Last Name Danielo

Learn more about the origin of the last name Danielo

The meaning and origin of the last name Danielo

The surname Danielo is primarily Italian in origin, derived from the given name Daniel, which has roots in Hebrew. In Hebrew, Daniel means "God is my judge." The name became popular during the Middle Ages due to the story of the prophet Daniel found in the Old Testament. Over time, as naming traditions evolved, some individuals bearing the name Daniel began to adopt it as a surname to distinguish themselves from others with the same given name. The Italian form of the name, Danielo, is a diminutive or a more affectionate version of Daniel and is relatively less common compared to its full form in Italy. It is mainly found in regions such as Tuscany, Lombardy, and Emilia-Romagna, though it can be encountered throughout the country. The name carries the rich history and cultural traditions associated with Italian surnames.

Geographical distribution of the last name Danielo

The surname Danielo is predominantly Italian in origin, with the highest concentration of individuals bearing this name found within Italy, particularly in regions such as Lombardy, Tuscany, Emilia-Romagna, and Veneto. The name has also been carried by Italians who have emigrated from Italy to other parts of the world, notably to South America, North America, and Australia. In South America, significant numbers of individuals with the surname Danielo can be found in countries like Brazil, Argentina, Uruguay, and Venezuela. In North America, the United States has a substantial population of individuals with the name, particularly in states such as New York, Florida, and California. The presence of this surname in other parts of the world, such as Australia, is also due to Italian immigration. Overall, while Danielo is most prevalent in Italy, its distribution reflects the historic Italian diaspora.

Variants and spellings of the last name Danielo

The surname Danielo has several variants and spellings across different regions. In Italian, it is commonly spelled as Danielo, although some families may have alternate spellings such as Daniello or Daniele. In Portuguese, the name is usually spelled Danielo, but variations like Danielo or Daniéluo can be found. It's also possible to encounter versions with diacritical marks, like Dânielo or Daniëlo, in other languages that use the Latin alphabet. Additionally, in English-speaking countries, it may be spelled Danielo without a diacritic mark, reflecting the phonetic pronunciation. The various spellings of this surname serve as reminders of the rich cultural history and global dispersal of families bearing the name Danielo.

Famous people with the last name Danielo

Notable individuals with the surname Danieli include:

1. Giuseppe Danieli (1923-1977), an Italian opera tenor who performed in numerous productions across Europe and America, notably at La Scala, San Francisco Opera, and the Metropolitan Opera.

2. Federico Danieli (born 1960), an Italian rower who competed in four Olympic Games between 1984 and 2000, winning a bronze medal in the quadruple sculls at the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics.

3. Paolo Danieli (born 1967), an Italian former footballer who played as a goalkeeper for clubs like Lazio and Sampdoria, and represented the Italian national team in the 1990 FIFA World Cup.

4. Silvia Danieli (born 1983), an Italian actress known for her roles in films such as "The Great Beauty" and "The Son's Room". She won multiple awards for her performances, including a David di Donatello Award and a Nastro d'Argento.

These individuals have made significant contributions to their respective fields of opera, sports, and film, gaining recognition both in Italy and internationally.

Genealogical research on the last name Danielo

The surname Danielo is predominantly Italian in origin, deriving from the given name Daniele or Daniel, which means "God is my judge" in Hebrew. It is believed to have been first used as a personal name during the Crusades when many European crusaders encountered the biblical character Daniel. The surname Danielo likely emerged in Italy, where it spread primarily across the regions of Tuscany, Lombardy, and Emilia-Romagna.

The earliest recorded bearer of the surname was Giovanni Danielo, who lived in the town of Pisa during the 14th century. From there, the family branched out to other Italian cities such as Florence, Bologna, and Milan, where notable members include the painter Bartolomeo Danielo, who worked in the 16th century, and Giovanni Battista Danieli, a renowned architect from the 18th century.

In modern times, variations of the surname can be found throughout Italy as well as in other countries with Italian diaspora populations, such as Argentina, Brazil, Canada, and the United States. The Danielo family's rich history reflects the diversity and dynamism of Italian society over the centuries.

Last name distribution maps

Sources & References

• INSEE statistics on the surname "danielo"
• 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 : 15 June 2025