Moffo
A surname of Italian origin referring to a person with prominent jowls or lips.
According to the 2010 US Census Bureau surname tables, roughly 308 Americans carry the last name Moffo. That puts it at #74,141 in the national surname ranking, appearing at a frequency of 0.09 per 100,000 people (about 1 in 1,112,839 residents).
This page is the full Name Census profile for the Moffo 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
308
1 in 1,112,839
Census rank
#74,141
2010 decennial data
Per 100,000
0.1
Frequency rate
Recorded bearers
261
very rare in the US
Popularity narrative
The Census Bureau recorded 261 bearers of the surname Moffo in its 2010 decennial surname file. At a rate of 0.09 per 100,000 residents, it holds the 74141st position in the national surname ranking.
Among Census respondents with the surname Moffo, the largest self-reported group is White at 96.5%. The next largest groups are Black (2.3%).
Origin
Meaning and origin of Moffo
The surname Moffo originated in Sicily, an island located in the central Mediterranean Sea, and has been present in the region since at least the 13th century. It is believed to have derived from the Arabic word "muffar," meaning "barren" or "infertile," which refers to the arid nature of the Sicilian landscape.
The earliest recorded instances of the name Moffo can be found in historical documents from the town of Palermo, the capital of Sicily, dating back to the late 13th century. These records include mentions of individuals such as Giovanni Moffo, a merchant who lived in Palermo during the 1280s.
Throughout the centuries, the Moffo name has been associated with various notable figures from Sicily. One such individual was Pietro Moffo, a renowned painter who lived in Palermo during the 15th century and is known for his intricate frescoes adorning several churches in the city.
In the 16th century, records show the presence of the Moffo family in the town of Monreale, located near Palermo. One noteworthy member of this branch was Antonino Moffo, a scholar and professor at the University of Palermo, who published several treatises on philosophy and theology between 1520 and 1570.
The name Moffo also appears in historical documents from the nearby town of Bagheria, where a family of that name was prominent in the 17th century. Francesco Moffo, born in 1635, was a successful merchant and landowner who played a significant role in the town's economic development.
Another notable figure with the Moffo surname was Giuseppe Moffo, a military officer who served in the Sicilian army during the late 18th century. He participated in several campaigns against the French during the Napoleonic Wars and was awarded the title of Baron for his bravery and service.
In the 19th century, the Moffo name gained recognition through the works of the poet and playwright Salvatore Moffo, who was born in Palermo in 1820. His plays and poetry, often reflecting the cultural and social aspects of Sicilian life, were widely acclaimed during his lifetime.
Demographics
Ancestry and ethnicity for Moffo
Among Census respondents with the surname Moffo, the largest self-reported group is White at 96.5%. The next largest groups are Black (2.3%).
The bar chart below shows how Moffo 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 Moffo surname at the time of the 2010 Census, not any inherent property of the name itself.
- White96.5%
- Black or African American2.3%
- Unknown or suppressed1.2%
Year on year
2000 vs 2010 Census
How has the Moffo 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 | #66,676 | #74,141 | -11.2% |
| Count | 277 | 261 | -5.8% |
| Per 100K | 0.10 | 0.09 | -10.0% |
Between the 2000 and 2010 Census, the number of Moffo bearers went from 277 to 261 (-5.8% change). The surname moved down 7,465 positions in the national ranking, going from #66,676 to #74,141.
Notable bearers
Famous people with the surname Moffo
FAQ
Moffo surname: questions and answers
How common is the last name Moffo?
The surname Moffo holds position #74,141 in the US Census Bureau's surname ranking, with an estimated 308 living bearers. It occurs at a rate of 0.09 per 100,000 Americans.
What is the ethnic background of the Moffo surname?
Among Census respondents with the surname Moffo, the largest self-reported group is White at 96.5%. The next largest groups are Black (2.3%). 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.