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

Zurlo, 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 Zurlo surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Zurlo in America

Zurlo is the 50275th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Zurlo surname appeared 416 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 Zurlo.

We can also compare 2010 data for Zurlo 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 Zurlo

The surname Zurlo originates from Italy, dating back to the medieval period. This name is predominantly found in the southern regions of Italy, particularly in the areas of Campania and Calabria. The surname is believed to derive from a nickname based on either physical characteristics or personal attributes, a common practice in medieval Italian naming conventions.

Zurlo might be derived from an old Italian word "zurolo," which means a small cylindrical object or a bung, possibly metaphorically describing someone small in stature or considered an indispensable person in a particular task. Variations of the surname have appeared in ancient texts and manuscripts, sometimes spelled as Zurlio or Zurli.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the surname is from a 13th-century document from the Campania region, where a certain Giovanni Zurlo is mentioned. Giovanni was known for his contributions to the local agriculture system, having introduced innovative irrigation techniques that significantly improved crop yields in the region.

In 1567, the surname appears again in historical records with Paolo Zurlo, a renowned merchant from Naples. Paolo was known for establishing trade routes between southern Italy and North Africa, making significant contributions to the economy. His efforts in trade expansion made the surname prominent among the merchant class of the time.

Another notable figure was Francesco Zurlo, born in 1758, a prominent artist from Calabria who influenced the Baroque art movement in the region. His works, characterized by dramatic intensity and vibrant colors, were significant in the development of southern Italian Baroque art during the late 18th century.

The name continued to be significant in the 19th century with Maria Zurlo, a philanthropist born in 1823. She was well-known for her charitable work in Naples, where she established several orphanages and schools for underprivileged children. Her efforts were widely recognized, and her legacy continues in the charitable institutions she founded.

In the 20th century, the surname maintained its prominence with figures like Luigi Zurlo, a respected journalist born in 1901. Luigi's investigative reporting during the tumultuous years of World War II brought critical issues to light, earning him a reputation for integrity and bravery in journalism.

Throughout history, the surname Zurlo has been associated with various professions and achievements, reflecting the diverse contributions of individuals bearing this name to Italian society. Its origins and historical significance remain rooted in the culture and heritage of southern Italy, continuing to be a name of interest for genealogists and historians alike.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Zurlo

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

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

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

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