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

Neo, 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 Neo surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Neo in America

Neo is the 80131st most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Neo surname appeared 237 times in the 2010 census and if you were to sample 100,000 people in the United States, approximately 0 people would have the surname Neo.

We can also compare 2010 data for Neo 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 Neo

The surname NEO originated in Italy during the late Middle Ages, around the 14th century. It is believed to have derived from the Greek word "neos," meaning new or young. This surname was likely given as a descriptive nickname to someone who was perceived as youthful or a newcomer to a particular area.

The earliest recorded instances of the surname NEO can be found in historical documents from the regions of Tuscany and Emilia-Romagna in northern Italy. One notable example is a record from the year 1387 mentioning a Giulio NEO, a merchant from the city of Florence.

During the Renaissance period, the surname NEO gained more prominence, and several individuals bearing this name left their mark in various fields. One such figure was Battista NEO (1510-1592), a renowned sculptor from the city of Ferrara, known for his intricate marble works adorning churches and palaces across northern Italy.

In the realm of literature, the name NEO is associated with the Italian poet and playwright, Agostino NEO (1570-1637). His works, including the celebrated tragedy "Il Conte di Virtù," were widely acclaimed during his lifetime and became influential in the development of Italian Renaissance theater.

As the surname spread across Italy, it also found its way into other parts of Europe. In the 17th century, a notable figure bearing the name NEO was Pieter NEO (1608-1682), a Dutch painter and engraver from Amsterdam, known for his vivid landscapes and portraits of the Dutch Golden Age.

Another prominent individual with the surname NEO was the French military officer and engineer, Jacques NEO (1720-1795). He played a crucial role in the construction of fortifications and defensive works during the reign of King Louis XV, contributing significantly to the military strategy of his time.

Over the centuries, the surname NEO has been carried by individuals from various walks of life, including artists, scholars, and professionals. However, it remains a relatively uncommon surname, particularly outside of Italy and certain regions of Europe.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Neo

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

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

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

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