Palmeiro
A topographic surname referring to someone living near or among palm trees.
According to the 2010 US Census Bureau surname tables, roughly 137 Americans carry the last name Palmeiro. That puts it at #144,141 in the national surname ranking, appearing at a frequency of 0.04 per 100,000 people (about 1 in 2,501,856 residents).
This page is the full Name Census profile for the Palmeiro 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
137
1 in 2,501,856
Census rank
#144,141
2010 decennial data
Per 100,000
0.0
Frequency rate
Recorded bearers
115
very rare in the US
Popularity narrative
The Census Bureau recorded 115 bearers of the surname Palmeiro in its 2010 decennial surname file. At a rate of 0.04 per 100,000 residents, it holds the 144141st position in the national surname ranking.
Among Census respondents with the surname Palmeiro, the largest self-reported group is White at 48.7%. The next largest groups are Hispanic (47.0%).
Origin
Meaning and origin of Palmeiro
The surname Palmeiro originated in Portugal during the Middle Ages. It is derived from the Portuguese word "palmeira," which means "palm tree." This suggests that the name may have been initially given to someone who lived near a palm tree or a plantation of palm trees.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Palmeiro can be found in a document from the 14th century, which mentions a person named Afonso Palmeiro. This indicates that the name was already in use during that time period in Portugal.
In the 15th century, the name Palmeiro appeared in various historical records related to the Portuguese exploration and colonization of islands in the Atlantic Ocean, such as the Azores and Madeira. Some of these records mention individuals with the surname Palmeiro who were settlers or soldiers involved in these expeditions.
During the 16th century, as Portugal expanded its maritime empire, the name Palmeiro spread to other Portuguese colonies and territories, including Brazil. The name can be found in historical documents from that time period related to the colonization and administration of these regions.
One notable individual with the surname Palmeiro was João Palmeiro, a Portuguese explorer who was part of the expedition led by Pedro Álvares Cabral that discovered Brazil in 1500. João Palmeiro was born in the late 15th century and played a significant role in the early exploration and mapping of the Brazilian coast.
Another famous person with the surname Palmeiro was Pedro Palmeiro, a Portuguese poet and playwright who lived in the 16th century. He was born in Lisbon in 1537 and is known for his works that explored themes of love, religion, and social commentary.
In the 17th century, the name Palmeiro appears in records related to the Portuguese presence in Asia, particularly in territories such as Goa and Macau. For example, there are references to a Diogo Palmeiro who served as a military officer in Goa during the early 1600s.
As the Portuguese empire expanded and contracted over the centuries, the surname Palmeiro spread to various parts of the world, including Africa and other regions where Portuguese settlers and colonists established communities.
Demographics
Ancestry and ethnicity for Palmeiro
Among Census respondents with the surname Palmeiro, the largest self-reported group is White at 48.7%. The next largest groups are Hispanic (47.0%).
The bar chart below shows how Palmeiro 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 Palmeiro surname at the time of the 2010 Census, not any inherent property of the name itself.
- White48.7%
- Hispanic or Latino47.0%
Year on year
2010 vs 2010 Census
How has the Palmeiro 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 | #144,141 | #144,141 | 0.0% |
| Count | 115 | 115 | 0.0% |
| Per 100K | 0.04 | 0.04 | 0.0% |
Between the 2010 and 2010 Census, the number of Palmeiro bearers went from 115 to 115 (+0.0% change). The surname held its position in the national ranking, going from #144,141 to #144,141.
Notable bearers
Famous people with the surname Palmeiro
FAQ
Palmeiro surname: questions and answers
How common is the last name Palmeiro?
The surname Palmeiro holds position #144,141 in the US Census Bureau's surname ranking, with an estimated 137 living bearers. It occurs at a rate of 0.04 per 100,000 Americans.
What is the ethnic background of the Palmeiro surname?
Among Census respondents with the surname Palmeiro, the largest self-reported group is White at 48.7%. The next largest groups are Hispanic (47.0%). 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.