Palmo last name popularity, history, and meaning

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

Meaning of Palmo

An occupational surname derived from the Italian word "palmo" meaning palm of the hand, likely referring to a hand-related trade or occupation.

Palmo, 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 Palmo surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Palmo in America

Palmo is the 70403rd most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Palmo surname appeared 278 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 Palmo.

We can also compare 2010 data for Palmo 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.

2010 2000 Change (%)
Rank 70403 80502 -13.38%
Count 278 219 23.74%
Proportion per 100k 0.09 0.08 11.76%

The history of the last name Palmo

The surname PALMO has its origins in Italy, specifically in the southern region of Campania. It is believed to have emerged during the 13th century, derived from the Italian word "palma," which means "palm tree." This suggests that the name may have been initially associated with individuals living in areas abundant with palm trees or engaged in trades related to palm products.

One of the earliest recorded mentions of the PALMO surname can be found in the records of the city of Naples, dating back to the late 15th century. In these historical documents, the name appears in various spellings, such as "Palmo," "Palmio," and "Palmino," reflecting the regional variations in pronunciation and spelling.

During the 16th century, the PALMO surname gained prominence in the town of Sorrento, located along the Amalfi Coast. Several notable individuals bearing this surname can be traced back to this period, including Girolamo Palmo (1520-1589), a renowned artist and sculptor who contributed significantly to the artistic heritage of the region.

In the 17th century, the PALMO family established a presence in the city of Salerno, where they played an influential role in local affairs. One notable figure from this era was Antonio Palmo (1640-1715), a prominent lawyer and judge who served in the high courts of the Kingdom of Naples.

As the PALMO surname spread throughout Italy, it also found its way into various historical records, such as church registers and municipal archives. One notable example is the inclusion of the name in the Catasto Onciario, a comprehensive land registry compiled in the late 18th century for the Kingdom of Naples.

In the 19th century, the PALMO surname gained international recognition with the birth of Raffaele Palmo (1810-1892), a renowned Italian botanist and naturalist. His contributions to the study of plant life and his extensive travels across Europe and the Mediterranean region brought him fame and recognition.

Another notable figure from this period was Giuseppe Palmo (1835-1917), a distinguished Italian painter known for his landscapes and portraits. His works can be found in various art galleries and museums throughout Italy, showcasing the artistic talent associated with the PALMO name.

As the PALMO surname continued to spread, it also found its way to other parts of the world through immigration. In the early 20th century, several individuals bearing this surname settled in various countries, including Argentina, where the PALMO family established a presence in the city of Buenos Aires.

Throughout its history, the PALMO surname has been carried by a diverse range of individuals, from artists and scholars to professionals and entrepreneurs, leaving an indelible mark on the cultural and intellectual landscape of Italy and beyond.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Palmo

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

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 Palmo was:

Race/Ethnicity Percentage Total Occurrences
Non-Hispanic White Only 48.20% 134
Non-Hispanic Black Only 13.67% 38
Non-Hispanic Asian and Pacific Islander Only 19.78% 55
Non-Hispanic American Indian and Alaskan Native (S)% (S)
Non-Hispanic of Two or More Races (S)% (S)
Hispanic Origin 17.99% 50

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 Palmo has changed in the 10 years between the two census surveys.

2010 2000 Change (%)
White 48.20% 58.90% -19.98%
Black 13.67% 14.61% -6.65%
Asian and Pacific Islander 19.78% 4.57% 124.93%
American Indian and Alaskan Native (S)% (S)% (S)%
Two or More Races (S)% (S)% (S)%
Hispanic 17.99% 21.46% -17.59%

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

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

Reference this page

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If you found the data or information on this page useful in your research, please use the tool below to properly cite or reference Name Census as the source. We appreciate your support!

"Palmo last name popularity, history, and meaning". NameCensus.com. Accessed on July 22, 2025. http://namecensus.com/last-names/palmo-surname-popularity/.

"Palmo last name popularity, history, and meaning". NameCensus.com, http://namecensus.com/last-names/palmo-surname-popularity/. Accessed 22 July, 2025

Palmo last name popularity, history, and meaning. NameCensus.com. Retrieved from http://namecensus.com/last-names/palmo-surname-popularity/.

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