The surname "De Luca" or "De Lucas" is of Italian origin. It translates to "of the light" or "the lights" in Latin. This surname was likely given as a nickname to someone who had fair complexion, or lived where there was much sunlight, or perhaps worked with lighting such as a candlemaker or lamp-maker. The 'de' prefix is a common element in Italian and Spanish surnames, indicating noble or land ownership origins. In the case of "De Luca," it does not necessarily indicate nobility but rather geographical origins, as many Italian families took their surname from the place they lived.
Learn more about the origin of the last name De-Lucas
The meaning and origin of the last name De-Lucas
The surname De Luca, alternatively spelled as De-Lucas, is of Italian origin and derives from the Latin "de Lucas" or "da Luca," which translates to "of the wolf." This surname was often given to someone who lived near a place where wolves were frequent, or it could have been used metaphorically to denote a person with characteristics associated with wolves, such as bravery or strength. The name became popular in Italy during the Middle Ages and was subsequently brought to other parts of Europe by Italian immigrants. Over time, variations like De Luca, DeLucas, and DeLuca-Mariotti have emerged due to spelling adaptations and regional dialects.
Geographical distribution of the last name De-Lucas
The surname De-Lucas, originating from Italian roots, is most prevalent in countries with significant Italian populations. A high concentration can be found in Italy itself, particularly in regions such as Calabria, Sicily, and Lombardy. In the diaspora, a large number of individuals carrying the name De-Lucas reside in countries like the United States, Canada, Australia, and South America, which received significant Italian immigration during the 19th and early 20th centuries. The name can also be found in smaller numbers within other European nations due to migration between neighboring countries over the centuries.
Variants and spellings of the last name De-Lucas
The surname DeLuca, derived from Italian, can have several variations due to differences in spelling conventions and regional dialects. Some of these include: De Luca, DeLucas, De Lucca, DeLuca-Manning, DeLucchi, DeLucia, DeLucci, and Deluca. Additionally, there might be slight variations based on the specific spelling rules applied in different countries, such as Anglicized versions like De Lusca or Delucas. These variations emphasize the versatility of the name while maintaining its original Italian origin.
Famous people with the last name De-Lucas
Notable individuals with the surname De Luca include:
1. Tony DeLuca, an American professional wrestler who is best known for his time in World Championship Wrestling (WCW). He was a member of The Four Horsemen and won several titles during his career.
2. Robert De Niro Jr., an acclaimed American actor widely considered as one of the greatest actors of all time. Known for his versatile performances, he has won two Academy Awards out of three nominations. His notable films include The Godfather Part II, Raging Bull, Taxi Driver, and Goodfellas.
3. John DeLuca, a Canadian ballet dancer and choreographer. He was the founding director of Boston Ballet's School for Classical Ballet. He has created over 50 original ballets, including the company's productions of Swan Lake, Giselle, The Nutcracker, and Romeo & Juliet.
4. Frank De Luca, an American bodybuilder who was one of the founding members of Joe Weider's International Federation of Bodybuilders (IFBB). He is also known for being the inspiration for the character Big John in the movie Pumping Iron.
Genealogical research on the last name De-Lucas
The surname De-Lucas, originating from Italy, is a patronymic derived from the given name Luca, which means 'light' or 'bringer of light' in Latin. It is commonly found across various regions of Italy, with significant concentrations in Tuscany and Lazio. The family can be traced back to the Middle Ages, with one of the earliest recorded instances being a Giacomo de Luca from Pisa in 1237. Over the centuries, the De-Lucas migrated from Italy, particularly during the European diaspora in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, settling in various parts of North and South America, as well as Australia and Africa. The branches of this family have maintained diverse professions, with notable figures in politics, arts, and sciences throughout history.
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 last name "de Abreu" is of Portuguese origin. It is derived from the place name "Abreu" in the municipality of Penafiel, located in northern Portugal. "de Abreu" signifies "of ...
The surname "de Acarregui" is of Basque origin, which is a historical region located in the northern part of Spain and southwestern France. The Basque people have their own unique ...
The last name "de Almeida" is of Portuguese origin. It is a toponymic surname, meaning it is derived from a place name. In this case, it likely originates from the town or region o...
The last name "de Almeida Chucre" is of Portuguese origin. "De Almeida" is a common Portuguese surname that typically indicates a place of origin, while "Chucre" is likely of Arabi...
The last name "de Almeida Gonçalves" is of Portuguese origin. "De Almeida" is a common surname in Portugal and likely derives from a place name, while "Gonçalves" is a patronymic...
The last name "de Amicis" is of Italian origin. It is derived from the Latin word "amicus", meaning friend, and is likely a surname that was originally used to denote a friendly or...
The surname De Amorim is of Portuguese origin. It is derived from a geographical or occupational name for someone from the village of Amorim, located in several regions across Port...
The surname "De-Ana" is primarily found among individuals of Spanish descent. In Spain, it originated as a locative surname, meaning "from Ana," which could refer to a place named ...
The surname "de Andrade e Silva" is a Portuguese name, composed of three elements:
1. "de" - Originally a preposition meaning "of", often used as a prefix to indicate noble status...
The surname "De Andreis" is of Italian origin. It is derived from the personal name "Andrea", which is the Italian form of the Greek name "Andreas", meaning "manly" or "brave". The...
The surname "De Angelis" is of Italian origin. It is a patronymic surname derived from the personal name "Angelo," which means "angel" in Italian. The prefix "De" indicates nobilit...
The surname "De-Antonio" is of Italian origin. It is derived from a given name, Antonius, which was very common in the Middle Ages and was borne by several saints. The prefix "de" ...
The last name "de Aquino" is of Spanish origin and is derived from the place name Aquino in the province of Frosinone, Italy. It was adopted as a surname by people who hailed from ...
The surname "de Armas" is of Spanish origin, meaning "of arms" or "from the weapons." It is likely to have originated as a surname for someone with a military background or someone...
The surname "De-Arriba" is a Spanish patronymic surname derived from the given name "Álvaro." The suffix "-De-" indicates that it was originally a nickname for someone who was con...
