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

Serpico, 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 Serpico surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Serpico in America

Serpico is the 27869th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Serpico surname appeared 861 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 Serpico.

We can also compare 2010 data for Serpico 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 Serpico

The surname Serpico originated in Italy, specifically in the regions of Campania and Calabria. It is believed to have derived from the Latin word "serpens," meaning snake or serpent, with the addition of the suffix "-ico" denoting a relationship or belonging. The earliest recorded instances of the name can be traced back to the 12th century.

During the medieval period, the Serpico family held significant influence and power in the southern Italian regions. Historical records indicate that members of the family were involved in various feudal disputes and political conflicts, often aligning themselves with prominent noble houses of the time.

One notable figure bearing the Serpico name was Giacomo Serpico, a renowned scholar and philosopher who lived in the 15th century (1420-1492). He was highly respected for his contributions to the study of classical literature and his innovative teachings at the University of Naples.

In the 16th century, the Serpico family expanded their reach and established branches in other parts of Italy, including Sicily and Tuscany. During this period, several members of the family distinguished themselves in various fields, such as law, medicine, and the arts.

One such individual was Antonio Serpico (1523-1598), a celebrated painter and fresco artist who worked on numerous commissions for churches and noble families throughout Italy. His masterpieces can still be admired in various cities, including Rome, Florence, and Naples.

Another notable figure was Giulia Serpico (1568-1641), a prominent jurist and legal scholar who gained recognition for her expertise in civil and canon law. Her writings and legal opinions were highly regarded by her contemporaries and influenced the development of Italian jurisprudence.

In the 18th century, the Serpico family continued to flourish, producing several notable figures in the fields of literature and academia. One such individual was Carlo Serpico (1712-1781), a celebrated poet and playwright whose works were widely performed and acclaimed across Italy.

Throughout history, the surname Serpico has also been associated with various place names, such as Serpico di Basilicata, a small town in the southern Italian region of Basilicata, and Serpico di Puglia, a village located in the province of Bari, Puglia.

In more recent times, the surname Serpico gained international recognition due to Frank Serpico (1936-2017), an American police officer who became famous for exposing corruption within the New York City Police Department in the late 1960s and early 1970s. His actions and bravery inspired the 1973 film "Serpico," starring Al Pacino in the titular role.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Serpico

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

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

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

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