The surname Ciancio is of Italian origin. It is derived from the male given name "Giovanni," which means "God is gracious" in Hebrew. Over time, it evolved into various regional forms such as Gianni, Zanoni, and Ciancio. The name became a surname when individuals migrated to different regions and needed unique identifiers. Italian surnames typically originated from the given names of the ancestors or nicknames of the first bearer, their occupation, place of origin, physical characteristics, clothing, or religious affiliations.
Learn more about the origin of the last name Ciancio
The meaning and origin of the last name Ciancio
The surname Ciancio is an Italian patronymic name derived from the given name Gianciotto, which is a diminutive form of Giovanni or John. The name's popularity is largely concentrated in Southern Italy, particularly in Campania and Calabria. It is believed to have originated during medieval times when surnames were first adopted in Italy as a way to distinguish individuals with the same given names. Over time, variations such as Cianciotto, Ciacio, and Giacchia evolved from the original form of Gianciotto. The name Ciancio signifies a familial connection to someone named Giovanni.
Geographical distribution of the last name Ciancio
The surname Ciancio has a significant presence in Italy, particularly in regions such as Campania, Apulia, Calabria, and Sicily. These areas are historically part of the Mezzogiorno or the southern part of Italy. Emigrants from these regions carried the name Ciancio to various parts of the world during the 19th and 20th centuries, leading to its presence in countries like Argentina, Brazil, Canada, and the United States. In the US, New York City and New Jersey have substantial populations with this last name due to the large Italian immigration during those periods.
Variants and spellings of the last name Ciancio
The surname Ciancio is an Italian one, derived from the Latin word "ciniancius" meaning little vineyard. It has several variations and spellings, most commonly found as:
1. Cianciolo (singular), Ciancioli (plural)
2. Cianzio, Cianzi, Ciangi, Ziani
3. Chiancio, Chianzi
4. Giansante or Iansante (a possible short form of the name, derived from San Giovanni)
5. Ciangola
6. The anglicized versions include Johnson, Giunson, Janison and Jenison.
These variations may arise due to differences in regional pronunciation, transcription errors during immigration, or deliberate alterations to assimilate into different cultures.
Famous people with the last name Ciancio
Notable individuals with the surname Ciancio include:
1. John Cianciola (born 1943), an American professional football player who played as a quarterback for the New York Giants and Buffalo Bills.
2. Vincent Thomas "Vinny" Cianci Jr. (1928-2018), an American politician who served as the Mayor of Providence, Rhode Island, for three non-consecutive terms from 1975 to 1987 and from 1991 to 2002.
3. Maria Cianci (born 1946), an American operatic soprano known for her performances in works by composers such as Verdi, Puccini, and Wagner.
4. Tony Cianci (born 1957), a Canadian professional ice hockey player who played for teams including the New York Rangers, Detroit Red Wings, and Boston Bruins.
5. Steve Cianciolo (born 1965), an American musician who is best known as a guitarist for bands such as Sunn O))), Om, and Corrections House.
These individuals have made significant contributions in various fields, including sports, politics, and music.
Genealogical research on the last name Ciancio
The surname Ciancio, originating from Italy, is believed to have roots in the Sicilian region, specifically Palermo. Historically, it's derived from various sources, including "Cianci" or "Gianci," nicknames based on physical characteristics like a red-haired person (from the Italian word "ciano" meaning blue-gray) or someone with a cheerful and lively disposition (from the Sicilian dialect word "ciucci" meaning chirpy). The surname may have also been a topographic name for someone who lived near a cypress tree. The Ciancio family migration records show a significant presence in America, primarily in New York and Pennsylvania, due to mass immigration in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Notable individuals with the surname include Giovanni Cianci, an Italian-American mobster who controlled the Genovese crime family's activities in Brooklyn during the 1960s and 1970s.
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 :
Share the origin of your last name with your friends
The surname "Cia" is of Italian origin. It is a short form of the given names Giacomo (James) and Giuseppe (Joseph). The name has its roots in ancient Rome, as both James and Josep...
The surname Ciaccio/Ciacciero is of Italian origin, derived from a Roman family name that originated in ancient Rome. It is thought to be related to the Latin word "capax," which m...
The last name "Cialona" is of Italian origin. It is derived from the Italian word "ciao," which means "hello" or "goodbye." The name likely originated as a nickname for someone who...
The surname Cialone is believed to have Italian origins. It derives from the given name Giuliano, which means "youthful" in Latin. Over time, it evolved into various forms such as ...
The surname "Ciambrone" is of Italian origin. It derives from a place-name in Sicily, Italy, specifically Ciambra, a town located in the province of Messina. Surnames were adopted ...
The last name Cianfarani is of Italian origin. It is a surname that is believed to have originated from a place name in Italy. The name likely comes from the combination of "Ciano"...
The surname Cianfarra has its origins from Italy. It is derived from a medieval naming convention known as an occupational name. In this case, it is believed to have been originall...
The surname Cianflone is believed to have Italian origins, specifically from the region of Calabria, located at the "toe" of Italy's boot-shaped peninsula.
The name may be derived...
The surname Cianjuer is of Spanish origin. It is derived from the place name Xàtiva, a city in the province of Valencia, Spain. Over time, the surname may have undergone spelling ...
The last name "Cianjur" is of Indonesian origin, specifically from the town of Cianjur in West Java. It is likely derived from the name of the town or region itself.
Cianjur Kidul is a Javanese last name from Indonesia. The name likely originates from the city of Cianjur in West Java, which is known for its cultural heritage and traditional art...
The surname Ciano has Italian origins. It is derived from a place name, likely one of several locations in Italy bearing the same name, such as Ciano in the province of Massa-Carra...
The last name Ciano Shigeo is of mixed origin. "Ciano" is of Italian origin, derived from the Latin word "Caecus" meaning "blind". "Shigeo" is of Japanese origin, possibly derived ...
The last name "Ciao Ciao" is likely of Italian origin. "Ciao" is a common Italian word meaning "hello" or "goodbye," and it is possible that the last name "Ciao Ciao" could have or...
