Last Name Demarco

The surname Demarco has Italian origins and is derived from the given name Marcello, which was brought to Italy by the Romans. It originally meant "devoted to Mars," the Roman god of war. Over time, it evolved into various spellings including Demarchi, Demacis, De Marchi, and Demarco, all indicating a person of Mars. The surname spread across Italy, particularly in the regions of Tuscany, Emilia-Romagna, and Sicily. During the Middle Ages, many Italians emigrated to other parts of Europe and later to the Americas, bringing their names with them.

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The meaning and origin of the last name Demarco

The surname Demarco is of Italian origin, derived from the Latin name "Marcus" and the Italian preposition "di," which means "of." Over time, it was anglicized to Demarco, representing a person who was of Marcus' family or lineage. The name Marcello, which is still common in Italy today, is another variant of this surname. Notable individuals bearing the surname Demarco include the Canadian-Italian actor Paul Demarco, and the American artist Jimmie Durham, whose father was Italian-American and bore the surname Di Marzio. The Demarco family name can also be found in various other countries with a significant Italian population, such as Argentina, Brazil, and the United States.

Geographical distribution of the last name Demarco

The last name Demarco is primarily distributed across Portugal and Brazil, due to historical migration patterns. In Portugal, it originates from the region of Minho, particularly in the district of Braga. It is also common in Madeira and the Azores islands. In Brazil, a large number of people with the surname Demarco are of Portuguese descent, mostly concentrated in the Southeast and South regions, such as Sao Paulo, Rio de Janeiro, and Parana. Smaller concentrations can be found in other countries like Argentina, Italy, Spain, and the United States, often due to immigration from Portugal or Brazil. The name Demarco is of Italian origin, meaning "of the market," and it has been popularized in these regions over time.

Variants and spellings of the last name Demarco

The surname Demarco can have various spellings and forms across different regions and time periods. Some common variations include Demarko, De Marco, de Marko, Demarcio, DiMarco, D'Marco, Demarkus, and Demarcus. These variations often stem from differences in translation or transcription errors over time. In Italian, the name Demarco typically means "of the market" or "the market ruler," derived from the words "demos" (people) and "arkhein" (rule). The name may also have origins in Greek, where it can mean "black" or "dark." Additionally, some families may have adopted the name for reasons unrelated to its original meaning. Despite these variations, all versions of Demarco share a common root and are associated with individuals of Italian, Greek, or potentially other Mediterranean backgrounds.

Famous people with the last name Demarco

Prominent individuals sharing the surname Demarco include: 1. Danielle Demarco, an American actress who gained recognition for her role as Cassie Nightingale on the Hallmark Channel series "Good Witch." She has also appeared in various films and television shows since the early 2000s. 2. Jason Demarco, a comic book artist who collaborated with Pendleton Ward to create the animated television series "Adventure Time" for Cartoon Network. He is known for his distinctive art style and contributions to the show's design. 3. James Demarco, an Australian entrepreneur and founder of several successful businesses, including the online retailer, Catch Group. He was also a contestant on the Australian reality series "Shark Tank." 4. Jeanette Demarco, a Canadian-American actress who has had roles in various films and television shows, such as "Quantum Leap" and "The X-Files." She is also an accomplished voice actor, providing voices for animated productions like "Megas XLR" and "Invader Zim." 5. Lara Demarco, a Canadian actress who has appeared in numerous television shows and films since the early 2000s. Some of her notable roles include appearing on "The Colony," "Reign," and "Caper," as well as providing voices for video games like "Mass Effect." Each individual named Demarco has achieved success in their respective fields, leaving lasting impacts on popular culture and entertainment industries.

Genealogical research on the last name Demarco

The surname Demarco has its origins in Italy, specifically Sicily and Calabria regions. The name is derived from the Latin term "de maris", meaning "of the sea". Early records indicate that the Demarco family can be traced back to the Norman conquest of Sicily in the 11th century. Notable members include the medieval knight Riccardo di Greci Demarra, who fought for Roger II of Sicily. Over time, some branches of the Demarco family migrated to other parts of Italy and later to Europe, the Americas, and Australia. In North America, notable Demarcos have made significant contributions in politics, arts, sports, and business. The Demarco clan's history reflects a rich tapestry of courage, resilience, and adaptation across generations.

Last name distribution maps

Sources & References

• INSEE statistics on the surname "Demarco"
• Global distribution of the surname on Forebears.io
• Wikipedia Article

About the author :

NomOrigine Team
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 : 10 June 2025

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