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

Zippo, 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 Zippo surname is from the 2000 census data.

Popularity of Zippo in America

Zippo is the 134037th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Zippo surname appeared 116 times in the 2000 census and if you were to sample 100,000 people in the United States, approximately 0 people would have the surname Zippo.

The history of the last name Zippo

The surname Zippo finds its origins in Italy, particularly in the southern regions like Calabria and Sicily. The earliest records of the surname date back to the medieval period, around the 12th century. It is thought to be derived from a local dialect word, possibly related to the Italian word "zoppo," meaning lame or crippled, which in turn comes from the Latin "zoppus." The term may originally have been a nickname describing a physical characteristic before evolving into a hereditary surname.

Historical references to the surname Zippo appear in various documents of the time. The name is found in church records, land deeds, and other manuscripts. One of the earliest known records comes from a 1274 manuscript in Calabria, where a certain Giovanni Zippo was listed as a landowner. Such documentation highlights the presence of the name in official records and suggests the family's relative prominence in medieval Italian society.

In the 15th century, historical texts reveal another significant figure, Lorenzo Zippo, born in 1432 and recorded as a skilled merchant involved in trade with Mediterranean countries. Lorenzo's activities are documented in Venetian commercial records, indicating his dealings with various ports and cities, adding a layer of economic history to the lineage of the name.

By the 17th century, another notable individual with the surname appears: Donato Zippo, a local magistrate in the region of Calabria. Donato's tenure as magistrate is recorded in municipal archives dated 1657. His contributions to local governance during a turbulent period in Italian history underline the surname's historical significance and its bearers' involvement in public service.

In the early 19th century, the Zippo family saw Giuseppe Zippo, born in 1815, gaining prominence as an artist known for his religious frescoes in churches throughout Sicily. Giuseppe's works were celebrated for their vibrant colors and detailed religious iconography, contributing to the cultural and artistic heritage associated with the name.

Another notable figure in the 19th century was Maria Zippo, who lived between 1834 and 1892. Maria was a pioneering educator in Naples, establishing one of the first schools for girls in the region. Her efforts in advancing women's education were widely recognized, and her legacy continued through numerous students who broke traditional societal barriers.

Throughout its history, the surname Zippo has been associated with various fields, from trade and governance to art and education. Each bearer added a unique chapter to the rich tapestry of this Italian surname, highlighting its cultural and historical significance.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Zippo

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

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 2000 census data, the race/ethnic origin breakdown for Zippo 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.

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

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

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