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

Zarbo, 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 Zarbo surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Zarbo in America

Zarbo is the 83226th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Zarbo surname appeared 226 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 Zarbo.

We can also compare 2010 data for Zarbo 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 Zarbo

Zarbo is a surname with roots in Italy, specifically Sicily, and its origins can be traced back to the medieval period. The earliest instances of this surname likely appeared around the 12th or 13th centuries when surnames began to be adopted widely for identification purposes. The name Zarbo could be derived from an ancient place name or a topographic feature, as many Italian surnames are.

The surname Zarbo may be connected to the ancient Sicilian town of Zarbis, which was mentioned by Ptolemy in his geographical writings during Roman times. Alternatively, it could originate from an old Sicilian word "zarba," meaning a type of reed or a marshy place—indicative of someone who lived near such features. Over time, Zarbo could have evolved phonetically from other historical Sicilian terms or names with similar roots.

Historical references to the name Zarbo are found in medieval records and manuscripts. For instance, in 1382, a document from the Sicilian town of Palermo mentions a Giovan Battista de Zarbo, suggesting the name was well established by the 14th century. Zarbo also appears in various ecclesiastical records of the period, indicating the presence of families bearing this surname in religious and community settings.

One of the earliest recorded examples of the surname Zarbo in detailed historical records is Don Pietro Zarbo, a nobleman from the 15th century, who held lands in the region around Catania. He was born circa 1430 and died in 1497. His contributions to local governance and church matters are documented in records from that era.

In the 17th century, Pietro Zarbo, an influential merchant, and trader based in Messina, became a notable figure. His trade connections across the Mediterranean elevated the status of the surname in commercial circles. He was born in 1602 and died in 1674, and his business dealings are noted in several port records from the time.

Another significant individual with this surname was Father Giovanni Zarbo, whom ecclesiastical records recognize for his contributions to theology and education during the early 18th century. Born in 1679 and dying in 1743, his work in monasteries and schools helped disseminate religious education in Sicily.

In the 19th century, Giuseppe Zarbo stands out as a renowned artist from Palermo, contributing significantly to the Italian artistic landscape of the time. Born in 1828 and passing away in 1891, his paintings and sculptures are still referenced in art history texts and are preserved in several Italian museums.

Finally, in the late 19th century, Maria Zarbo, an early political activist advocating for women's rights in Sicily, left an indelible mark on social movements in the region. Born in 1860 and dying in 1925, her writings and speeches are documented in early feminist literature and archives.

Throughout history, the Zarbo surname has been associated with various notable individuals contributing to different facets of society, from ecclesiastical affairs and commerce to art and social activism. This diversity further highlights the rich heritage encapsulated in the name Zarbo.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Zarbo

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

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

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

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