NomOrigine Background

Last Name Dicocco

What is the origin of the last name Dicocco?

The surname Dicocco is believed to have Italian origins and is derived from the occupational name "d'Oca," meaning "of the duck." This surname was often used by people who were involved in raising or hunting ducks. Over time, the name evolved into its current form, Dicocco, with variations such as DiCoco and DeCoco also existing. It's important to note that surnames were not always hereditary in Italy, and a person could change their surname based on occupation, geographical location, or other factors.

Learn more about the origin of the last name Dicocco

The meaning and origin of the last name Dicocco

The surname Dicocco is an Italian patronymic name, derived from the personal name Di Cocco. The name "Cocco" itself has various possible origins. One theory suggests it originated from a nickname for someone with curly hair or a round face (from the Italian word "cocco," meaning 'hen's egg'), while another theory links it to the occupational name for a pastry chef, derived from the Old Italian word "cocciare," meaning 'to bake.' The "Di" prefix in this context is a common Italian addition to personal names, signifying that the namebearer was a descendant of someone with the given name. Over time, the surname has been spelled differently due to various regional variations and phonetic changes over centuries.

Geographical distribution of the last name Dicocco

The last name Dicocco is primarily found in Italy, with significant concentrations in the regions of Campania and Abruzzo. Its origins can be traced back to the town of Cocoate, located near Salerno in Campania. Over time, variations such as DiCocco, DeCocco, and Dicoco have emerged due to differences in spelling and transliteration. While Italy remains the origin point for most individuals with this surname, there are also Italian-descended populations around the world where the last name has been dispersed, particularly in countries like the United States, Canada, Australia, and Argentina, where significant numbers of Italian immigrants have settled.

Variants and spellings of the last name Dicocco

The surname Dicocco can be found with various spelling variations due to differences in transliteration, transcription errors, regional dialects, and family preferences over time. Some common variants include DiCocco, De Cocco, D'Cocco, DiCocho, DiCochio, and DeCocco. These variations stem from the Italian origin of the name, which is derived from the occupation 'cocoia' or 'cocciaro', meaning a potter or tile-maker. It's important to note that these variations may also arise due to migration patterns, where the name might have been anglicized or transcribed differently in different regions.

Famous people with the last name Dicocco

Notable individuals with the surname Dicocco include:

1. Giuseppe D'Ambrosio Dicocco (born 1968), an Italian-Canadian professional ice hockey coach and former player who played in both the National Hockey League (NHL) and the International Hockey League (IHL).

2. Vincenzo D'Amico Dicocco (1934–2015), a Canadian businessman, politician, and philanthropist of Italian descent who served as a Member of Parliament for the riding of St. Paul's in Toronto, Ontario from 1988 to 1993.

3. Luca Dicocco (born 1967), an Italian conductor, musicologist, and organist known for his work with early music ensembles.

4. Stefano D'Amico Dicocco (born 1978), a Canadian actor and writer of Italian descent, best known for his roles in the television series "Degrassi: The Next Generation" and "Life With Derek."

These individuals have made significant contributions to various fields including sports, politics, and music.

Genealogical research on the last name Dicocco

The surname Dicocco is believed to have origins in Southern Italy, specifically the region of Calabria. Variations such as DiCocco, DeCocco, and Cocco also exist. Notable figures with this last name include Giuseppe DeCotis D'Amico di Cocco, a Sicilian nobleman and politician from the 1800s. In the United States, the surname became more common due to immigration from Italy in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Genealogical records suggest that some Dicoccos originate from the towns of Reggio Calabria and Catanzaro. Further research could be conducted using Italian civil, church, and emigration records to trace family histories and identify specific lineages within the surname Dicocco.

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 : 27 July 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

Dicay (Last name)

surnames > dicay

The last name "Dicay" is of Filipino origin. It is derived from the Visayan word "dikay," which means "big" or "important."

Dichos (Last name)

surnames > dichos

The last name "Dichos" is of Spanish origin. It is a patronymic surname derived from the word "dicho," meaning "saying" or "proverb." It is possible that the surname was originally...

Dichosa (Last name)

surnames > dichosa

The last name Dichosa is of Spanish origin. It is derived from the Spanish word "dichoso" which means "happy" or "fortunate."

Dichoso (Last name)

surnames > dichoso

The last name "Dichoso" originates from the Spanish language and is derived from the word "dichoso," which means happy or fortunate. It likely originated as a nickname for someone ...

Dichu (Last name)

surnames > dichu

The last name Dichu is of Irish origin. It is derived from the Gaelic personal name "Diucu", meaning "kite". The name can also be found in ancient Welsh literature referring to a w...

Dichupa (Last name)

surnames > dichupa

The last name "Dichupa" is of Sephardic Jewish origin, derived from the Hebrew word meaning "to cover" or "to protect." It likely originated in Spain and Portugal and was brought t...

Dickens (Last name)

surnames > dickens

The surname Dickens is of English origin and it is derived from a nickname meaning "son of Dick" or a topographic name for someone who lived near a ditch or dyke. The Old English t...

Dickerson (Last name)

surnames > dickerson

The surname Dickerson is of English origin and is derived from a nickname for someone who was thought to be a clever, cunning, or shrewd person. It is derived from the Middle Engli...

Dickman (Last name)

surnames > dickman

The surname Dickman is of German origin, derived from a nickname for a strong or valiant man. It comes from the Middle High German "diete" meaning "rich" and "mann" meaning "man." ...

Dicko (Last name)

surnames > dicko

The surname "Dicko" appears to have multiple possible origins. 1. West African: In West African cultures, particularly in Mali, Senegal, and Guinea, "Dicko" is a common surname a...

Dicks rivalland (Last name)

surnames > dicks-rivalland

The last name "Dicks Rivalland" is of English origin. It is believed to be a combination of the English surname "Dicks" and the French surname "Rivalland." "Dicks" is a patronymic ...

Dicosta (Last name)

surnames > dicosta

Please wait, data loading. It may take 1 minute or 2...

Dicranian (Last name)

surnames > dicranian

The last name Dicranian is of Armenian origin. It is derived from the given name Dikran, which means "little father" or "son of the lord" in Armenian. It is a common surname among ...

Dicruez (Last name)

surnames > dicruez

The last name "Dicruez" is likely of Spanish origin. It may be derived from the word "cruz," which means "cross" in Spanish. It is possible that the surname originally referred to ...

Dicruze (Last name)

surnames > dicruze

The last name "Dicruze" is of French origin. It is derived from the French word "de la cruze," meaning "of the cross." This surname likely originated as a topographic name for some...