Last Name Ciliberti

Learn more about the origin of the last name Ciliberti

The meaning and origin of the last name Ciliberti

The surname Ciliberti is an Italian surname with origins rooted in Southern Italy, particularly Sicily. It is derived from the medieval naming system that often designated occupations or characteristics. The name Ciliberti can be broken down into two parts: "cilio," meaning "eyelash" or "whisker," and "berto," a diminutive of the personal name Berto, which was a popular Germanic given name in medieval Europe. Thus, Ciliberti may have originally been an occupational surname for someone who had a job related to eyelashes or whiskers, such as a barber or a maker of brooms or brushes. However, the exact origin and meaning can vary depending on specific family histories, so it's always best to consult genealogical research for more accurate information about individual cases.

Geographical distribution of the last name Ciliberti

The surname Ciliberti is predominantly Italian in origin, with a significant concentration found in the Campania region, particularly in and around Naples. It's also common in the regions of Lazio, Sicily, and Puglia. Emigrants from these areas brought the name to other parts of Italy, as well as to various countries worldwide due to Italian immigration waves during the 19th and 20th centuries. The United States is home to a large number of Cilibertis, with high populations found in cities such as New York, Philadelphia, Boston, and Chicago. Outside of Italy, Argentina, Canada, and Uruguay also have notable concentrations of individuals bearing the surname Ciliberti.

Variants and spellings of the last name Ciliberti

The surname Ciliberti has several variations and spellings, primarily due to differences in transcription over time and across regions. Some common variants include:

1. Ciliberti - a variation with the 'i' replaced by an 'e'
2. Cilletti - a possible misspelling or regional variant of Ciliberti
3. Giliberti - a variation where the 'c' is replaced by a 'g', often found in Italian-speaking regions
4. Colliberti - a variation with a slight alteration in the spelling order, possibly due to transcription errors or dialectal influences
5. Jiliberti - a possible anglicized version of Ciliberti
6. Cillibardi - a variant where 'erti' is replaced by 'ardi', which is another Italian surname ending
7. Calilberti - a variant with the 'c' inverted to a 'q', often seen as a typographical or phonetic variation.

It is important to note that these variations may have different frequencies and distributions, depending on geographic location and historical context.

Famous people with the last name Ciliberti

Notable individuals with the surname Ciliberti include:

1. Joe Ciliberti (born 1936), an American professional wrestler who was known for his appearances in National Wrestling Alliance territories and World Championship Wrestling (WCW). He won several championships throughout his career spanning from the late 1950s to the mid-1980s.

2. Lou Ciliberti (1937-2019), an American politician who served as a member of the New York State Senate for the 43rd district from 1996 until his retirement in 2012. He was also a former member of the Erie County Legislature and mayor of Tonawanda, New York.

3. Mario Ciliberti (born 1958), an Italian economist and academic who is a full professor at the Università della Tuscia in Viterbo, Italy. He has published extensively on economic theory, public finance, and fiscal federalism.

4. Nick Ciliberti (born 1987), an American professional wrestler who performs under the ring name Homicide. He is best known for his work in Ring of Honor and Combat Zone Wrestling (CZW).

These individuals have made significant contributions to their respective fields, whether it be in sports, politics, academia, or entertainment.

Genealogical research on the last name Ciliberti

The Ciliberti surname is of Italian origin, primarily found in southern regions such as Sicily and Calabria. It is derived from various places named Ciliberto or Ciliverti, which in turn are believed to be modifications of the Latin "Cilivertus," a name given to someone who lived near a cilium, a small tuft of grass or a wisp of cloud. The earliest known record of this surname is Giuseppe Ciliberto from Palermo, Sicily, in 1560. Throughout history, the family has shown significant presence in various professions, including agriculture, politics, and the military. Notable figures with the Ciliberti name include Giovanni Battista Ciliverti (1745-1813), a prominent physician and philosopher, and Antonio Ciliberto (born 1962), an Italian journalist and writer. The family's diaspora extends to other parts of the world, with large populations in the United States, Canada, and Australia.

Last name distribution maps

Sources & References

• INSEE statistics on the surname "ciliberti"
• 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