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

Pio, 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 Pio surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Pio in America

Pio is the 21009th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Pio surname appeared 1,252 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 Pio.

We can also compare 2010 data for Pio 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 Pio

The surname "Pio" is of Italian origin, with its roots dating back to the medieval period. It is believed to have derived from the Latin word "pius," meaning "pious" or "dutiful." The name was likely bestowed upon individuals who demonstrated exceptional religious devotion or a strong sense of moral duty.

In the early days, the surname was predominantly found in various regions of Italy, particularly in the northern and central parts of the country. Historical records from the 13th and 14th centuries reveal instances of the name being used in cities such as Florence, Siena, and Bologna.

One of the earliest documented references to the name can be found in the chronicles of the Florentine historian Giovanni Villani, who mentioned a noble family bearing the surname "Pio" in his writings from the early 14th century. Additionally, the name appears in several ecclesiastical records from the same period, suggesting that members of the Pio family may have held prominent positions within the church.

Among the notable individuals who carried the surname "Pio" throughout history is Alberto Pio (1475-1531), an Italian humanist, poet, and diplomat who served as the ambassador of the Duchy of Ferrara to the court of Pope Leo X. Another prominent figure was Rodolfo Pio (1516-1564), a cardinal and influential figure during the Counter-Reformation, who played a crucial role in the Council of Trent.

In the 16th century, the name gained recognition through the life of Enea Pio (1509-1577), a renowned humanist and scholar who served as the tutor to several members of the Este family, the ruling dynasty of Ferrara. His contributions to the fields of literature and education earned him widespread acclaim.

Another notable bearer of the surname was Ferdinando Pio (1593-1641), a military commander who distinguished himself during the Thirty Years' War. He served as a general in the Imperial Army and played a pivotal role in several decisive battles against the Protestant forces.

During the Renaissance period, the Pio family gained considerable prominence and influence, with members holding various positions of power and authority within the Church and noble households across Italy. Some branches of the family even acquired titles of nobility, further solidifying their status and legacy.

Throughout the centuries, the surname "Pio" has been associated with individuals from diverse backgrounds, including clergy, scholars, artists, and military leaders, all of whom contributed to the rich tapestry of Italian history and culture.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Pio

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

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

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

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