A surname of
Greek and Italian origin.
From the
Greek, "poly" and "karpos" meaning 'many fruit'. This pertains to 'many
children' or 'many offspring' instead of 'many plant genitalia'.
The family crest motif is yellow, black, and red-orange, featuring a large black eagle perched on a red-orange branch, set against a yellow background. The crest is of Greek origin, still popularly used by the descendant of the Pontian Greeks. The eagle, of course, is a symbol of strength, immortality, farsightedness, and courage. In mythology, Zeus often took on the form of an eagle.
Historians have speculated that the name 'Policarpio' derives from Saint Polycarp, once a bishop of Smyrna. Saint Polycarp was known to have many followers and disciples that travelled all over the world, hence the varying locations in which the surname 'Policarpio' are
popular (
Italy, Spain, the Philippines). His many followers may also explain why he has 'many fruit' because he considered his followers as his
children.