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

Zarro, 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 Zarro surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Zarro in America

Zarro is the 46568th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Zarro surname appeared 457 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 Zarro.

We can also compare 2010 data for Zarro 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 Zarro

The surname Zarro is believed to have its origins in the southern regions of Italy, particularly Sicily and the surrounding areas. This surname likely emerged during the Middle Ages, around the 13th to 14th centuries. Southern Italy during this time was a melting pot of various cultures including Norman, Arab, and Byzantine influences which all contributed to local nomenclature.

The name Zarro may be derived from the Italian word "zarro," which historically could relate to agricultural work or people residing near a specific type of land. Alternatively, it could be linked to the Arabic term "zahr," meaning flower, which would be logical considering the Arabian influence in Sicily during the time of Arab rule. These connotations suggest that the name could initially have been a nickname for individuals living close to floral landscapes or involved in cultivating flowers.

Historical references to the surname Zarro can be found in various manuscripts and ecclesiastical records from southern Italy. For example, church registers from the late 1500s indicate the presence of the Zarro family in small Sicilian villages, often in the context of baptisms and marriages. These records provide a glimpse into the life and societal contributions of people bearing this surname.

The earliest recorded example of the name appears in parish records in Palermo dating back to 1574, where a Domenico Zarro is listed as a landowner. This demonstrates the established presence of the Zarro surname within the community. Similarly, during the tax assessments of 1601, a Giovanni Zarro is noted as a merchant in Messina, indicating the family’s involvement in trade and local economy.

Famous individuals bearing the Zarro surname have appeared throughout history. One notable figure is Gaetano Zarro, born in 1682, an illustrious Sicilian sculptor whose works can still be seen in various churches around Palermo. Another distinguished person is Angela Zarro, born in 1764, a renowned midwife in Naples, celebrated for her contributions to early obstetrics. The patriotic figure Vincenzo Zarro, born in 1819, played a significant role in the Italian unification efforts in the mid-19th century.

Among the 20th century figures, there is Antonio Zarro, born in 1925, a notable academic who made substantial contributions to the study of Sicilian history. Additionally, Maria Elena Zarro, born in 1898, became an influential advocate for women's rights in Italy, her activism playing a crucial part during the early stages of the feminist movements in Europe.

The surname Zarro continues to be carried by descendants who are proud of their rich, historical lineage, leaving a legacy that echoes through the annals of Italian history.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Zarro

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

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

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

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