Rhino last name popularity, history, and meaning

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

Meaning of Rhino

A surname likely derived from the rhinoceros animal, possibly indicating a symbolism or association.

Rhino, 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 Rhino surname is from the 2000 census data.

Popularity of Rhino in America

Rhino is the 146011th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Rhino surname appeared 104 times in the 2000 census and if you were to sample 100,000 people in the United States, approximately 0 people would have the surname Rhino.

The history of the last name Rhino

The surname Rhino has an intriguing and multifaceted history that takes us back to ancient origins. It is believed to have originated in Italy, particularly in the regions of Tuscany and Lazio, during the late Middle Ages around the 12th or 13th century. The name is likely derived from the Italian word "rino," which itself comes from the Greek "rhinos," meaning nose, but its usage traditionally relates to the names of animals, particularly the rhinoceros, known for its prominent horn.

In Italy, the name appeared in various forms and spellings in old records, such as "Rino," "Rhinos," and "di Rino." Manuscripts and church records from the 14th century in cities like Florence and Rome frequently mention individuals bearing this surname. One of the earliest documented references to the surname was found in a 1298 record in Florence, belonging to a merchant named Giovanni di Rino.

One of the notable figures in early history with this surname was Pietro Rhino, born in Tuscany in 1402. He was a well-regarded scholar and a member of the Florentine intellectual circles. Another important mention is that of Antonio Rhino, born in Rome in 1475, who was a renowned painter and contributed significantly to Renaissance art.

During the 16th century, the name Rhino appeared in several legal documents and marriage registries in Northern Italy. Records from 1523 mention a Luca Rhino, a wealthy landowner in the region of Lombardy. Additionally, the name was associated with clerical positions within the church, as evidenced by a document from 1587 referring to Father Marco Rhino, a priest in Milan.

By the 17th century, the name had spread beyond Italy, appearing in Swiss and German records due to migration. In 1610, a Swiss record notes Hans Rhino, a merchant who settled in Zurich. Notably, the surname also appears in maritime logs and travel journals, indicating the movement of families and individuals bearing the name across Europe.

One of the later historical figures with this surname was Maria Elisa Rhino, born in 1693 in Venice, known for her poetry and literary contributions in the early 18th century. Her works largely reflect the cultural and social dynamics of her time, and some of her manuscripts are preserved in Venetian libraries.

The surname Rhino encapsulates a rich historical tapestry, reflecting its deep roots in Italian culture and its spread across Europe through various migrations and social changes over several centuries. It is a testament to the enduring legacy of familial names and their evolution over time.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Rhino

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

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 2000 census data, the race/ethnic origin breakdown for Rhino was:

Race/Ethnicity Percentage Total Occurrences
Non-Hispanic White Only 73.08% 76
Non-Hispanic Black Only 13.46% 14
Non-Hispanic Asian and Pacific Islander Only (S)% (S)
Non-Hispanic American Indian and Alaskan Native (S)% (S)
Non-Hispanic of Two or More Races 5.77% 6
Hispanic Origin 6.73% 7

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.

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

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

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"Rhino last name popularity, history, and meaning". NameCensus.com. Accessed on May 3, 2025. http://namecensus.com/last-names/rhino-surname-popularity/.

"Rhino last name popularity, history, and meaning". NameCensus.com, http://namecensus.com/last-names/rhino-surname-popularity/. Accessed 3 May, 2025

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

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