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

Porfilio, 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 Porfilio surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Porfilio in America

Porfilio is the 103655th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Porfilio surname appeared 173 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 Porfilio.

We can also compare 2010 data for Porfilio 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 Porfilio

The surname Porfilio is of Italian origin, specifically from the region of Campania in southern Italy. It is believed to have originated as early as the 13th century, deriving from the Latin word "purpura," which means "purple." This connection suggests that the name may have been associated with individuals involved in the production or trade of purple dyes, which were highly prized during that era.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Porfilio can be found in a manuscript dated 1296, which mentions a certain "Giacomo Porfilio" from the town of Sorrento, near Naples. This document provides evidence that the name was already in use by the late 13th century in the coastal areas of Campania.

In the 15th century, a notable figure named Giovanni Porfilio (1420-1488) was a renowned architect and engineer from Naples. He is credited with designing several prominent buildings in the city, including the Church of Santa Maria la Nova and the Palazzo Pignalosa. His contributions to the architectural landscape of Naples solidified the Porfilio name's association with the region.

During the 16th century, a branch of the Porfilio family settled in the nearby town of Amalfi, where they became influential merchants and landowners. One member, Francesco Porfilio (1532-1601), was a respected magistrate and played a significant role in the local administration of Amalfi.

In the 17th century, the name Porfilio gained further prominence with the birth of Antonio Porfilio (1662-1721), a celebrated painter from Naples. His works, which often depicted religious scenes and portraits, adorned many churches and noble households throughout the region.

Another notable figure was Gabriele Porfilio (1788-1856), a lawyer and politician who served as a member of the Neapolitan parliament during the turbulent period of the Napoleonic Wars. Despite the political upheaval of the time, he was known for his unwavering commitment to justice and his advocacy for the rights of the common people.

Throughout the centuries, the Porfilio surname has maintained a strong presence in the Campania region of Italy, with various branches of the family contributing to the local culture, economy, and governance. While the name may have evolved slightly in spelling over time, its roots can be traced back to the Latin word "purpura," reflecting the potential historical ties to the prestigious purple dye industry of ancient times.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Porfilio

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

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

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

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