Show ContentsCharo History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The name Charo is derived from the Italian word "chiari," which means "clear," or " luminous." As such, the Charo surname was likely originally a nickname for a person with a clear or light complexion. Nickname surnames were derived from an eke-name, or added name, and usually reflected the physical characteristics or attributes of the first person that used the name.

Early Origins of the Charo family

The surname Charo was first found in the 8th century, when Orso Chiarelli was one of the leaders of the town of Ferraruola.

Early History of the Charo family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Charo research. The years 1391, 1400, 1615, 1660, 1669, 1712, 1720, 1745, 1766 and 1800 are included under the topic Early Charo History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Charo Spelling Variations

Italian surnames come in far more variations than the names of most other nationalities. Regional traditions and dialects are a decisive factor in this characteristic. For example, northern names tend to end in "o", while southern in "i". Also important, but not unique to Italy, was the fact that before dictionaries and the printing press most scribes simply spelled words according to their sounds. The predictable result was an enormous number of spelling variations. The recorded spellings of Charo include Chiarucci, Chiari, Chiaro, Chiara, Clari, Claro, De Chiara, Del Chiaro, Di Chiara, Clarich, Chiarenti, Chiaretti, Chiarelli, Chiarello, Chiariello, Chiarel, Chiarella, Claretti, Chiarini, Chiarìn, Clarini, Chiarotti, Chiart, Clarotti, Chiaroni, Chiaranda, Chiarandini, Chiarante, Chiarantini, Chiarato, Chiaratto, Chiarenza, Chiarito, Chiarizia, Clarizia, Chiarolla, Chiarulli, Chiarullo, Chiarugi, Chiarutti, Chiaruttini, Chiaraluce, Chiarantoni and many more.

Early Notables of the Charo family

Prominent among members of the family was Manfredi III Chiaramonte (died 1391), a Sicilian nobleman, Lord of Trapani, Agrigento, Bivona, Licata, Castronovo, Lentini, Palma di Montechiaro and Mussomeli; Giorgio Chiarini, a well known author in Florence around 1400; Bartolomeo Chiarini of Rome, a famous engraver in the 16th century; Fabrizio Chiari, a painter and engraver in Rome around 1615; Anton-Maria...
Another 59 words (4 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Charo Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.


United States Charo migration to the United States +

A search of the immigration and passenger lists has shown a number of people bearing the name Charo:

Charo Settlers in United States in the 19th Century
  • William Charo, who settled in Charlestown, Massachusetts in 1865
  • Margaret Charo, who settled in Boston in 1865
  • Jane Charo, who settled in Burlington, VT in 1865

Contemporary Notables of the name Charo (post 1700) +

  • Charo Ronquillo (b. 1988), Filipino fashion model


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