Last Name Chiappa

The surname Chiappa is of Italian origin. It is derived from a occupational name for someone who was a maker or seller of small metal objects, such as nails or tacks. In Italian, "chiappa" means "small spike." This surname may also have origins in various regions of Italy, including Lombardy and Tuscany, and it is most common among people with Italian ancestry.

Learn more about the origin of the last name Chiappa

The meaning and origin of the last name Chiappa

The surname Chiappa is an Italian patronymic name derived from the male given name Giacopo (James), which is a common name in Christianity. The surname originated as a nickname for someone who was named Giacopo at birth or baptism, and over time, it became hereditary. The name Chiappa, specifically, has its roots in the region of Tuscany in Italy. It may have several variations such as Ciappi, Ciaponi, Ciapponi, Ciacchi, and others due to dialectal differences and spelling changes over the centuries. As a result, the surname is relatively common among Italians, particularly those from central and northern regions of Italy.

Geographical distribution of the last name Chiappa

The surname Chiappa is predominantly Italian in origin and has a significant concentration within Italy, particularly in regions such as Tuscany, Umbria, Lazio, and Emilia-Romagna. Beyond Italy, the distribution of the name Chiappa also extends to other Italian-speaking countries like Switzerland and parts of France, due to historical migration. Additionally, small populations bearing the surname can be found in various South American countries with significant Italian diaspora communities, including Argentina, Brazil, and Uruguay. In North America, the highest number of individuals with the surname Chiappa are primarily of Italian descent and reside in the United States, particularly in regions with a high concentration of Italian immigrants, such as New York, Pennsylvania, and Illinois.

Variants and spellings of the last name Chiappa

The surname Chiappa has several variations and spellings in different countries and historical periods. Some common variants include Chappo, Chappawa, Chyappa, and Tschiappa. These variations may have arisen due to differences in spelling conventions or phonetic translations over time and across geographical regions. In Italian, the surname is primarily written as Chiappa, but it can also be found as Chiazza or Chiassetta as a result of regional dialects or changes in orthography. In other languages, such as French, German, or Polish, the name might have been modified to conform to local linguistic rules. For instance, in French, it could become Cheyppe, while in German, it could be spelled Tschiappe. It's essential to consider these variations when conducting genealogical research or dealing with historical records from diverse cultural backgrounds.

Famous people with the last name Chiappa

Notable individuals bearing the surname Chiappa include:

1. Alessandro Chiappa (born 1978), an Italian professional motorcycle racer who competed in MotoGP between 2003 and 2006.
2. Angelo Chiappa (1927-2015), an Italian Roman Catholic prelate who served as the Bishop of Pagosa Springs from 1984 to 2002.
3. Giuseppe Chiappa (born 1963), an Italian footballer who played as a midfielder, best known for his time at Juventus and Ajax Amsterdam.
4. Paolo Chiappa (born 1957), an Italian comics artist and writer who has worked on several popular series, including Dylan Dog and Diabolik.
5. Stefano Chiappa (born 1987), a professional off-road motorcycle racer who competes in the FIM SuperEnduro World Championship.
6. Vincenzo Chiappa (born 1977), an Italian retired footballer who played as a striker, most notably for Juventus and Fiorentina.

These individuals have made significant contributions to various fields such as sports, religion, and art.

Genealogical research on the last name Chiappa

The Chiappa surname originates from Italy and is predominantly found in the regions of Abruzzo, Molise, and Tuscany. It is an occupational name derived from the Italian word "chiavista," meaning "key-keeper" or "locksmith." The name may also be associated with the Latin term "clavus," meaning nail or bolt. The first recorded use of the surname dates back to the 13th century in Italy. Notable figures bearing this last name include Giovanni Chiappa, a 16th-century Italian painter and engraver, and Antonio Chiappa, an astronaut from Italy who flew on the Space Shuttle Discovery in 2005. The Chiappa clan migrated to North America during the late 19th and early 20th centuries, settling primarily in the United States, particularly in states like New York, Massachusetts, and California.

Last name distribution maps

Sources & References

• INSEE statistics on the surname "chiappa"
• 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 : 29 July 2025

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