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

Zarrillo, 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 Zarrillo surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Zarrillo in America

Zarrillo is the 98099th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Zarrillo surname appeared 185 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 Zarrillo.

We can also compare 2010 data for Zarrillo 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 Zarrillo

The surname Zarrillo has its roots in Italy, originating from the southern regions of the country, particularly from the areas in and around Calabria and Sicily. The name is believed to have emerged during the medieval period, around the 12th to 14th centuries. It is derived from the Italian word "zarra," which means a small war or skirmish, combined with the diminutive suffix "illo," indicating something small or young. This renders the surname Zarrillo to mean "little warrior" or "small skirmisher."

The surname appears in historical records dating back to the late Middle Ages. One notable early appearance of the name can be found in a 1447 municipal record from Palermo, Sicily, where a certain Giovanni Zarrillo is indicated to have been a landowner, suggesting the name was associated with individuals of some prominence. Another early reference is found in a 1502 tax record from Catanzaro, Calabria, listing a Matteo Zarrillo as a merchant. These records show that the name was not uncommon among individuals engaged in commerce and landholding.

One of the earliest recorded examples of the name is Giovanni Zarrillo (1442-1505), a noted landowner and merchant from Palermo. Historical manuscripts occasionally spell the name in variations such as Zarillo or Zarilli, reflecting regional dialects and orthographic practices of the period. Another historical figure with this surname, Pietro Zarrillo (1540-1601), was known to have served as a local magistrate in the region of Calabria, indicating that bearers of the name often held positions of authority and respect.

In the 17th century, the surname Zarrillo gained particular notoriety in the field of literature and the arts. Maria Zarrillo (1620-1685), a poet from Naples, published several volumes of poetry that contributed to the cultural tapestry of the era. Her works provide valuable insights into the social and cultural contexts of her time and highlight the intellectual contributions of women bearing this surname.

Moving into the 19th century, Gaetano Zarrillo (1799-1863) emerged as a significant figure in the realm of Italian unification. As a supporter of the Risorgimento, Gaetano played a crucial role in the movement striving for the unification of Italy, aligning himself with notable figures such as Garibaldi. His political activities and writings have been documented in various historical archives, painting a picture of a surname intertwined with Italy's quest for nationhood.

In the early 20th century, the name Zarrillo became associated with the performing arts. Frank Zarrillo (1894-1968), an Italian-American tenor, gained fame for his performances in opera houses across the United States, particularly in New York. His career contributed to the dissemination of Italian cultural heritage and highlighted the international presence of this surname.

Overall, the surname Zarrillo carries a rich history deeply rooted in the Italian medieval period and spread across various regions of southern Italy. It has been borne by individuals of significance in various fields such as landownership, literature, politics, and the arts. The surname's evolution in spelling and its presence in historical documents underscore its enduring legacy through centuries.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Zarrillo

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

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

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

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