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

Zerillo, 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 Zerillo surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Zerillo in America

Zerillo is the 73911th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Zerillo surname appeared 262 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 Zerillo.

We can also compare 2010 data for Zerillo 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 Zerillo

The surname Zerillo originates from Italy, specifically the southern regions, where it has been most frequently documented. The name is believed to have emerged during the Middle Ages, a period marked by the development of family surnames as a means of distinguishing between individuals in larger communities.

Zerillo is derived from a combination of Italian linguistic elements. The name likely stems from an old Italian word "zèro" or "serro", both of which have meanings related to hills or ridges. These words are drawn from the Latin "serra", which signifies a saw or serrated shapes, suggesting a geographic connection to hilly or mountainous regions. The addition of "illo" is a diminutive suffix in Italian, indicating a smaller version or perhaps a term of endearment.

The name Zerillo appears in historical records in various forms, including Serillo or Zerrillo, which helps to understand its phonetic evolution over time. One of the earliest mentions can be found in ecclesiastical records from the 15th century, such as baptismal registers from smaller towns in Calabria and Campania. These documents often listed families by surname for the first time, making Zerillo traceable in Italian genealogical history.

In literary records, an early notable mention is Giacomo Zerillo, a writer and scribe from Naples, who lived in the late 16th century until his death in 1620. He was known for his contributions to local chronicles, though many of his works did not survive the passage of time. His writings offer a glimpse into the societal and cultural fabric of Renaissance Italy.

Another significant individual bearing the surname was Father Giovanni Zerillo, a Franciscan monk born in 1687 who dedicated his life to teaching and religious duties in Calabria. His theological writings and correspondence with the Vatican provided insights into the Catholic Church's influence in southern Italy during the early 18th century.

In more recent history, Angelo Zerillo, born in 1823, became a reputable figure in local politics in Bari, serving as a mayor during the late 19th century. His leadership was instrumental in several civic developments, including the modernization of infrastructure and public health initiatives. His legacy is preserved in municipal records and several local landmarks named in his honor.

Moving into the 20th century, Maria Zerillo, born in 1910 in Palermo, became a recognized artist known for her avant-garde works and contributions to the Italian modernist movement. Her exhibitions garnered international attention and positioned her as a prominent female figure in the arts during her time.

Lastly, Francesco Zerillo, a resistance fighter during World War II, showcased remarkable bravery. Born in 1921, he participated in the Italian Resistance against the fascist regime and the Nazi occupation. His actions were commemorated in various war memorial records, reflecting his contributions to Italy's liberation.

The surname Zerillo, thus, spans centuries of Italian history, with a lineage connected to distinct individuals who left their mark across various fields including literature, religion, politics, art, and military service. Each figure, with their unique endeavors, contributes to the rich tapestry encapsulated by this enduring surname.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Zerillo

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

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

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

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