Turco
Of Turkish origin or descent, or someone from Turkey.
According to the 2010 US Census Bureau surname tables, roughly 2,776 Americans carry the last name Turco. That puts it at #12,916 in the national surname ranking, appearing at a frequency of 0.81 per 100,000 people (about 1 in 123,471 residents).
This page is the full Name Census profile for the Turco 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
2.8K
1 in 123,471
Census rank
#12,916
2010 decennial data
Per 100,000
0.8
Frequency rate
Recorded bearers
2.4K
rare in the US
Popularity narrative
The Census Bureau recorded 2,380 bearers of the surname Turco in its 2010 decennial surname file. At a rate of 0.81 per 100,000 residents, it holds the 12916th position in the national surname ranking.
Among Census respondents with the surname Turco, the largest self-reported group is White at 94.5%. The next largest groups are Hispanic (3.5%) and Asian/Pacific Islander (0.9%).
Origin
Meaning and origin of Turco
The surname Turco is believed to have originated in Italy, specifically in the regions of Tuscany and Emilia-Romagna. It likely emerged during the Middle Ages, possibly derived from the Italian word "turco," meaning a person of Turkish descent or someone associated with Turkey or the Ottoman Empire.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Turco can be found in the Florentine Codex, a 16th-century manuscript compiled by the Franciscan friar Bernardino de Sahagún, which contains accounts of the conquest of Mexico by the Spanish. This suggests that individuals with the surname Turco may have been involved in the Spanish exploration and colonization efforts in the Americas.
In the 15th century, a prominent figure named Giovanni Turco (born around 1430) was a renowned painter and architect from Cremona, Italy. He is recognized for his work on the Cremona Cathedral, where he designed the impressive façade and contributed to the interior decorations.
Another notable individual with the surname Turco was Vincenzo Turco (1638-1697), an Italian painter from the Baroque period. He was born in Cremona and gained recognition for his religious paintings and portraits, many of which can be found in churches and galleries across Italy.
In the late 18th century, a place name associated with the surname Turco emerged in Sicily. The town of Turco, now known as Turcomachia, was established in the province of Messina, possibly named after a family or individual with the Turco surname.
During the 19th century, a notable figure named Pietro Turco (1827-1892) was a prominent Italian politician and lawyer. He served as a deputy in the Parliament of the Kingdom of Italy and was actively involved in the country's political affairs during the Risorgimento period.
Another historical figure with the surname Turco was Pasquale Turco (1859-1926), an Italian anarchist and labor activist. He played a significant role in the early workers' rights movements in Italy and was known for his involvement in various labor strikes and protests.
Throughout history, the surname Turco has been associated with individuals from diverse backgrounds, including artists, architects, politicians, and activists. While its origins can be traced back to Italy, the name has since spread to other parts of the world, carried by Italian emigrants and their descendants.
Demographics
Ancestry and ethnicity for Turco
Among Census respondents with the surname Turco, the largest self-reported group is White at 94.5%. The next largest groups are Hispanic (3.5%) and Asian/Pacific Islander (0.9%).
The bar chart below shows how Turco 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 Turco surname at the time of the 2010 Census, not any inherent property of the name itself.
- White94.5%
- Hispanic or Latino3.5%
- Asian and Pacific Islander0.9%
- Two or more races0.6%
Year on year
2010 vs 2010 Census
How has the Turco 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 | 2010 | 2010 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rank | #12,916 | #12,916 | 0.0% |
| Count | 2,380 | 2,380 | 0.0% |
| Per 100K | 0.81 | 0.81 | 0.0% |
Between the 2010 and 2010 Census, the number of Turco bearers went from 2,380 to 2,380 (+0.0% change). The surname held its position in the national ranking, going from #12,916 to #12,916.
Notable bearers
Famous people with the surname Turco
FAQ
Turco surname: questions and answers
How common is the last name Turco?
The surname Turco holds position #12,916 in the US Census Bureau's surname ranking, with an estimated 2,776 living bearers. It occurs at a rate of 0.81 per 100,000 Americans.
What is the ethnic background of the Turco surname?
Among Census respondents with the surname Turco, the largest self-reported group is White at 94.5%. The next largest groups are Hispanic (3.5%) and Asian/Pacific Islander (0.9%). 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.