Explore the Family Name Tervo
The meaning of Tervo
Finnish: occupational name for a tar-burner or a habitational name from farm names containing the word terva ‘tar’. Recorded as a hereditary surname since the Middle Ages in the Karelian Isthmus. Elsewhere in Karelia and in Savonia and northern Ostrobothnia it is recorded since the 17th century. Some characteristic forenames: Finnish Reino, Eino, Esa, Lempi, Olavi, Olli. Scandinavian Erik, Hjalmer, Swen.
Dictionary of American Family Names, 2nd edition, © Oxford University Press, 2022.
How common is the last name Tervo in the United States?
Based on the Decennial U.S. Census, the surname Tervo had a slight dip in popularity between 2000 and 2010. The surname was ranked 50,178 in 2000 and slid to 50,275 in 2010, marking a minute decrease of 0.19%. However, the actual count of people with this surname increased by 6.12%, from 392 to 416. This resulted in a small drop in proportion per 100k people, from 0.15 to 0.14, a decline of 6.67%.
| 2000 | 2010 | Change | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rank | #50,178 | #50,275 | -0.19% |
| Count | 392 | 416 | 6.12% |
| Proportion per 100k | 0.15 | 0.14 | -6.67% |
Race and Ethnicity of people with the last name Tervo
Regarding the ethnic identity associated with the Tervo surname, it is predominantly White, as per the Decennial U.S. Census data. In 2000, an overwhelming 98.21% of Tervos identified as White, although this figure fell slightly to 94.95% in 2010. Notably, there was a modest emergence of other ethnicities within the Tervo surname bearers over this decade. The census recorded Hispanic representation at 2.16% in 2010, up from zero percent in 2000. Additionally, those identifying with two or more races also appeared in the 2010 data, accounting for 1.20%. No change was observed in Asian/Pacific Islander, Black, and American Indian and Alaskan Native categories, which remained at zero percent for both years.
| 2000 | 2010 | Change | |
|---|---|---|---|
| White | 98.21% | 94.95% | -3.32% |
| Hispanic | 0% | 2.16% | 0% |
| Two or More Races | 0% | 1.2% | 0% |
| Asian/Pacific Islander | 0% | 0% | 0% |
| Black | 0% | 0% | 0% |
| American Indian and Alaskan Native | 0% | 0% | 0% |