The surname Decaro has Italian origins. It is derived from the given name "Carlo," which means "man" or "free man" in Germanic languages, and was a popular name among Italians during the Middle Ages. The suffix "de" in this case indicates that the original bearer of the name was likely a citizen (a free person) from a specific town or region, in this case probably from a place named Caro. In Italy, many surnames are formed by adding a geographical prefix to a given name, thus indicating where the original bearer hailed from.
Learn more about the origin of the last name Decaro
The meaning and origin of the last name Decaro
The surname Decaro originates from Italy, specifically the Southern region of Apulia, where it is believed to have been first used as a nickname. The name Decaro is derived from the Italian word "decaro," meaning "dear" or "beloved." Over time, this term of endearment evolved into a surname, indicating that the bearer was held in high esteem by their community. It is worth noting that the spelling and pronunciation of Italian surnames can vary greatly due to regional dialects and historical changes in orthography. The Decaro family name can be found throughout Italy today, with many descendants migrating to other parts of Europe, North and South America, and Australia over centuries.
Geographical distribution of the last name Decaro
The surname Decaro has its origins primarily in Italy, specifically in regions such as Calabria and Sicily. These are two southern regions with significant historical influences from Greek, Roman, and Norman periods, which might explain the antiquity and prevalence of this name in those areas. Over time, emigration patterns have led to a dispersal of people bearing the Decaro surname to other parts of Italy and beyond. In North America, particularly in Canada and the United States, there are notable populations with the last name Decaro, largely due to Italian immigration during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Other countries with a substantial presence of people with the surname Decaro include Australia, Argentina, Brazil, and France, as a result of migration waves from Italy.
Variants and spellings of the last name Decaro
The surname Decaro has several variations and spellings due to differences in regional pronunciation, transcription errors, and family lineage. Some common variants include: DeCara, DiCarlo, De Caro, DiCaro, De Kara, and DeKarlo. Additionally, slight alterations such as adding or removing an "e" can be found with the spellings Decarro, De Caro, D'Ecaro, etc. It is important to note that these variations do not necessarily indicate different families or lineages, but rather differences in how the name has been passed down and recorded over time. The surname Decaro originates from Italy, specifically the region of Calabria, where it is most commonly spelled DiCarlo.
Famous people with the last name Decaro
The Decaro surname is associated with several distinguished individuals across various fields. In music, Domenico "Nicky" Decaro is a renowned composer and conductor who has worked with artists such as Frank Sinatra, Tony Bennett, and Barbra Streisand. In the world of television, John Decaro served as a journalist for Entertainment Tonight and E! News, interviewing numerous celebrities over his career. On the sports side, former Major League Baseball player Ricky Decaro played for teams including the New York Yankees and San Francisco Giants. Additionally, Decaros have also made significant contributions in academia, such as John J. DeCarlo Jr., a respected scholar in the field of psychology at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. These individuals exemplify the diverse accomplishments and impact of people sharing the last name Decaro.
Genealogical research on the last name Decaro
The surname Decaro originates from Italy and is of Sicilian origin. It is a patronymic name derived from the personal name "Di Carlo," meaning "of Charles." The first recorded spelling of the name was likely to have been in medieval Italian records, though the exact date remains unknown. The family name Decaro spread throughout Sicily during the Middle Ages and can be traced back to the Norman conquest of southern Italy in 1061 AD. The Decaros were feudal lords in various regions of Sicily for centuries, playing significant roles in local politics and society. Over time, some members of the family migrated to other parts of Italy and later to other countries, including the United States, Canada, and South America. Today, the Decaro name is prevalent among Italian-American communities, particularly those in the Northeastern United States. Genealogical research on the Decaro surname offers a fascinating insight into the history and evolution of an important Sicilian family over many centuries.
Passionate about genealogy, name history, and linguistics, we have been analyzing the origins of names for over 3 years. Our content is based on verified historical, etymological, and statistical data.
Last updated :
Share the origin of your last name with your friends
The last name "Dec" is of French origin and is derived from the Old French word "dieu," meaning "God." It was likely used as a surname to indicate someone who was pious or religiou...
The surname "Deca" is of Italian origin and is derived from a given name, specifically "Decio." This name comes from the Latin word "decius," meaning "tenth," which was used as a p...
The surname "Decaen" is of French origin. It is derived from a personal name, specifically an occupational name for someone who was a tenant farmer on an estate managed by a decan ...
The last name "Decalonne" appears to have originated in France. It is a French surname derived from the word "calonne," which refers to a type of tax collector or someone responsib...
The last name Decamora is of Italian origin. It is derived from the Italian word "camera," meaning "chamber" or "room," and was likely originally used as a topographic or occupatio...
The surname Decanini is believed to have Italian origins, derived from a place name or occupational name. It is possibly related to the city of Decimo Maggiore, a town in the provi...
The surname Decarli is of Italian origin. It derives from a given name, specifically Dario, which means "belonging to Dar or Darian" in Persian language. The name Dario was brought...
The last name "DeCarne" appears to have a French or Italian origin.
In French, "de" means "of" or "from," and "carne" may be derived from the Latin word "caro," which means "flesh...
The surname Decayeux does not have a clear etymology that can be traced definitively to one specific region or time period. However, it is thought to potentially derive from Old Fr...
The last name "Deccati" is of Italian origin. It is a surname that is most commonly found in the Lombardy region of Italy. The name may be derived from a place name or from an occu...
The last name "Dece" likely has French origins, derived from the word "douce" meaning sweet or gentle. It may have been used as a nickname for someone who had a kind or pleasant de...
The surname Dececco is of Italian origin and derives from a geographical or topographical name for someone who lived near or at a hill, castle, or fortified place called "Dei Cacci...
The last name "Deceiver" is of English origin and is derived from the Middle English word "deceiven" which means to deceive or trick. It is likely an occupational surname for someo...
The surname "Decem" is of Latin origin, derived from the word "decem" which means "ten" in Latin. It is likely a surname that was originally given to someone who was the tenth chil...
The surname Decena has Spanish origin and comes from the term "ten", which refers to a group of ten units. It is a surname that probably originated in the medieval period, when the...
