Last Name Del-vitto

The surname "del Vitto" is an Italian patronymic name derived from a given name. The name "Vitto," a variant of "Giuseppe," originated as a diminutive form of the Hebrew name "Yosef" (Joseph), which was popularized by Saint Joseph, the husband of Mary and foster father of Jesus in Christian tradition. The prefix "de" or "del" in Italian surnames indicates "of" or "from," implying a connection to a place. In this case, the name "del Vitto" may indicate that the bearer was from a place associated with the name "Vitto." However, without specific historical records, it's impossible to pinpoint the exact location with certainty.

Learn more about the origin of the last name Del-vitto

The meaning and origin of the last name Del-vitto

The surname Del-Vitto is an Italian patronymic name derived from the given name Vitto or Vittorio, which means victory in Latin. The "-del" prefix is a common element in Italian and Sardinian surnames, often indicating a place where the original bearer of the name once resided. In this case, Del-Vitto might have originally been used to identify an individual who came from a location associated with Saint Vitus or Vittore. The use of hyphenated surnames in Italy became more prevalent during the Middle Ages and the Renaissance as populations grew and social structures evolved, creating a need for distinguishing family names. Today, Del-Vitto is found among Italian-American families and can be traced back to various regions of Italy, with some notable concentrations in southern and central Italy.

Geographical distribution of the last name Del-vitto

The surname Del-Vitto is predominantly Italian in origin and has its highest concentration in Italy, particularly in regions such as Campania, Lombardy, and Veneto. Beyond Italy, significant populations carrying the name can be found in countries with large Italian diaspora communities, including Argentina, Brazil, the United States, and Canada. In the United States, Del-Vitto is most prevalent in states with a high Italian American population like New York, Pennsylvania, and New Jersey. The surname's presence in other regions globally can be attributed to migration waves from Italy during the 19th and early 20th centuries.

Variants and spellings of the last name Del-vitto

The surname Del-Vitto has several variations and spellings. Some common variations include DeLavito, De Lavito, Delavitte, Delavito, and Devito. These variations can be attributed to differences in transcription, transliteration, and assimilation over time. In Italian, the name is typically spelled as "Del Bianco" or "De Lucia," with "Del Bianco" meaning "of the white" and "De Lucia" meaning "of the light." The American version, Del-Vitto, seems to be a phonetic adaptation that combines these two Italian names. It's important to note that these variations can occur due to various factors such as immigration, cultural influences, or personal preference. Therefore, individuals with any of these spellings may share a common ancestry or origin.

Famous people with the last name Del-vitto

Notable individuals with the surname Del Vito include:

1. Vincent D'Onofrio (born 1959), an American actor known for his roles in films such as "Men in Black," "Full Metal Jacket," and TV series like "Daredevil."

2. Joseph D'Onofrio (born 1963), a professional wrestler who competed under the ring name Vito, best known for his time with World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE).

3. Maria Bello (born 1967), an American actress who has starred in movies like "A History of Violence" and TV shows such as " ER" and "NCIS: Los Angeles." Although her birth name is Maria Elena del Vito Bello, she uses the stage name Maria Bello professionally.

4. Michael DelOrco (born 1976), an American actor known for his roles in television series like "The O.C." and "Greek."

These individuals have made significant contributions to their respective fields in film, television, and professional wrestling.

Genealogical research on the last name Del-vitto

The del-Vitto surname is of Italian origin and is commonly found among Italians, particularly those from the regions of Sicily and Calabria. Its meaning translates to "of the little life" or "little dwelling."

One notable individual with the del-Vitto surname is Joe Del Vicario, also known as Joe Del Vito, an American singer who gained fame in the 1960s and 1970s. Other famous individuals include Italian actress Elena Sofia Ricci and Italian footballer Marco Del Vecchio.

Del-Vitto can be traced back to medieval Italy, with records indicating that the name was first found in the form of Vitto or Vittorio during the 13th century. Over time, various spellings have appeared due to differences in transliteration and regional dialects, including Delvito, delVeccio, delViti, delVicci, and others.

The del-Vitto family is believed to have originated from the town of Catania, Sicily, with branches later spreading to other parts of Italy and eventually emigrating to various countries around the world, including the United States, Canada, Australia, and South America.

Last name distribution maps

Sources & References

• INSEE statistics on the surname "del-vitto"
• 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

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