The surname Avella is of Italian origin. It is derived from a place name, specifically a town named Avella located in the Campania region of Italy. The name of the town comes from the Latin word "apella," which means "small apple." Over time, the name of the town evolved into Avella, and families who originally lived in or around this area took on the surname as their own. This practice of taking on place names as surnames was common during medieval times when population growth required a way to distinguish individuals with similar names.
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The meaning and origin of the last name Avella
The surname Avella is of Italian origin, derived from a place name. It is believed to have its roots in the region of Campania, specifically in the town of Avellino, which is located near Mount Vesuvius. The name "Avellino" itself is thought to be derived from the Latin "Abba Aurelia," meaning "Father's Golden Hill." Over time, this place name evolved into the surname Avella as Italian families began to adopt hereditary names during the Middle Ages. The surname Avella, like many Italian surnames, reflects the geographical origins of the family it represents.
Geographical distribution of the last name Avella
The surname Avella is predominantly Italian in origin and is most concentrated within Italy, particularly in the regions of Campania, Abruzzo, Lazio, and Molise. It is also found in smaller numbers in other Italian-speaking regions such as Emilia-Romagna, Piedmont, and Trentino-Alto Adige/Südtirol. The name has historically been associated with the Avellino province in Campania, from which it likely derives. Outside of Italy, individuals with the surname Avella can also be found in other Italian-immigrant communities, notably in countries such as Argentina, Brazil, Uruguay, and the United States. In these countries, the name may have been anglicized to variations like Avelia or Avellette.
Variants and spellings of the last name Avella
The surname Avella has several variations and spellings due to differences in transliteration, regional dialects, and changes over time. Some common variations include Avela, Avello, Avell, Avelar, and Avalle. These variations may arise from attempts to adapt the name to different languages or dialects, or simply due to transcription errors over generations. It's important to note that these variations might have slightly different origins or meanings depending on their specific etymology. For instance, while some versions of Avella could be derived from Latin words such as "avellare" meaning 'to pluck', others may have roots in other languages like Italian, Spanish, or Hebrew.
Famous people with the last name Avella
Notable individuals with the surname Avella include:
1. Vincent Avella (born 1964), an American actor known for his role as Vito Spatafore on HBO's "The Sopranos."
2. Alessio Avella (born 1989), an Italian footballer who currently plays as a goalkeeper for Crotone Calcio.
3. Giorgio Avella (1926-2015), an Italian philosopher and professor of philosophy at the University of Naples, known for his work on logic and semantics.
4. Giulio Avella (born 1945), an Italian art director who has worked on films such as "Gladiator," "Hannibal," and "The Da Vinci Code."
5. Salvatore Avella (1908-1972), an American mobster associated with the Gambino crime family in New York City. He was known for his involvement in gambling, loan sharking, and heroin trafficking.
Genealogical research on the last name Avella
The surname Avella, originating from Italy, is believed to have derived from various Italian regions including Liguria, Piedmont, and Calabria. One of the earliest records of the family can be traced back to the 13th century in Liguria, where the name was spelled as "Avella" or "Avela". The name may have originated from places named Avella, a city in Campania and Avella, a mountain in Calabria. The family played significant roles in Italian history with notable figures such as Francesco Avella, an Italian patriot who fought for the Italian unification, and Giuseppe Avella, an engineer known for his contributions to the development of the first high-speed trains in Italy. The Avella lineage also has branches in South America due to migration during the 19th century.
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