Last Name Greco

The last name "Greco" is of Italian origin. It is derived from the word "greco" in Italian, which means "Greek." The surname likely originated as an ethnic or regional descriptor for individuals of Greek origin or descent. It is common among people with Italian ancestry.

Race and Ethnicity of people with the last name Greco

In terms of ethnic identity, based on data from the Decennial U.S. Census, most people with the Greco surname identified as White, with 95.09% in 2000 and 93.74% in 2010, indicating a slight decrease of -1.42%. The second biggest group was Hispanic, increasing significantly from 2.67% in 2000 to 4.35% in 2010, which is a notable change of 62.92%. The percentage of Grecos identifying as Asian/Pacific Islander, Black, and Two or more races decreased over the decade while the American Indian and Alaskan Native category saw an increase from 0.09% to 0.17% between 2000 and 2010.

	2000	2010	Change
White	95.09%	93.74%	-1.42%
Hispanic	2.67%	4.35%	62.92%
Two or More Races	1.02%	0.83%	-18.63%
Asian/Pacific Islander	0.66%	0.54%	-18.18%
Black	0.48%	0.37%	-22.92%
American Indian and Alaskan Native	0.09%	0.17%	88.89%

Greco ancestry composition

NomOrigine computes an ancestry breakdown for each customer. People may have ancestry from just one population or they may have ancestry from several populations. The most commonly-observed ancestry found in people with the surname Greco is Italian, which comprises 40.6% of all ancestry found in people with the surname. The next two most common ancestries are British & Irish (23.6%) and French & German (12.3%). Additional ancestries include Eastern European, Spanish & Portuguese, Ashkenazi Jewish, Scandinavian, and Greek & Balkan.

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ANCESTRY BREAKDOWN	COMPOSITION
Italian	40.6%
British & Irish	23.6%
French & German	12.3%
Other	23.5%

Your paternal lineage may be linked to early Balkan migrants

Haplogroup E1b1b1a1b1a migrated in large numbers from the Balkans into Europe about 4,500 years ago, triggered by the beginning of the Balkan Bronze Age. During this migration, members of haplogroup E1b1b1a1b1a mainly followed rivers connecting the southern Balkans to northern-central Europe. Technological leaps often cause lineages to grow dramatically in numbers and in geographic range. The development of Bronze technology may have given men in haplogroup E1b1b1a1b1a a competitive advantage over other men, causing haplogroup E1b1b1a1b1a to proliferate and become widespread.

Your maternal lineage may be linked to Marie Antoinette

Because it is so dominant in the general European population, haplogroup H also appears quite frequently in the continent's royal houses. Marie Antoinette, an Austrian Hapsburg who married into the French royal family, inherited the haplogroup from her maternal ancestors. So did Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, whose recorded genealogy traces his female line to Bavaria. Scientists also discovered that famed 16th century astronomer Nicolaus Copernicus traced his maternal lineages to haplogroup H.

Learn more about the origin of the last name Greco

The meaning and origin of the last name Greco

The surname Greco has Italian origins, deriving from the Latin word "Graecus," which means "Greek." As Italy shares a long history and cultural influence with Greece, it is not uncommon to find Italian surnames referencing Greek heritage. The surname Greco may have been initially used to identify someone of Greek descent who migrated to Italy or had Greek roots. It could also denote someone who displayed certain traits associated with Greek culture, such as a Greek language teacher or a person who admired Greek philosophy, art, or history. Over time, the surname Greco may have been passed down through generations, representing a family's ancestral connection to Greece or simply becoming a common Italian surname. Today, the surname Greco can be found globally among individuals of Italian heritage or those who have Italian ancestry.

Geographical distribution of the last name Greco

The last name Greco has a significant geographical distribution due to its origin in Italy. It is primarily found in Southern Italy, particularly in the regions of Calabria, Campania, Puglia, and Sicily. These regions have historically been home to vibrant communities of Italian Greeks, also known as Griko, who are descendants of the ancient Greek colonizers of Southern Italy. As a result, the surname Greco is prevalent among this population. Beyond Italy, the name is also present in other parts of the world due to migration and diaspora. Large communities of Greco can be found in the United States, especially in New York and New Jersey, where many Italians emigrated in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Additionally, Greco can be found in various countries including Canada, Australia, Argentina, and Brazil, reflecting the global dispersion of Italian immigrants.

Variants and spellings of the last name Greco

The last name Greco, originating from the Italian word for Greek, has several variations and spellings due to different interpretations and transliterations. Some variations include Greca, Grecco, Grieco, and Graiko. These variations may be influenced by regional dialects or personal preferences when written or pronounced. In addition, the Greco surname may have undergone spelling changes over time, particularly when individuals migrated to other countries or cultures. For instance, spellings such as Grego or Gregor could be alternative versions. Throughout history, the spelling of surnames has been subject to errors, misinterpretations, and phonetic changes, making it crucial to consider these diverse possibilities when researching ancestral heritage or tracing family lineage. Ultimately, all of these variations and spellings reflect the cultural richness and complex history of the Greco surname and its descendants.

Famous people with the last name Greco

One prominent figure with the last name Greco is Vinny Greco, a former professional wrestler known for his larger-than-life persona and charismatic personality. Born Vincent Greco Jr., he gained fame in the 1980s and 1990s as a member of the World Wrestling Federation (now WWE), captivating audiences with his unique wrestling style and dramatic performances in the ring. Another notable individual with the last name Greco is Tony Greco, a celebrated chef renowned for his culinary expertise and passion for Italian cuisine. With numerous restaurants and successful cookbooks to his name, Tony has become a household name in the culinary world, known for his innovative creations and dedication to sourcing the finest ingredients. Both Vinny and Tony Greco have left a lasting impact on their respective fields, earning them recognition and admiration from fans and professionals alike.

Genealogical research on the last name Greco

The last name Greco has its origins in Italy, specifically in the southern region of Calabria. The name Greco is derived from the Greek word "Graikos," meaning "Greek." It is believed that this surname is associated with Greek immigrants who settled in Calabria during ancient times. As such, the Greco family name carries a strong historical connection to Greek ancestry. Genealogical research suggests that individuals with the last name Greco can trace their roots back to the Greek settlers who arrived in southern Italy centuries ago. Over time, the Greco family expanded, and their descendants spread to various parts of Italy as well as other countries around the world through migration. Today, individuals with the last name Greco can be found not only in Italy but also in other regions such as North America, where they have continued to maintain their cultural heritage and strong ties to their Greek origins.

Last name distribution maps

Sources & References

• INSEE statistics on the surname "Greco"
• 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 : 11 April 2025

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