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

Velo, 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 Velo surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Velo in America

Velo is the 32676th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Velo surname appeared 703 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 Velo.

We can also compare 2010 data for Velo 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 Velo

The surname Velo traces its origins to Italy, with the earliest records dating back to the late 15th century. It is believed to be derived from the Italian word "velo," meaning "veil" or "sail," suggesting that the name may have been associated with professions or trades related to textiles or maritime activities.

One of the earliest known references to the surname Velo can be found in the historical records of the Republic of Venice, where a merchant named Giovanni Velo was documented in 1487. This record provides insight into the possible roots of the name in the thriving maritime and trade centers of Italy during the Renaissance period.

In the 16th century, the Velo family gained prominence in the city of Padua, where they were known for their involvement in the textile industry. Records from this time indicate that a branch of the family, led by Matteo Velo, established a successful weaving business, contributing to the region's renowned textile production.

As the surname spread across Italy, variations in spelling emerged, including Vello, Velli, and Vela. These variations reflect the fluid nature of surname spellings in the past, often influenced by regional dialects and scribal preferences.

Notable individuals bearing the surname Velo throughout history include:

1. Pietro Velo (1499-1572), a renowned Venetian architect who designed several notable buildings in Venice, including the Church of San Giorgio dei Greci.
2. Girolamo Velo (1558-1630), an Italian painter and engraver from Padua, known for his religious artwork and portraiture.
3. Giulia Velo (1648-1722), a celebrated Italian operatic soprano who performed in many of the major opera houses of Europe during the Baroque era.
4. Carlo Velo (1784-1859), an Italian mathematician and engineer who made significant contributions to the field of hydraulics and the design of water distribution systems.
5. Antonio Velo (1892-1967), an Italian sculptor and artist known for his monumental public works and sculptures adorning several churches and public buildings in Rome and Milan.

While the surname Velo has its roots in Italy, it has since spread to various parts of the world, carried by Italian immigrants and their descendants. However, the detailed history and earliest recorded instances of this surname remain firmly rooted in the Italian peninsula, reflecting the rich cultural and professional traditions associated with this name.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Velo

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

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

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

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