| ![Show Contents]() Greco History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms
- Origins Available:
 Italy A variety of distinguished and notable names have emerged from the beautiful and historical Italian region of Tuscany, including the notable surname Greco. During the Middle Ages, as populations grew and travel between regions became more frequent, the people of Tuscany, who were originally known only by a single name, found it necessary to adopt a second name to identify themselves and their families. This process of adopting fixed hereditary surnames in Italy began in the 10th and 11th centuries, but it was not completed until the modern era. The development of Italian hereditary surnames followed general principles and were characterized by derivatives from one's given name. The patronymic surname, which is derived from the father's given name, was one of the most common name types found in the region of Tuscany. This system of name-making was widely used because it linked well with the existing Feudal System and during the Christian era, many people named their children after saints and biblical figures. The surname Greco came from the Italian personal name Greca, which is derived from the Latin word graecus, which means greek. Alternatively, the surname is of a nickname origin that was given to one who came from Greece. At present, the name can be found all over the Italian peninsula, but it is most prevalent in the region of Campania. Early Origins of the Greco familyThe surname Greco was first found in Florence (Italian: Firenze), where the main branch of the family originates. Records are found in 1258 with Alberto dei Greci, who left the Ghibeline faction in Florence and moved to Bologna, where he became mayor. Early History of the Greco familyThis web page shows only a small excerpt of our Greco research. The years 1501, 1600, 1614, 1634, 1657, 1663, 1714, 1728, 1752 and 1767 are included under the topic Early Greco History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Greco Spelling VariationsIn comparison with other European surnames, Italian surnames have a surprising number of forms. They reflect the regional variations and the many dialects of the Italian language, each with its own distinctive features. For example, in Northern Italy the typical Italian surname suffix is "i", whereas in Southern Italy it is "o". Additionally, spelling changes frequently occurred because medieval scribes and church officials often spelled names as they sounded rather than according to any specific spelling rules. The spelling variations in the name Greco include Greco, Grechi, Greci, Greca, Grieco, Grego, Greghi, Del Greco, De Graecis, Lo Greco, Li Greci, La Greca and many more. Early Notables of the Greco familyProminent among members of the family was - Andrea Greco, Captain of Metropolitan Milan in 1501
- Gioachino Greco (c.1600-c.1634), an Italian chess player and writer, probably the first professional chess player
- Gennaro Greco (1663-1714), also known as "Il Mascacotta", was an Italian veduta painter
- Gaetano Greco (ca. 1657-1728) was a composer of harpsichord pieces, and taught Pergolesi, Durante, and Vinci. Members of the Greco family in Palermo received the feudal territory of Valdina with the t...
- of this family, Giuseppe Greco was Governor of Monte in 1767
Greco RankingIn the United States, the name Greco is the 2,511st most popular surname with an estimated 12,435 people with that name. 1 However, in France, the name Greco is ranked the 3,419th most popular surname with an estimated 2,000 - 2,500 people with that name. 2
 Greco migration to the United States | + |
Early records show that people bearing the name Greco arrived in North America quite early:
Greco Settlers in United States in the 19th Century- Alessandro Greco, aged 15, who immigrated to America from Mondicina, Italy, in 1893
- Alfonso Greco, aged 29, who immigrated to the United States from Colobraro, Italy, in 1893
- Angelo Greco, aged 26, who landed in America from Carolei, Italy, in 1893
- Aniello Greco, aged 25, who landed in America from Pisciolta, in 1893
- Annamaria Greco, aged 34, who settled in America from Naples, in 1897
- ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)
Greco Settlers in United States in the 20th Century- Amato Greco, aged 30, who landed in America from Torella dei Lom, in 1900
- Angela Greco, aged 9, who settled in America from Pisciatta, in 1900
- Antonino Greco, aged 13, who landed in America from Marineo, Italy, in 1900
- Angelo Greco, aged 24, who immigrated to America from Spezzano, in 1900
| Contemporary Notables of the name Greco (post 1700) | + |
- Armando "Buddy" Greco (1926-2017), American jazz and pop singer and pianist; during his career he sold over one million records
- Joel Stephen "Joey" Greco (b. 1972), American television personality and actor, best known as the host of the television show Cheaters for twelve seasons
- James Joseph Greco (b. 1958), American businessman and entrepreneur, Chief Executive Officer, President of Sbarro, Inc
- Michael Greco, American Democratic Party politician, Delegate to Democratic National Convention from New York, 1964 3
- Joseph Anthony Greco (b. 1919), American Democratic Party politician, Member of Wisconsin State Assembly from Milwaukee County 3rd District, 1955-60 3
- John Greco, American Republican politician, Candidate for U.S. Representative from Texas 2nd District, 1964 3
- Joe Greco, American politician, Mayor of Napa, California, 1955-56, 1960 3
- Jill Greco, American Democratic Party politician, Delegate to Democratic National Convention from Florida, 2004 3
- Jerome D. Greco, American Democratic Party politician, Alternate Delegate to Democratic National Convention from New Jersey, 1980 3
- Francis J. Greco, American Republican politician, Candidate for New York State Senate 4th District, 1926 3
- ... (Another 13 notables are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)
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Greco migration to the United States 
