Virelli last name popularity, history, and meaning

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

Meaning of Virelli

A surname derived from an Italian place name or descriptive nickname.

Virelli, 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 Virelli surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Virelli in America

Virelli is the 159712th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Virelli surname appeared 101 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 Virelli.

The history of the last name Virelli

The Virelli surname is of Italian origin, with its roots tracing back to the medieval era around the 13th century. It is believed to have originated from the northern regions of Italy, particularly in areas such as Lombardy and Piedmont.

One theory suggests that the name Virelli derives from the Latin word "virilis," meaning "manly" or "courageous." This could indicate that the name was initially bestowed upon an individual who displayed characteristics associated with bravery or strength.

Another possible origin of the surname Virelli is that it may have been a locational name, referring to a specific place or region in Italy. Some historical records indicate that variations of the name, such as "Virell" or "Virelle," were used to identify individuals from certain towns or villages.

Early records mentioning individuals with the Virelli surname can be found in various historical documents from the 14th and 15th centuries. For instance, a notable figure named Giovanni Virelli was a respected merchant and banker who lived in Milan during the late 1400s.

In the 16th century, a prominent family bearing the Virelli name resided in the city of Turin, where they were involved in the textile trade. One member, Francesco Virelli (1520-1589), gained recognition for his skilled craftsmanship and innovative techniques in weaving.

During the Renaissance period, the Virelli surname was also documented in regions of central Italy, such as Tuscany and Umbria. A notable figure from this era was the artist Giacomo Virelli (1540-1612), who was renowned for his frescoes and murals adorning various churches and palaces in Florence.

As the Virelli surname spread throughout Italy, it was sometimes adapted to reflect local dialects or spellings. For example, the variation "Virell" was more common in the Veneto region, while "Virelle" was used in southern Italy.

In the 18th century, a notable bearer of the Virelli name was Antonio Virelli (1725-1789), a respected scholar and philosopher from Naples. His works on ethics and political theory garnered significant acclaim during the Enlightenment period.

Throughout history, the Virelli surname has been associated with individuals from diverse backgrounds, including artists, merchants, scholars, and professionals. While the name may have evolved and adapted over time, its Italian roots and heritage remain firmly established.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Virelli

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

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 Virelli was:

Race/Ethnicity Percentage Total Occurrences
Non-Hispanic White Only 100.00% 101
Non-Hispanic Black Only 0.00% 0
Non-Hispanic Asian and Pacific Islander Only 0.00% 0
Non-Hispanic American Indian and Alaskan Native 0.00% 0
Non-Hispanic of Two or More Races 0.00% 0
Hispanic Origin 0.00% 0

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.

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

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

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"Virelli last name popularity, history, and meaning". NameCensus.com. Accessed on May 31, 2025. http://namecensus.com/last-names/virelli-surname-popularity/.

"Virelli last name popularity, history, and meaning". NameCensus.com, http://namecensus.com/last-names/virelli-surname-popularity/. Accessed 31 May, 2025

Virelli last name popularity, history, and meaning. NameCensus.com. Retrieved from http://namecensus.com/last-names/virelli-surname-popularity/.

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