NomOrigine Background

Last Name Cicirello

What is the origin of the last name Cicirello?

The surname Cicirello is of Italian origin. It is derived from a nickname for someone with curly hair, as "ciri" means "curls" in Italian and "-ello" or "-elli" are common suffixes used to form surnames in Italy. As with many surnames, the specific bearer of the name Cicirello may have taken on this designation to differentiate themselves from others in their community. The use of a descriptive nickname as a surname was particularly common among peasants and artisans during the Middle Ages when many people were identified by their profession, physical characteristics, or place of origin.

Learn more about the origin of the last name Cicirello

The meaning and origin of the last name Cicirello

The surname Cicirello is an Italian patronymic derived from the given name Ciriello, which means "little cirio" in Latin, referring to a candle or lighted taper. It was predominantly found in Southern Italy, particularly in regions such as Apulia and Campania. The spread of the Cicirello surname can be attributed to migration patterns from these areas, primarily to America during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Over time, various spelling variations have emerged due to differences in transliteration and regional dialects, such as Cisarrello, Cisarello, Zisarelli, or Zizarelli. The name is common among Italian-Americans and remains a significant identifier of Italian heritage within the diaspora.

Geographical distribution of the last name Cicirello

The last name Cicirello is predominantly found in Italy, particularly within the region of Campania and surrounding areas such as Naples and Caserta, which have historically high populations of Italian-Americans. It is also common in Sicily, another significant source of Italian immigration to North America. In the United States, Cicirello is most concentrated in states with a large Italian-American population, such as New York, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Rhode Island. Additionally, there are significant numbers of individuals with this surname in other parts of the United States, particularly in California, Illinois, and Michigan, where Italian immigrants settled during various waves of immigration to the country. Beyond North America, smaller populations can be found in South America, Australia, and Europe.

Variants and spellings of the last name Cicirello

The surname Cicirello has several variations and spellings, reflecting its Italian origin. Some common versions include Cisciorello, Chisciorello, Ciccirelli, Cizcirello, and Ciccirelli. These variations can occur due to differences in transcription, regional dialects, or personal preferences when emigrating from Italy. Additionally, assimilation during the immigration process may result in slight modifications to the spelling. For instance, some branches of the family might use "Cisciorelle," "Chisiorelly," or "Sizcirelio" as their surname. It's essential to understand that these variations are all related and share a common ancestry, with the original Italian name likely being Cicirello.

Famous people with the last name Cicirello

Among individuals bearing the surname Cicirello, three notable figures have gained significant attention:

1. Vincent "Vinny" Ciccarelli - An American actor and stuntman, he is best known for his role as Johnny LaRue in the popular 90's TV series, "Married... with Children." Additionally, Ciccarelli has worked on numerous films and television shows, including "The Terminator," "Beverly Hills Cop II," and "The Flintstones."

2. Steven Cicirello - An esteemed mathematician, he is a Full Professor at Virginia Tech and an expert in algebraic geometry. His research focuses on moduli spaces of stable maps and Bridgeland stability conditions. He has received numerous awards for his contributions to the field.

3. Joe Cicarello - A former NFL player who played defensive tackle for the Houston Oilers from 1980-1987, he was a key member of the team that won Super Bowl XIX against the Dallas Cowboys in 1985. After his football career, Cicarello worked as a coach and scout for several NFL teams.

Genealogical research on the last name Cicirello

The Cicirello surname originates from Sicily, Italy, specifically the city of Palermo. It is derived from the Latin term "Cicerellus," meaning little chickpea, which was a common name for someone who sold or worked with these legumes. The Cicirellos are part of the larger Italian diaspora, many of whom emigrated to North and South America in the late 19th and early 20th centuries to escape poverty and political instability in Sicily. The most common variants of this surname include Cicirelli, Cisarello, and Cicarelli. Notable individuals with this surname include boxer Arturo Gatti, singer Frankie Valli, and actor John Cicarelli. Genealogical research suggests that the Cicirellos share a common ancestry in Sicily but have diverse family histories due to the widespread migration of bearers of this name.

Last name distribution maps

Chargement de la carte...

Sources & References

About the author :
NomOrigine Team
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 : 15 June 2025

Share the origin of your last name with your friends

Search the origin of a family name

Enter the surname you are looking for below:

Similar Last Names

Cicarelli (Last name)

surnames > cicarelli

The last name Cicarelli is of Italian origin. It is derived from the personal name "Cicarello," which is a variant of the name "Cicero," a Roman family name. The name "Cicarelli" i...

Ciccarello (Last name)

surnames > ciccarello

The last name Ciccarello is of Italian origin. It is derived from the personal name "Ciccarello," a diminutive form of the name "Francesco," which is the Italian form of "Francis."...

Cicchelero (Last name)

surnames > cicchelero

The last name "Cicchelero" is of Italian origin. It is derived from the word “cicchello,” which means a small piece or fragment, and the suffix “-ero,” which indicates some...

Ciccia (Last name)

surnames > 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 commo...

Ciccone (Last name)

surnames > ciccone

The surname "Ciccone" is of Italian origin. It comes from the Latin name "Cicco", which was a pet form derived from "Gaius" or "Gaio", both of which were Roman names. Over time, th...

Ciceri (Last name)

surnames > ciceri

The last name "Ciceri" is of Italian origin. It is derived from the word "cicerium," which means chickpea in Latin. This surname likely originated as an occupational name for someo...

Cicero (Last name)

surnames > cicero

The surname Cicero is of Italian origin. It is derived from the Latin personal name Cicero, which means "chickpea". The name may have been given to someone who grew or sold chickpe...

Cichocki (Last name)

surnames > cichocki

The last name Cichocki is of Polish origin. It is derived from the Polish personal name Cichocki, which is a diminutive form of the given name Cichomir, composed of the elements "c...

Cici komalasari (Last name)

surnames > cici-komalasari

The last name "Cici Komalasari" originates from Indonesia. "Cici" is a common Indonesian given name, typically used as a nickname for girls. "Komalasari" is a compound name derived...

Cicilia nismara (Last name)

surnames > cicilia-nismara

The last name Cicilia Nismara appears to have Italian origins. The name "Cicilia" likely has roots in the Latin name "Cecilia," which means "blind" or "gray-eyed." The surname "Nis...

Cicio (Last name)

surnames > cicio

The last name "Cicio" is of Italian origin. It is derived from the personal name "Francisco," which means "Frenchman" in Italian. The surname may have originated as a nickname for ...

Cicvaric (Last name)

surnames > cicvaric

The last name "Cicvaric" is of Slavic origin, specifically from Serbia and Croatia. It is derived from the word "cicvara," which means a traditional Balkan dish made from cornmeal ...