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

Rufo, 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 Rufo surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Rufo in America

Rufo is the 20421st most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Rufo surname appeared 1,301 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 Rufo.

We can also compare 2010 data for Rufo 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 Rufo

The surname Rufo has its origins in Italy, dating back to the Middle Ages. It is derived from the Latin word "rufus," meaning "red-haired" or "ruddy-complexioned." This suggests that the name was likely given as a descriptive nickname to someone with reddish hair or a reddish complexion.

The earliest recorded instances of the name Rufo can be found in various Italian historical documents and records from the 12th and 13th centuries. One notable example is the Codice Diplomatico Barese, a collection of medieval documents from the city of Bari, which mentions several individuals with the surname Rufo.

In the 14th century, the name Rufo appeared in the Libro Rosso, a historical record from the city of Genoa, where it was often associated with noble families and individuals of status. This suggests that the name had gained a certain prominence and recognition in the region.

Over the centuries, variations of the name emerged, such as Ruffo, Ruffi, and Ruffini, with the latter two being more common in northern Italy. These variations likely arose due to regional dialects and spelling differences.

One of the earliest known bearers of the surname Rufo was Rufo da Vigevano, a 13th-century Italian philosopher and theologian. Another notable figure was Fabrizio Rufo, a 16th-century Italian architect and military engineer who was involved in the construction of several important fortifications and buildings in Naples.

In the 17th century, Girolamo Rufo, an Italian composer and organist, gained recognition for his contributions to sacred music. His compositions were widely performed in churches throughout Italy during his lifetime.

Moving into the 18th century, Niccolò Rufo was a prominent Italian sculptor whose works can be found in various churches and public spaces in Naples and its surrounding areas.

Lastly, in the 19th century, Luigi Rufo was an Italian politician and lawyer who served as a member of the Chamber of Deputies, representing the city of Catania in the Kingdom of Italy.

These are just a few examples of individuals who have carried the surname Rufo throughout history, showcasing its enduring presence and the diverse fields in which bearers of this name have made their mark.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Rufo

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

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

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

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