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

Zizzo, 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 Zizzo surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Zizzo in America

Zizzo is the 27228th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Zizzo surname appeared 888 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 Zizzo.

We can also compare 2010 data for Zizzo 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 Zizzo

The surname Zizzo traces its origins to Italy. Specifically, it hails from the southern regions of the country, particularly Sicily, Calabria, and Apulia, where Italian surnames often reflected household occupations, nicknames, and geographical distinctions. The name Zizzo is considered to be patronymic in nature, meaning it likely originated from a given name of an ancestor. It could be a diminutive form of the name "Francesco" or "Rizzo," or even rooted in the word "zizzu" from Sicilian dialect, meaning "curly hair." The range and variation of its spelling underscore the fluidity of surnames in early historical records.

One of the earliest recorded uses of the surname appears in medieval records. In the 13th century, Sicilian notary records include references to individuals with the surname Zizzo, Zizzu, or Di Zizzo. These records were instrumental in establishing the presence of the family name in the region. The surname appears occasionally in documents like wills and property listings throughout the Italian Renaissance, hinting at its continued use and the spread of the family name across southern Italy.

In the year 1493, Andrea Zizzo is recorded in archives from Trapani, a port city on the western coast of Sicily. This reference signifies the surname's presence and possibly Andrea's involvement in maritime trade, as Trapani was notorious for its bustling trade routes during that period. Another historical figure, Pietro Zizzo, born in Palermo around 1540, is noted for his involvement in lawmaking in local municipal records in the mid-16th century, reflecting a social status that allowed for civic participation.

During the 17th century, the surname begins to appear in ecclesiastical records. For instance, a baptismal record from 1625 mentions a Giovanni Zizzo in the small town of Polizzi Generosa. Giovanni's family was part of the agrarian community, indicating that the name was not only associated with urban trade and crafts but also with agricultural activities in rural Italy.

By the 18th century, members of the Zizzo family gained prominence in various professions. One notable figure is Maria Zizzo, born in 1762 in Calabria, who was known for her contributions to local educational initiates. Her efforts were chronicled in regional histories, highlighting the increasing role of women in public affairs during that era. Another historical figure, Luigi Zizzo, born in Naples in 1795, became recognized for his works in the field of medicine and his published treatises on diseases endemic to southern Italy.

As these records show, the surname Zizzo holds a rich tapestry of history, linked to several fields through different geographic locations within southern Italy. From maritime traders to lawmakers and educators, the name has been borne by individuals contributing to their local communities over several centuries.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Zizzo

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

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

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

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