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

Runco, 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 Runco surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Runco in America

Runco is the 38691st most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Runco surname appeared 571 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 Runco.

We can also compare 2010 data for Runco 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 Runco

The surname Runco is of Italian origin and traces its roots back to the 14th century in the region of Calabria, located in the southern part of the Italian peninsula. It is believed to have derived from the Italian word "ronco," which means "uncultivated or rough land." This suggests that the name may have originated from a family that lived or worked on rugged, untamed lands.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Runco can be found in the historic documents of the town of Rende, in the province of Cosenza, Calabria. In a legal record dated 1381, a certain Nicola Runco is mentioned as a landowner in the area. This provides evidence that the name was already well-established in the region by the late 14th century.

Throughout the centuries, variations of the spelling emerged, such as Rungo, Ronco, and Ronchio. These variations were often influenced by regional dialects and local pronunciation. However, the core form of Runco remained a prominent spelling across Calabria and other parts of southern Italy.

One notable figure bearing the Runco surname was Vincenzo Runco, a philosopher and theologian who lived in the late 16th and early 17th centuries. He was born in Reggio Calabria in 1572 and is remembered for his scholarly works on theology and ethics, including "Tractatus de Virtutibus et Vitiis" (Treatise on Virtues and Vices), published in 1618.

Another prominent individual with the Runco surname was Giuseppe Runco, an Italian painter and sculptor from the 18th century. Born in Palmi, Calabria, in 1713, he is known for his religious works, including altarpieces and sculptures that adorned various churches in southern Italy.

In the 19th century, Girolamo Runco, born in Catanzaro, Calabria, in 1824, gained recognition as a talented poet and writer. His collection of poems, titled "Rime Calabresi" (Calabrian Rhymes), published in 1861, celebrated the beauty and culture of his native region.

Crossing into the 20th century, Vincenzo Runco, born in Naples in 1908, made his mark as a renowned architect. He is particularly celebrated for his work in the reconstruction and restoration of many historic buildings in Naples and the surrounding areas after the devastation of World War II.

Lastly, it is worth mentioning Antonio Runco, a contemporary Italian businessman and entrepreneur born in Reggio Calabria in 1962. He founded a successful manufacturing company specializing in high-quality furniture and interior design products, which has gained international recognition.

While the Runco surname has its roots firmly planted in southern Italy, particularly in the region of Calabria, it has also spread to other parts of the world through immigration. However, its rich history and connection to the rugged landscapes of its origin remain an integral part of its legacy.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Runco

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

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

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

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