Caro Family History

Spanish, Portuguese, Italian, and Jewish (Sephardic) surname derived from the Portuguese, Spanish, and Italian word caro meaning ‘dear’ or ‘beloved’ (originating from Latin carus). In medieval Italy, it also served as a personal name. Variants include De Caro and Di Caro.

In Italian, particularly in Sicily, Carò is a variant of Carrò, which can be further explored through the term Carro.

In English, the name is a habitational surname originating from two possible locations: Carrow in Norfolk or Carraw in Northumberland. Carrow is derived from Old English carr meaning ‘rock’ (a Celtic loanword) combined with hōh meaning ‘spur of a hill’, while Carraw likely takes its name directly from the plural of a Celtic term plus the Old English rāw meaning ‘row’.

Additionally, the name may derive from Kerrow, a less significant place found in five west Cornish parishes.

Lastly, in Cornwall, it could also be considered a variant of Carew.