Last Name Querio

The surname Querio is of Italian origin. It is derived from a place name or a personal name. In Italy, many surnames originate from places where the original bearer lived or hailed from. In this case, it could be derived from a town called Querio in the region of Lombardy, although there are also other possible origins such as being a variant of the given name "Quirico."

Learn more about the origin of the last name Querio

The meaning and origin of the last name Querio

The surname Querio is of Italian origin, derived from the Latin word "queritus," which means querulous or complaining. In Italy, it was often used as a nickname for someone who was habitually argumentative or disputatious. Over time, this surname spread to other regions and became a hereditary name. The Querios are primarily found in the Lombardy region of Italy, but the name can also be found in other parts of the country and among Italian diaspora communities around the world.

Geographical distribution of the last name Querio

The last name Querio exhibits a predominantly Italian distribution, with its highest concentration found in regions such as Lazio and Abruzzo. In Lazio, the city of Rieti stands out for having a significant number of individuals bearing this surname. Abruzzo, particularly the provinces of Teramo and Pescara, also display a high frequency of Querios. Additionally, smaller numbers of people with the last name Querio can be found in other Italian regions such as Molise, Umbria, Marche, and Toscana. While predominantly Italian, there are also Querio families from Argentina, primarily originating from Italy, particularly from the Abruzzo region. The migration of these families to Argentina began during the late 19th and early 20th centuries, as a result of economic instability and political unrest in Italy at that time.

Variants and spellings of the last name Querio

The surname Querio has several variations and spellings due to differences in transcription and translation over time and across regions. Some common variants include:

* Quirio, which is based on the Latin form of the name
* Cquirio or Curcio, resulting from the Italian phonetic adaptation of the original Spanish spelling
* Corio or Corrío, derived from a possible misspelling or regional variation in pronunciation
* Kquirio or Kquiro, representing attempts to transliterate the surname into other writing systems such as Cyrillic or Arabic

These variations and spellings are all derived from the same root, originating from the Spanish term "querer," meaning "to love." It is important to note that the exact origins of the name Querio are not definitively known, and it is possible that there are additional variants or interpretations.

Famous people with the last name Querio

The Querio surname is predominantly associated with individuals from Brazil, particularly those of Italian descent due to historical immigration patterns. One notable figure with this last name is Antonio Carlos Querio, a former professional footballer who played as a defender for several prominent Brazilian clubs such as Flamengo and Corinthians. On the academic front, there's Marcos Querio-Tovar, a Brazilian economist and current Director of Economic Studies at the Getulio Vargas Foundation (FGV). In the world of literature, another notable figure is the Italian author Giuseppe Desseta Querio, known for his works on philosophy and sociology. While not as famous, it's worth mentioning Pedro Querio, a Brazilian lawyer who was a key figure in the fight against slavery in the 19th century. These individuals exemplify the diverse achievements and contributions made by people bearing the Querio surname across various fields.

Genealogical research on the last name Querio

The surname Querio originates from Italy and is found predominantly in the Abruzzo region, particularly in the provinces of Teramo and Chieti. Early records show that the name was first documented in the 13th century as "de Curia" or "de Curione," indicating a connection to a courthouse or a noble family residing at a curia (courtyard).

Over time, the spelling of the name has evolved, with variations such as Querio, Quirino, and Quaranta being recorded. Some branches of the family migrated to other parts of Italy, while others moved to countries like France, Spain, and Argentina. In the United States, immigrants bearing the surname Querio arrived primarily in the 19th and early 20th centuries, settling mainly in New York and Massachusetts.

Research into the family's history reveals a mix of noble ancestry, as well as artisans and farmers. Notable individuals with the surname include Giovanni Querio, an Italian painter active in the 18th century, and Antonio Querio, an artist known for his murals in several churches across Italy.

Last name distribution maps

Sources & References

• INSEE statistics on the surname "Querio"
• 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 : 28 July 2025

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