Surname Grieco - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'G'
Grieco: What does the surname Grieco mean?
The last name Grieco is of Italian origin, and its meaning is “of Gris or creator.” It is derived from the Italian word “gris” which means “gray” or “grey.”
Grieco can be traced back to a small settlement in the area of Tuscany during the 1500s. It is believed that early members of the Grieco family settled near the Tuscan coast with a small number of their relatives. The Griecos were a very powerful family in the area, and they formed strong political and economic alliances with the local government and religious institutions throughout the region.
Upon arriving to the United States, the Grieco family settled in New York City in the late 1800s. Many of its members went on to own and manage Italian-American restaurants, which still exist today. Grieco is also a popular surname among those of Italian descent in the US, as well as other countries across the world. The name is often passed down from generation to generation, keeping its unique history alive.
In summary, the last name Grieco means "of Gris or creator", and has a powerful Italian heritage stretching back centuries. Those sharing the same name are often proud of its ancestry, and many still carry the family’s legacy with them today.
Order DNA origin analysisGrieco: Where does the name Grieco come from?
The last name Grieco is most commonly found in Italy, particularly in the Calabria and Apulia regions. It is believed to have originated in the Campania region but spread throughout Southern Italy over time. The diaspora of Italian immigrants to the United States, specifically in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, resulted in significant growth of the Grieco surname in parts of the U.S., notably in places like the Bronx and Brooklyn in New York City.
Today, Grieco is still largely found in Italian regions like Tuscany, Abruzzo, Lombardy and Campania. It is also very prevalent in the United States, particularly in cities such as New York, Boston, Chicago and Detroit, making up 0.19% of the population there. Additionally, Grieco is prevalent in other North American countries such as Canada, Australia and New Zealand, as well as parts of South America like Brazil. The surname also retains a presence in countries like the UK, where it occupies 0.009% of the population.
In aggregate, Grieco remains a popular surname in Italy and other parts of the world, although some countries and regions may have higher concentrations than others.
Variations of the surname Grieco
Grieco is an Italian surname with several variants and spellings. The most common variant is Greco, an Italian surname that originated in southern Italy and primarily denoted people from the Greek city-state of Calabria. The Greek origin of the name is evidenced by its '-eco' suffix, which is derived from the ancient Greek word 'oikos' which means 'home or house'. Other variants of the Grieco surname include Grecco, Grecoff, Grecoffi, Grech, Gregori, Grego, Gregoire, Gregoletto, Gregoletti, Grenga, Grengo, and Grici.
In addition to the spellings common to Italy, the Grieco surname has also taken on several peculiar spellings in different parts of the world. For example, in France, the surname is sometimes spelt as Gréco, Greac, or Grécoff. In the Spanish-speaking countries of the Americas, the name is known as Grecio, Gréco, or Grego, while in countries like the United Kingdom, Australia, and the United States, it is spelt as Grego, Gregoire, Gregori, or Gric.
The Grieco surname is sometimes used as a variation of the more common surname Grigio, which is of both Italian and French origins and is derived from the Latin word ‘griseus’ meaning ‘gray’. There are also several Anglicized versions of the Grieco surname, such as the English surname Greig, the Scottish surname Greig, or the Welsh surname Greeg. Other possible variants of the surname are Grico, Gricci, Grigelli, Grigio, Grigolli and Grecco. As the Grieco surname has spread to countries around the world, variations on the spelling and origin of the name have developed.
Famous people with the name Grieco
- Mario Grieco: Italian songwriter, artist and film composer active in the 50's and 60's.
- Don Grieco: Retired Major League Baseball catcher.
- Edward Grieco: Italian American playwright and author.
- Rich Grieco: Actor best known for his roles as John Langley on 21 Jump Street and Detective Rick Hunter on Hunter.
- Jack Grieco: Former professional American football linebacker who played 11 seasons in the NFL.
- David Grieco: Italian writer, scriptwriter and director, best known for his acclaimed film Eleonora and for his television series.
- Brian Grieco: Breakfast Television Toronto weather anchor.
- Bill Grieco: Former professional American Football safety who played 3 seasons in the NFL.
- Robert Grieco: Businessman and politician, and member of the Ohio House of Representatives.
- Bobby Joe Grieco: Former NASCAR driver in the Winston Cup Series.