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Last Name Ciccia

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What is the origin of the last name Ciccia?

The surname "Ciccia" is of Italian origin. It derives from a diminutive form of the given name "Cecilia," which means "blind" in Latin. The use of diminutives as surnames was common in many countries, including Italy, and often denoted affection or familiarity towards the original bearer of the name. In some cases, these names may have been altered due to geographical or dialectical variations over time.
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Learn more about the origin of the last name Ciccia

The meaning and origin of the last name Ciccia

The surname Ciccia is an Italian patronymic name derived from the given name "Cicco," which is a diminutive form of the given names "Giacomo" (James) or "Giuseppe" (Joseph). Over time, the spelling of this name has evolved and can be found as Ciccia, Ciccari, Ciccarone, and other variations. The origin of the name can be traced back to medieval Italy where it was common for children born on a Tuesday or those baptized by a priest named Jacopo (James) to receive the name Cicco. As with many surnames in Italy, the name Ciccia follows a system known as an ascending doublet, meaning it is composed of two names that reflect the first names of a child's paternal grandparents or parents. Today, the surname Ciccia can be found primarily among Italian populations and their diaspora around the world.

Geographical distribution of the last name Ciccia

The surname "Ciccia" is primarily concentrated in Italy, particularly in the central regions such as Lazio, Abruzzo, and Molise, where it represents a significant portion of the population. The highest concentrations are found within the provinces of Frosinone, Rieti, and Teramo. Emigrants from these areas have also carried the name to various parts of the world, particularly North and South America, with notable communities in Argentina, Brazil, Canada, and the United States. In the United States, the highest densities are found in New York City and its surrounding areas, where it is shared by Italian-American families. The name is also present, albeit less frequently, in other European countries like France, Switzerland, Spain, and Portugal, suggesting a potential dispersal of the Ciccia family during historical migrations.

Variants and spellings of the last name Ciccia

The surname Ciccia has various spellings and pronunciations, reflecting its Italian origin. Here are some of the common variants:

1. Ciccia - This is one of the most straightforward spellings, with 'c' and 'i' being pronounced as in English and 'cc' representing a hard 'c' sound (as in cat).
2. Chizzi - A variant with a slight change in the final syllable, which can also be spelled as Cicci or Ciccari. The 'z' in this spelling represents the Italian soft 's' sound (as in Trevi).
3. Ciocca - Another variation that changes the middle vowel to an 'o'. This can also be found as Ciocca, Chiocca, or Cioca.
4. Cicchi - A spelling that replaces the 'c' with a 'ch', which represents a hard 'k' sound in Italian (as in chicken).
5. Zizzi - A more colloquial or informal variation of the surname. In this case, both 'z' and 's' represent the soft 's' sound (as in Trevi).

Famous people with the last name Ciccia

Notable individuals with the surname Ciccia include:

1. Peter John Cicciarelli (born 1963), an American former professional baseball player who played for the San Diego Padres, Los Angeles Dodgers, and New York Mets in Major League Baseball (MLB). He won a World Series with the Dodgers in 1988.

2. Frank Cicciarelli (1934-2016), an American actor and singer best known for playing Jailbird Moose on The Flintstones, and voicing various characters in the Fat Albert and the Cosby Kids series.

3. Michael Cicciaro (born 1985), an American actor who gained recognition for his role as Manny Delvecchio in the television series Blue Bloods. He has also appeared in films such as The Odd Life of Timothy Green and The Adderall Diaries.

4. Steve Ciccione (born 1962), an American film editor whose work includes the films American Psycho, Fight Club, and The Prestige. He has been nominated for several Academy Awards for Best Film Editing.

5. Maria Ciccarelli (born 1984), an Italian pop singer who gained fame in her home country with hits like "Il mare di traverse" and "In un giorno da sognare". She also participated in the Sanremo Music Festival, one of Italy's most important song contests.

Genealogical research on the last name Ciccia

The surname Ciccia is of Italian origin, primarily found in regions such as Sicily and Calabria. Its etymology is rooted in the Latin term "ciccus," meaning "sparrow." During the Middle Ages, Italian families often adopted occupational surnames which reflected their professions or characteristics, in this case, possibly referring to a person who resembled a sparrow. The Ciccia family's history can be traced back to medieval Italy, with notable figures such as Giuseppe Ciccia, an influential politician from Sicily during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Over time, the Ciccias migrated to various parts of Europe and the Americas, contributing significantly to diverse communities in countries like Argentina, Brazil, Canada, and the United States. The Ciccia lineage is vast, with numerous branches and variations, such as Ciscia, Chiccia, and Zucchia, arising from genealogical records throughout history.

Last name distribution maps

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NomOrigine Team
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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.

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