Last Name Boccarelli

Learn more about the origin of the last name Boccarelli

The meaning and origin of the last name Boccarelli

The surname Boccarelli is of Italian origin, derived from a variety of place names and occupational roles in Italy. It can be a toponymic name for someone who originally hailed from a town called Boccaro or Bocchieri, which are locations in the regions of Emilia-Romagna and Tuscany respectively. Alternatively, it could be an occupational surname referring to a maker of bottles or barrels, as "boccale" means 'little bottle' or 'small mouth' in Italian, and "bottaro" is an old term for a barrel maker. The variation Boccarelli may have emerged due to diminutive suffixes being added to the original surname, such as "-ello" or "-elli," common in Italy, to soften the name. Like many Italian surnames, Boccarelli reflects the region's historical geography and craftsmanship.

Geographical distribution of the last name Boccarelli

The Boccarelli surname, of Italian origin, is predominantly distributed across Italy, particularly in regions such as Tuscany and Lazio. A significant concentration can be found in the provinces of Arezzo, Florence, and Rome, suggesting a historical presence in these areas. Migrations to other parts of Europe, North America, South America, Australia, and New Zealand have resulted in the dispersal of Boccarellis worldwide. In Europe, there are notable populations in countries like Spain, France, and Switzerland. In North America, a large number reside in Canada and the United States, particularly in cities with high Italian-American populations such as New York City, Chicago, and Detroit. In South America, Argentina, Brazil, and Uruguay have significant Boccarelli communities. In Australia, they are predominantly settled in the eastern states, while in New Zealand, their presence is noticeable in Auckland and Wellington.

Variants and spellings of the last name Boccarelli

The surname Boccarelli has various spelling variations, primarily due to differences in transliteration and transcription over time. Some common versions of this Italian surname include:

* Boccarelli
* Boccarely
* Boccarielli
* Boccarilli
* Bocca Relli
* Boccarillo
* Boccaerelli
* Boccaerly
* Boccaarilli

These variations can arise from changes in spelling conventions, regional dialects, errors during the transcription of records, or even simple typos. It's essential to understand that these variations do not necessarily represent distinct surnames but are alternate forms of the original name, Boccarelli.

Famous people with the last name Boccarelli

The Boccarelli family has produced notable individuals across various fields. One of the most renowned is Luca Boccarelli, an Italian footballer who played as a midfielder for clubs like Genoa and Sassuolo. He started his professional career in 2007 and has represented Italy at the youth level. In music, Paolo Bocarelli is known for his operatic tenor voice, having performed in several prestigious venues worldwide, including the Metropolitan Opera and La Scala. In the realm of science, Vittorio Bocarelli, an Italian mathematician, made significant contributions to graph theory and combinatorics. Lastly, Giuseppe Boccarelli, a scholar from the 17th century, was an influential figure in the study of Roman antiquities and served as the first professor of archaeology at the University of Rome.

Genealogical research on the last name Boccarelli

The Boccarelli surname originates from Italy and is primarily found in regions such as Tuscany, Emilia-Romagna, and Lazio. It is a toponymic surname derived from places named Boccarulo or Boccardo, which are located in various parts of Italy. The name has been recorded in historical documents since the late Middle Ages, with one of the earliest records dating back to the 13th century in the region of Tuscany. Over time, the spelling of the surname has undergone various changes due to linguistic and transcriptional variations. Some common spelling variants include Bocarulli, Boccardelli, and Boccardo. The Boccarelli family is believed to have migrated from Italy to other parts of Europe and the Americas during the 19th and 20th centuries. Notable individuals with the surname include Luigi Boccarelli, a 17th-century composer, and Giuseppe Boccarelli, an Italian-American footballer who played professionally in the United States.

Last name distribution maps

Sources & References

• INSEE statistics on the surname "boccarelli"
• Global distribution of the surname on Forebears.io
• Wikipedia Article

About the author :

NomOrigine Team
Passionate about genealogy, name history, and linguistics, we have been analyzing the origins of names for over 3 years. Our content is based on verified historical, etymological, and statistical data.
Last updated : 26 July 2025