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

Rapalo, 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 Rapalo surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Rapalo in America

Rapalo is the 34314th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Rapalo surname appeared 661 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 Rapalo.

We can also compare 2010 data for Rapalo 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 Rapalo

The surname Rapalo is believed to have originated in Italy, specifically in the region of Liguria, during the Middle Ages. It is derived from the Italian place name Rapallo, a coastal town situated on the Italian Riviera. The town's name is thought to have its roots in the Latin word "rupalis," meaning "rocky or rugged place," referring to the area's terrain.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Rapalo can be found in the "Codice Diplomatico della Repubblica di Genova," a collection of historical documents from the Republic of Genoa, dating back to the 12th century. This document mentions a certain "Guglielmo Rapalo," who lived in the town of Rapallo during that time period.

In the 14th century, records show that a nobleman named Niccolò Rapalo was a prominent figure in the Republic of Genoa. He held influential positions within the government and was involved in diplomatic missions to other Italian states.

During the Renaissance, a famous artist and architect named Gian Giacomo Rapalo flourished in Genoa. He was born in 1475 and is renowned for his contributions to the city's architectural landscape, including the design of several churches and palaces.

In the 17th century, a Genoese merchant named Andrea Rapalo established a successful trading company that operated throughout the Mediterranean region. His business ventures brought wealth and prominence to the Rapalo family name.

Another noteworthy individual with the surname Rapalo was Giuseppe Rapalo, a military officer who served in the Napoleonic Wars. Born in 1782, he rose through the ranks and was decorated for his valor on the battlefield.

Over the centuries, the Rapalo surname spread beyond the borders of Italy, as members of the family migrated to other parts of Europe and eventually to the Americas. However, its origins can be traced back to the picturesque town of Rapallo on the Italian Riviera, where the name's rich history began.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Rapalo

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

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

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

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