Rizo
A Spanish surname from rizo, meaning a curl or something curled.
The #5,547 most common surname in the United States (2010 Census) — about 1 in every 49,273 Americans shares it.
Etymology
Rizo is a Spanish word meaning a curl, ringlet, or something naturally curled. The surname most likely began as a nickname for someone with curly hair, or as a descriptive name for a curled or frizzed feature. The word ultimately goes back to Latin roots connected with curling or twisting.
History
The surname appears in Spanish-language surname discussions and is best understood as a descriptive Iberian name. It is found in Spain and in Spanish-speaking communities abroad, including the United States. Modern bearers in the U.S. likely reflect later Hispanic immigration rather than a single noble or occupational origin.
Origin
Regions
Variant spellings
Fun fact
In Spanish, rizo is still the everyday word for a curl or ringlet, so the surname remains transparently meaningful.
From the historical record
“Reigel — Reil, Gen. Riegels. Patr. A. Reichling, (l -}- n) : Reichlin. (z) Richizo, Rizo: Rietsch — Ritxe; Riss, (z + k) : Rietschke — Ritx- ehen. (z + i) : Rietschel — Ritxel; Rissel; Ritschi Patr. A. Ritxler. Zweistämmigo Kürzung Rieb-.”
— Die deutschen Familiennamen