A Spanish surname, Acevedo comes from the Old Spainish terms ‘acebedo’, ’azevo’ and ‘azevedo’ which refer to a grove consisting of holly. The spelling variations for Acevedo include Azebedo, Azedvedo, Acebeda, Acebedo, de Acevedo, Aceval and Aceves. In Spain the Acevedo family name is commonly found in the Tenerife area. Over the centuries many of the Acevedo families resettled in Peru, Guatemala, Puerto Rico, Argentina and Mexico. Within the United States the early Acevedo families lived in Florida, Texas, New Mexico, Arizona, California and Colorado. Over the years more have also come to live in New York, Connecticut and New Jersey. Famous: Kirk Acevedo (television and feature film actor), Anibal Salvador Acevedo (professional boxer from Puerto Rico), Richard Acevedo (musician, writer and artist), Art Acevedo (police chief of Austin, TX), Juan Acevedo (professional baseball player from Mexico), Fernando Acevedo (champion in track and field from Peru), Raymond Acevedo (singer from Puerto Rico) and Jose Acevedo (professional baseball player from the Dominican Republic).