 people would have the surname Marcelo.

We can also compare 2010 data for Marcelo 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 Marcelo

The surname Marcelo originated in Italy, with its earliest recorded use dating back to the 12th century. It is derived from the Latin name "Marcellus," which itself has roots in the Roman clan name "Marcelli." The name is thought to have been initially borne by those who were born on the festival day of Mars, the Roman god of war.

In its earliest forms, the name was often spelled as "Marcelli" or "Marcellini" in various Italian regions, particularly in central and northern parts of the country. Over time, the spelling evolved to "Marcelo" and became more widespread throughout the Italian peninsula.

One of the earliest documented references to the name Marcelo can be found in a 13th-century Venetian record, which mentions a certain "Marcelino Marcelo," a merchant engaged in trade with the Byzantine Empire. Another notable early bearer of the name was Marcelo Malipiero, a 14th-century Venetian diplomat and statesman, who served as an ambassador to various European courts.

During the Renaissance period, the name gained further prominence, with several notable individuals bearing it. One such figure was Marcelo Palingenio Stellato (c. 1500-1543), an Italian poet and satirist whose work "Zodiacus Vitae" was widely read and influential during his time.

In the realm of art, the name is associated with Marcelo Venusti (c. 1515-1579), an Italian painter who worked closely with Michelangelo and was known for his religious and mythological paintings. Another notable bearer of the name was Marcelo Malpighi (1628-1694), an Italian biologist and physician, widely considered the founder of modern microscopic anatomy.

As the surname spread beyond Italy, it also gained prominence in other parts of Europe and the Americas. One notable figure was Marcelo Cervantes (1518-1587), a Spanish novelist and playwright, best known for his masterpiece "Don Quixote." In the realm of music, Marcelo Obregón (1779-1844) was a renowned Argentine composer and musician, celebrated for his contributions to the development of Argentine folk music.

Across different eras and regions, the surname Marcelo has been borne by numerous individuals who have left their mark in various fields, from literature and art to science and politics. While the name's origins can be traced back to ancient Rome, its enduring presence throughout history serves as a testament to its cultural significance and the diverse paths taken by those who have carried it.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Marcelo

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

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

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

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