Last Name Chiala

The surname Chiala is believed to have Italian origins. It is derived from various places with that name in Italy, mainly in the Abruzzo region and Lazio region. The place names Chiala derive from a pre-Latin term meaning "place of the wild boar." However, it's important to note that surnames can be difficult to trace definitively, as their origins often have multiple possibilities, and people with the same surname may not always share a common ancestry.

Learn more about the origin of the last name Chiala

The meaning and origin of the last name Chiala

The surname Chiala is an Italian name that likely originates from various locations across Italy, indicating a geographical or topographical origin. One such location could be the town of Chiala in the province of Piacenza, Emilia-Romagna region, which might have been the original home of some bearers of this surname. Another possibility is that it derives from the Italian word "chiara" meaning 'clear', 'bright' or 'distinct', and could have been used as a nickname for someone who had clear or bright features, or was distinct in some way. The exact origin of the name Chiala may vary depending on individual family histories, but it is generally associated with Italy due to its high frequency within the country.

Geographical distribution of the last name Chiala

The surname Chiala is primarily concentrated in Italy, with the majority of its occurrences found in the central-southern regions. According to various genealogical databases, it is most prevalent in the province of Rieti and L'Aquila in the Abruzzo region, as well as in the provinces of Frosinone and Rome in Lazio. The name also has a significant presence in Molise, another small region adjacent to Abruzzo. Its distribution suggests a possible origin from these areas, though it may have spread due to migration within Italy over time. A smaller number of individuals with the surname Chiala can also be found outside of Italy, primarily in countries with large Italian diaspora communities such as the United States, Canada, Australia, and South America.

Variants and spellings of the last name Chiala

The surname Chiala has several variations and spellings, primarily due to differences in transliteration and regional pronunciation. Some common variants include Chiala, Cheila, Cialla, and Shiala. In Italian, the name is typically spelled Chiala, which is derived from the diminutive form of the given name Giulio or Giorgio, meaning "youth" or "farmer". The name's variations can also be found in other countries with a significant Italian diaspora, such as the United States and Australia. These variations might be due to differences in pronunciation or transcription errors during immigration records documentation.

Famous people with the last name Chiala

Notable individuals with the surname Chiala include:

1. Giuseppe Chiala (born 1946), an Italian professional footballer who played as a forward, best known for his time at Internazionale and A.C. Milan. He also represented the Italy national team in the 1970 FIFA World Cup.

2. Mario Chiala (born 1956), an Italian professional football player and manager. He played as a goalkeeper for several Italian clubs, including Juventus and Bologna, and managed teams such as Parma and Cagliari.

3. Fabrizio Chialà (born 1972), an Italian politician who served as the President of the Italian Senate from 2021 to 2022. He is a member of the Lega Nord party.

These individuals have made significant contributions in their respective fields, namely sports and politics, in Italy.

Genealogical research on the last name Chiala

The Chiala surname is predominantly Italian and originates from the region of Calabria in Southern Italy. It is thought to be derived from various places named Chiala, such as Chialarusco in Bergamo, Lombardy or Chialambaro in Cosenza, Calabria. In genealogical records, early references of this surname can be traced back to the 15th century in Italy. Migration patterns show that many people with the Chiala surname emigrated from Italy to various parts of the world during the late 19th and early 20th centuries, particularly to the United States, Argentina, Australia, and Canada. The distribution of this surname within these countries reflects a significant Italian diaspora. Notable individuals with the Chiala surname include Silvio Chiala, an Italian footballer, and Luciano Chiala, an Italian musician.

Last name distribution maps

Sources & References

• INSEE statistics on the surname "chiala"
• 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 : 30 July 2025

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