Grieco
An Italian surname meaning “Greek” or “from Greece,” originally used for someone of Greek origin or association.
The #9,212 most common surname in the United States (2010 Census) — about 1 in every 87,290 Americans shares it.
Etymology
Grieco is an Italian surname built on the word for “Greek,” ultimately from Latin Graecus and Greek Graikos, both meaning “Greek.” In Italian, Grieco could identify someone who came from Greece, had Greek ancestry, or was linked with Greek-speaking communities. In some cases it may also reflect the historical presence of Byzantine and Greek settlers in southern Italy.
History
The name is found especially in southern Italy, where contact with Greek culture and population remained strong for centuries. As with many ethnic surnames, it began as a descriptive label and later became hereditary. Spellings and related forms can vary by region, including forms such as Greco.
Origin
Regions
Variant spellings
Fun fact
Greco is a much more common Italian surname than Grieco, but both belong to the same family of “Greek” surnames.