NameCensus.

UK surname

Palermo

From the Italian city of Palermo, the capital of Sicily.

The strongest historical links point to No data. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Camden, Sevenoaks and Wandsworth.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Palermo is 163 in 2014. Compared with 1881, the name has changed.

1881 census count

-

Modern count

162

2016, ranked #22,512

Peak year

2014

163 bearers

Map years

3

1998 to 2016

Key insights

  • The latest modern count shown here is 162 in 2016, ranked #22,512.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Diverse Educated Urban Singles.

Palermo surname distribution map

The map shows where the Palermo surname is concentrated in each census or modern distribution year. Darker areas mean a stronger local concentration.

Distribution map

Palermo surname density by area, 2016 modern.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Palermo over time

The table below tracks recorded surname counts and rank from the 19th-century census years through the modern adult-register period.

Year Period Count Rank
1997 modern 92 #28,079
1998 modern 101 #27,479
1999 modern 105 #27,035
2000 modern 112 #25,978
2001 modern 104 #26,765
2002 modern 106 #26,985
2003 modern 109 #26,361
2004 modern 114 #25,870
2005 modern 120 #25,066
2006 modern 122 #25,010
2007 modern 120 #25,606
2008 modern 119 #26,067
2009 modern 128 #25,427
2010 modern 139 #24,688
2011 modern 143 #24,056
2012 modern 145 #23,780
2013 modern 152 #23,438
2014 modern 163 #22,547
2015 modern 161 #22,599
2016 modern 162 #22,512

Geography

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Where Palermos are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around No data. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Camden, Sevenoaks, Wandsworth, Pembrokeshire and Dudley. Treat these as concentration signals, not proof that every family line began there.

Some modern areas include a three-digit suffix, such as Leeds 110. The suffix is a small-area code, so it stays in the table while the prose uses the plain place name.

Top historical parishes

Rank Parish Area
1 No data No data

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Camden 026 Camden
2 Sevenoaks 010 Sevenoaks
3 Wandsworth 036 Wandsworth
4 Pembrokeshire 010 Pembrokeshire
5 Dudley 019 Dudley

Forenames

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First names often paired with Palermo

These lists show first names that appear often with the Palermo surname in historical and recent records.

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Palermo

Modern surname records can be compared with neighbourhood classifications. For Palermo, this points to the kinds of places where the surname is most concentrated today.

These neighbourhood labels describe areas, not individual people. They are useful because surnames often cluster through family history, migration, housing patterns and local work. A surname can be strongest in one type of neighbourhood even when people with that name live across the country.

The UK classification gives the national picture. The London classification is more specific to the capital, where housing, age profile, tenure and population mix can look quite different from the rest of the UK.

UK neighbourhood type

UK Output Area Classification

Supergroup

Multicultural and Educated Urbanites

Group

Diverse Educated Urban Singles

Nationally, the Palermo surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Diverse Educated Urban Singles, within Multicultural and Educated Urbanites. This does not mean every Palermo household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.

Read profile summary

Group profile

This Group includes many never-married individuals not living with dependent children. Many were born in EU countries and are now aged between 25-44. This Group is characterised by its ethnic group diversity, although those identifying as Asian are not well represented. Affiliation with the Christian religion amongst residents is low. Reported disability rates are low. Neighbourhoods include some central locations in London and other major cities. Private renting is the norm, and there is some overcrowding. Many individuals are educated to degree level, and full-time employment is common, particularly in managerial and professional occupations.

Wider pattern

Established populations comprising ethnic minorities together with persons born outside the UK predominate in this Supergroup. Residents present diverse personal characteristics and circumstances: while generally well-educated and practising skilled occupations, some residents live in overcrowded rental sector housing. English may not be the main language used by people in this Group. Although the typical adult resident is middle aged, single person households are common and marriage rates are low by national standards. This Supergroup predominates in Inner London, with smaller enclaves in many other densely populated metropolitan areas.

London neighbourhood type

London Output Area Classification

Supergroup

The Greater London Mix

Group

Skilled Trades and Construction Workers

Within London, Palermo is most associated with areas classed as Skilled Trades and Construction Workers, part of The Greater London Mix. This gives the surname a London-specific profile rather than forcing the capital into the same pattern as the rest of the country.

Read profile summary

Group profile

These scattered, peripheral and often low residential density neighbourhoods house more workers in skilled trades and construction. Few households rent social housing and there are few students. Multiple car ownership is higher than the Supergroup average, perhaps because of poorer public transport connectivity. Incidence of mixed or multiple ethnicity is below the Supergroup average, and the absence of individuals identifying as Pakistani or Other Asian groups is also less pronounced. Flatted accommodation is less dominant than elsewhere in the Supergroup.

Wider London pattern

A Supergroup embodying London's diversity in many respects, apart from low numbers of residents identifying as of Bangladeshi, Indian, Pakistani or Other (non-Chinese) Asian ethnicity. There is lower than average prevalence of families with dependent children, while there are above average occurrences of never-married individuals and single-person households. The age distribution is skewed towards younger, single residents and couples without children, with many individuals identifying as of mixed or multiple ethnicity. Social rented or private rented housing is slightly more prevalent than average, and many residents live in flats. Individuals typically work in professional and associated roles in public administration, education or health rather than in elementary occupations in agriculture, energy, water, construction or manufacturing. Incidence of students is slightly below average. Individuals declaring no religion are more prevalent than average and non-use of English at home is below average.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Palermo is most concentrated in decile 10 for access to healthy assets and hazards. This places the surname towards the healthier end of the index.

Lower deciles point towards weaker access to healthy assets or stronger exposure to local hazards. Higher deciles point towards stronger access and fewer hazards.

10
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Palermo falls in decile 7 for neighbourhood deprivation. This puts the surname near the middle of the scale.

Decile 1 represents the more deprived end of the scale. Decile 10 represents the less deprived end.

7
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Palermo is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of 50-60 mbit/s.

The scale below places that band in context, from slower local download bands through to faster ones.

8
Slower band Faster band

Area snapshot

Ethnic group estimate

Most common ethnic group estimate
White - Other

This describes the area pattern most associated with Palermo, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.

Meaning and origin of Palermo

The surname Palermo has its origins in Italy and is derived from the name of the city of Palermo, the capital of the island of Sicily. The name Palermo itself is derived from the Greek word "Panormus," which means "all-port" or "complete port," referring to the city's strategic location as a major maritime hub in the Mediterranean.

Palermo has a long and rich history that dates back to the Phoenician and Greek civilizations. The city was founded by the Phoenicians in the 8th century BC, and later came under Greek influence. The name Palermo first appeared in written records during this period, with variations such as "Panormus" and "Panhormus."

In the Middle Ages, Palermo was an important center of trade and culture under the rule of various dynasties, including the Arabs, Normans, and Spanish. The surname Palermo likely emerged during this time, as it was common for people to adopt surnames based on their place of origin or residence.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the surname Palermo can be found in the Sicilian Vespers, a popular uprising against the French occupation of Sicily in 1282. Historical records mention several individuals with the surname Palermo who played significant roles in this event.

Throughout history, several notable individuals have borne the surname Palermo. One example is Giacomo Palermo (c. 1507-1592), an Italian painter and architect who was active during the Renaissance period. Another is Gaspare Palermo (1572-1630), an Italian mathematician and astronomer known for his contributions to the study of celestial mechanics.

In the 19th century, Antonio Palermo (1792-1871) was an Italian politician and statesman who played a crucial role in the unification of Italy. He served as the Minister of Finance in the Kingdom of the Two Sicilies and later became a senator in the newly formed Kingdom of Italy.

More recently, Francesco Palermo (1949-2020) was an Italian lawyer and academic who specialized in constitutional and minority rights law. He served as the director of the Institute for Minority Rights at the European Academy of Bozen/Bolzano in Italy.

Another notable figure is the Italian-American actor and filmmaker Giancarlo Palermo (1921-1989), known for his work in Italian cinema during the 1950s and 1960s.

These are just a few examples of individuals throughout history who have carried the surname Palermo, which has its roots in the rich cultural heritage of the Italian city of the same name.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

FAQ

Palermo surname: questions and answers

How common is the Palermo surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 162 in 2016. That gives Palermo a modern rank of #22,512.

What does the Palermo surname mean?

From the Italian city of Palermo, the capital of Sicily.

What does the Palermo map show?

The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Palermo bearers relative to the surrounding population.

What records is this surname page based on?

The historical counts come from census surname records. The modern counts and neighbourhood summaries come from later surname distribution records. Counts are recorded bearers in those records, not a live estimate of everyone with the name today.