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

Zarrilli, 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 Zarrilli surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Zarrilli in America

Zarrilli is the 68122nd most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Zarrilli surname appeared 289 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 Zarrilli.

We can also compare 2010 data for Zarrilli 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 Zarrilli

The surname Zarrilli has its roots in Italy, originating from the southern regions of the country, particularly in areas such as Campania and Sicily. The name has ties to the Italian word "zarrillo," which could be a diminutive of "zarra," meaning a lock of hair or a tuft, perhaps indicating a characteristic of the original bearers of this name. This name is emblematic of the descriptive nicknames that were commonly used in medieval Italy.

The earliest historical references to the surname Zarrilli date back to the Middle Ages. Records from the 13th and 14th centuries in Southern Italian towns provide the first mentions of individuals bearing this surname. These records indicate that the name has been established in the region for several centuries, pointing to its longstanding presence in Italian history.

One notable individual from the early records is Giovanni Zarrilli, a merchant documented in Naples around 1350. His involvement in trade transactions reveals the economic activities of the Zarrilli family and their integration into the commercial life of Southern Italy during that period. Giovanni's records provide a glimpse into the familial and economic structures of medieval Italian society.

In the 16th century, Bartolomeo Zarrilli emerged as a significant figure. Born in 1503 in Amalfi, he was a distinguished navigator and explorer who contributed to the map-making efforts of the time. Bartolomeo's voyages and extensive travels underscore the adventurous spirit associated with the Zarrilli family name during the era of exploration and discovery.

The Zarrilli name continued to surface in historical records throughout the centuries. For instance, a legal document from 1724 in Palermo mentions Michele Zarrilli, a landowner and local administrator, who played a role in regional governance. His involvement in administrative affairs highlights the evolving social roles that members of the Zarrilli family assumed over time.

In the 19th century, another prominent figure, Gaetano Zarrilli, made significant contributions to the arts. Born in 1827 in Naples, Gaetano was a celebrated composer and musician, whose works gained recognition beyond Italy. His artistic legacy reflects the cultural richness intertwined with the Zarrilli name and its bearers' influence on Italian cultural heritage.

The Zarrilli surname has endured through countless generations, marking its presence in various domains such as commerce, exploration, governance, and the arts. The rich tapestry of its history provides profound insight into the lives, achievements, and contributions of those who carried this illustrious name. From Giovanni in the 14th century to Gaetano in the 19th century, the Zarrilli family has continually left their mark on Italian history.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Zarrilli

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

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

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

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