‘Tis said of old that the surname “Porco” and its variations, which means “pig” in modern Italian, was not derived from an occupational name, as those who worked as swineherds or butchers, nor was it an appellation given to fat or slovenly people.
Rather, Porco as a surname was adopted by some who belonged to a fervent apostolic sect of Christians in Southern Italy who believed apostolic poverty and the taking of self-effacing surnames was a sign of their piety.
the Porcine Oracle