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How to understand the origins of Italian surnames Part 1

In part 1 Raffaele Fontanella explains the origins of surnames from the renaissance, how dialects impacted first names and surnames based on his book “Cognomi di Stabia”. How the Romans used first names, surnames and nicknames. How the Germans named people and how that impacted Italian names. And an introduction to part 2 where he will explain the 4 naming conventions in Italy.

Thank you to Rich DiPalma for the translation.

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For over twenty-five years, Dawn has helped people create a dolce vita by connecting to their purpose and by continuing their legacy.

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A Deep Dive into Italian Genealogical Records

Embark on an ancestral odyssey with Katherine Pennavaria, whose blend of scholarly rigor and personal passion for genealogy unveils the remarkable layers of Italian history hidden within civil records. Our exploration takes you through the twists and tales of Katherine’s Italian lineage, revealing how the meticulous documentation of Napoleon’s era and the detailed narratives of church chronicles can offer more than just names and dates. They sketch out occupations, social relationships, and the societal pulse

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What Are The Top Ten Italian Surnames

Did you know that there are over 300,000 Italian surnames!  That’s more than any other country in the world. We have complied the top ten below.  Chances are that your name is not in this group, but for those interested in learning more, the book above list 7,500.  More importantly, we get great insight into the origin of surnames and given names.  Click on the photo and enter IR2020 at checkout for a 20% discount.

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Our Italian Surnames

There are over 300,000 Italian surnames and the origins are really very interesting.  Have you ever thought about the origin of your Italian name?  If so, I’d like to recommend the book “Our Italian Surnames” by Joseph G. Fucilla.  While this book does not list all 300,000 Surnames, it does give us great insight into the evolution of both given names and surnames. Our Italian Surnames covers every fact of Italian names and naming practices. It

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