Ruffalo
A surname likely derived from the Italian word "ruffalo" meaning a small stream or brook.
According to the 2010 US Census Bureau surname tables, roughly 788 Americans carry the last name Ruffalo. That puts it at #33,280 in the national surname ranking, appearing at a frequency of 0.23 per 100,000 people (about 1 in 434,967 residents).
This page is the full Name Census profile for the Ruffalo surname. You will find the Census Bureau frequency data, an ancestry and ethnicity breakdown based on self-reported demographics, the name's meaning and origin where available, and answers to the most common questions people ask about this surname.
Bearers in the US
788
1 in 434,967
Census rank
#33,280
2010 decennial data
Per 100,000
0.2
Frequency rate
Recorded bearers
687
very rare in the US
Popularity narrative
The Census Bureau recorded 687 bearers of the surname Ruffalo in its 2010 decennial surname file. At a rate of 0.23 per 100,000 residents, it holds the 33280th position in the national surname ranking.
Among Census respondents with the surname Ruffalo, the largest self-reported group is White at 93.5%. The next largest groups are Hispanic (4.5%) and Two or More Races (1.0%).
Origin
Meaning and origin of Ruffalo
The surname Ruffalo is of Italian origin, deriving from the region of Campania in southern Italy. It is believed to have emerged in the 14th century as a variation of the Italian word "ruffo," meaning "reddish" or "reddish-brown." This suggests that the name may have initially been bestowed upon someone with reddish hair or a ruddy complexion.
The earliest recorded instances of the name Ruffalo can be traced back to the town of Nola, located near Naples in the Campania region. In medieval records from the 1300s, variations such as "Ruffalus" and "Rufalo" can be found, indicating the name's evolution over time.
One notable historical figure bearing the Ruffalo surname was Pietro Ruffalo, a prominent merchant and banker who lived in Naples during the late 15th century. His business dealings and wealth made him a influential figure in the city's economic affairs.
In the 16th century, the name Ruffalo appeared in several historical documents related to the Kingdom of Naples, including tax records and property deeds. This suggests that the name had gained some prominence among the local population during this period.
Another notable individual with the Ruffalo surname was Gianfranco Ruffalo, a renowned artist and sculptor who lived in the city of Salerno in the 17th century. His works, which included intricate sculptures and religious art, can still be found in various churches and museums throughout the region.
In the 18th century, the name Ruffalo was also found in records from the town of Avellino, located in the neighboring Campania region. One such individual was Antonio Ruffalo, a respected lawyer and legal scholar who authored several influential texts on local laws and customs.
As the Ruffalo name spread throughout Italy and beyond, it encountered variations in spelling and pronunciation. In some regions, it was recorded as "Rufalo" or "Ruffalo," while in others, it took on forms such as "Ruffoli" or "Ruffali."
Throughout its history, the Ruffalo surname has maintained a strong association with its Italian roots, particularly in the Campania region. While the name has since spread to other parts of the world, its origins can be traced back to the reddish-hued landscapes and vibrant cultural heritage of southern Italy.
Demographics
Ancestry and ethnicity for Ruffalo
Among Census respondents with the surname Ruffalo, the largest self-reported group is White at 93.5%. The next largest groups are Hispanic (4.5%) and Two or More Races (1.0%).
The bar chart below shows how Ruffalo bearers described their own race and ethnicity on the 2010 Census form. The Census Bureau groups responses into six broad categories: White, Black or African American, Hispanic or Latino, Asian and Pacific Islander, American Indian and Alaska Native, and Two or More Races. When a category has too few respondents for a given surname, the Bureau suppresses the figure to protect individual privacy, which is why some names show fewer than six slices.
Keep in mind that these are self-reported numbers. A person's surname does not determine their race or ethnicity, and the distribution you see here reflects the specific population who happened to carry the Ruffalo surname at the time of the 2010 Census, not any inherent property of the name itself.
- White93.5%
- Hispanic or Latino4.5%
- Two or more races1.0%
- Black or African American0.7%
- Unknown or suppressed0.3%
Year on year
2000 vs 2010 Census
How has the Ruffalo surname changed between Census years? The chart shows bearer count side by side, and the table compares rank, count, and frequency.
Census year comparison
| Metric | 2000 | 2010 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rank | #32,652 | #33,280 | -1.9% |
| Count | 663 | 687 | 3.6% |
| Per 100K | 0.25 | 0.23 | -8.0% |
Between the 2000 and 2010 Census, the number of Ruffalo bearers went from 663 to 687 (+3.6% change). The surname moved down 628 positions in the national ranking, going from #32,652 to #33,280.
Notable bearers
Famous people with the surname Ruffalo
FAQ
Ruffalo surname: questions and answers
How common is the last name Ruffalo?
The surname Ruffalo holds position #33,280 in the US Census Bureau's surname ranking, with an estimated 788 living bearers. It occurs at a rate of 0.23 per 100,000 Americans.
What is the ethnic background of the Ruffalo surname?
Among Census respondents with the surname Ruffalo, the largest self-reported group is White at 93.5%. The next largest groups are Hispanic (4.5%) and Two or More Races (1.0%). These figures come from the 2010 Census Bureau surname tables, based on how respondents described their own race and ethnicity.
Where does this surname data come from?
All surname statistics on Name Census are drawn from the US Census Bureau's decennial surname frequency tables. These tables list every surname that appeared 100 or more times in the 2010 Census, along with a frequency rate and self-reported demographic breakdown. You can read the full explanation on our methodology page.