Last Names

Surnames / R

Romo

What is the origin of the last name Romo?

Spanish originLocational (a place or landscape)Rank #1,343 in the US

Meaning and origin

The last name Romo, commonly found in Spain and Mexico, has its origins in the Spanish region of Asturias. Derived from the Asturian word "romu" meaning "oak grove," Romo likely began as a locational surname, denoting individuals who lived near or were associated with such wooded areas. Over time, it evolved into a hereditary surname, passed down through generations, and spread to other parts of Spain and Latin America through migration.

The longer story

The last name Romo has a number of interesting facts associated with it.

One important fact is that the surname Romo is derived from the Latin word "romanus", which means "Roman". This suggests a connection to the Roman Empire and its influence on the Iberian Peninsula. The name potentially originated as a nickname for someone who had Roman ancestry or characteristics associated with the Romans.

In some cases, the name Romo is believed to have originated from a place name. There are several towns and villages in Spain and Italy called Romo, and it is possible that the surname is derived from these locations. This theory is supported by the common practice of using place names as surnames.

Surname origins are rarely settled: one spelling can have several sources, and families often took a name for reasons nobody wrote down. Check it against the sources below before you rely on it.

Similar spellings

#1,343

Romo was the 1,343rd most common surname in the 2010 US Census, with 26,283 people, about 8.5 in every 100,000.

Who carries it

  • White (non-Hispanic)7.7%
  • Hispanic or Latino90.8%
  • Black (non-Hispanic)0.2%
  • Asian or Pacific Islander0.5%
  • Two or more races0.3%
  • American Indian or Alaska Native0.4%

Where it is found

Countries linked to Romo.

Surnames like Romo

Names it is linked with, then names with the same origin and a similar standing.

Check the sources

For a name you are serious about, compare the dictionaries: Reaney and Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames; Hanks, Dictionary of American Family Names.