Cavallaro
An Italian surname likely meaning “horseman” or “one associated with horses.”
The #9,320 most common surname in the United States (2010 Census) — about 1 in every 88,390 Americans shares it.
Etymology
Cavallaro is an Italian surname built on cavallo, meaning “horse,” ultimately from Latin caballus. The ending -aro is a common Italian suffix that can indicate a person connected with a trade, activity, or thing, so the name likely began as a label for someone who handled horses or worked with them in some way. In some cases it may also have been used more loosely for a horse breeder, keeper, rider, or carter.
History
The surname is found especially in southern Italy and among Italian diaspora communities abroad. Like many occupational Italian surnames, it probably arose independently in more than one place from a descriptive nickname or trade label. In the United States it is most often associated with immigrant families from Italy and their descendants.
Origin
Regions
Variant spellings
Fun fact
The root behind Cavallaro is the same horse word that also lies behind several Romance-language surnames and place names.