Surname Ferraro - Meaning and Origin
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Exploring Ancestral Roots with iGENEA DNA: A Journey into the Fascinating Origin and History of the Surname Ferraro
I discovered my Italian lineage's intriguing historical roots through my iGENEA DNA test, revealing fascinating insights surrounding the origin and history of my surname, Ferraro. Spanning cultures, historical eras, and religious diversity, my ancestors' journey was rich and diverse, from being blacksmiths in medieval Italy, enduring significant historical events like the Renaissance, to being part of the Jewish diaspora in Italy.
X. Ferraro
read moreFerraro: What does the surname Ferraro mean?
The last name Ferraro is a patronymic surname derived from the Italian masculine given name Ferraro. The given name Ferraro is thought to originate from ferro which is the Italian word for iron, a reference to strong and hard work and ferreo which is a Latin word for “bronze or copper.”
There are many lines of thought on the origins of the surname Ferraro and the etymology and meaning of its components. Some believe the Ferraro family may have originated in the Latin region Corrado (Centro-Centrica), from “ferrarrius,” meaning the one who makes iron and worked with it. The same root is found in the Italian surnames Ferrarese, Ferreta, Ferrarin, and Forni.
In Italy, Ferraro is popularly considered to refer to a person who is sturdy and strong-willed and able to resist hardship. In the medieval European period, it is believed that Ferraro was a nickname given to a courageous man who was able to stand up to any difficulty.
The last name Ferraro is also carried by Sephardic Jews who have immigrated to Italy from Spain and Portugal in the Middle Ages. They are believed to have adopted this surname as part of their acculturation to their new home.
Today, the surname Ferraro is mostly found in Italy, with very few individuals bearing this name elsewhere. It is undoubtedly a proud and time-honored Italian surname, speaking of a family’s fortitude and resilience.
Order DNA origin analysisFerraro: Where does the name Ferraro come from?
The last name Ferraro is most commonly found in Italy. After emigrating from Italy, however, Ferraro families spread around the world. Today, Ferraro is a fairly common last name in many countries, including Canada, the United States, Australia, and Argentina.
In Canada, according to the 2016 census, there were over 2,000 people with the last name Ferraro. In Toronto alone, the number of Ferraros was approximately 500. This makes Ferraro one of the 170 most common surnames in the city. In the United States, the name Ferraro was ranked the 787th most common surname in the country, with more than 15,000 people having the name according to the 2000 census. The states where the name is most common are New York, Massachusetts, and Pennsylvania.
In Australia, there are approximately 600 people with the name Ferraro across the country. This makes it the 343rd most common surname in the country. Lastly, in Argentina, there are more than 2,000 people with the surname Ferraro, and it is the utmost list of surnames in the nation with the highest numbers.
Overall, the surname Ferraro is spread out around the world. It is a fairly common last name in many countries and continues to be an important family name.
Variations of the surname Ferraro
The Ferraro surname originated from northern Italy, where this surname is still the most prevalent today. Ferraro is also relatively common in Argentina, Germany, the United States, and parts of South America. The name is said to be derived from the Italian word ferro, meaning "iron".
There are several variants and spelling variations of the Ferraro surname, with each spelling corresponding to a particular branch of the family. These include Feraro, Ferrarese, Ferarri, Ferrarone, Ferrarotti, Ferraris, Ferrarello, Ferrara, Ferrarotti, Ferrariso, Ferrarage and Ferrarini.
There are also a few surnames that are thought to be derived from Ferraro, or have a similar origin. These include Farro, Ferrari, Ferrario, Ferradini, Ferrattini, Ferri, Fierro, Ferroni, Ferrante, Ferrantino, and Ferron.
Whether it is spelled Ferraro or one of its variants, this surname has a long and varied history. It is thought to originate with the iron merchants of northern Italy, where this surname is still most common today. Ferraro and its variants can also be found in the United States, Argentina, Germany, and parts of South America.
Famous people with the name Ferraro
- Geraldine Ferraro: Geraldine Ferraro served as the Congresswoman of the 9th Congressional District in New York from 1979 to 1985, and was the first woman ever to be placed on a major party’s ticket for vice president in 1984. Despite not winning the election, her achievement was widely seen of as a testament to the growing recognition of women in politics.
- Christine Ferraro: Christine Ferraro is an accomplished TV writer, having written for shows such as “Full House”, “Andy Richter Controls the Universe”, and “That’s So Raven”. She was a writer/producer for the hit animated show “My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic”.
- Antonio Ferraro: Antonio Ferraro is an Italian opera singer with some of his most well known works including “Italia in Sogno”, “Valle d'Oro”, and “Un Uomo, Un Soldato”. He has recently performed at the Teatro Donizetti in Bergamo, Italy for their “Giornate Liriche” event.
- Richard Ferraro: Richard Ferraro is a stunt coordinator and stuntman, with possessions in movies such as “Donnie Brasco”, “Spider-Man 2”, and “The Bourne Ultimatum”. He has received awards from the Taurus Awards, as well as the Screen Actor’s Guild.
- Patrick Ferraro: Patrick Ferraro is a professional hockey player who is currently playing for the Wichita Thunder. He had previously played for the University of Alabama-Huntsville and the Manchester Phoenix of the EPL.