Last Name Feli

Learn more about the origin of the last name Feli

The meaning and origin of the last name Feli

The surname Feli is primarily associated with individuals from Basque regions of Spain and France. The name is believed to have originated from various sources. One theory suggests that it could be a diminutive form of the given name Felipe or Philip, which means "lover of horses" in Greek. Another theory proposes that it may derive from the Basque word "heli", meaning sun, due to the region's strong Basque linguistic and cultural influence. As with many surnames, its exact origin can be challenging to pinpoint as surnames did not become common until the Late Middle Ages, and records before this period are often sparse or inconsistent.

Geographical distribution of the last name Feli

The surname Feli has a notable distribution across several regions globally, primarily centered in Portugal and Spain due to their Romance language origins. In Portugal, it is most common in the northern region of Minho, particularly in the districts of Braga, Vila Real, and Porto. In Spain, it is predominant in Galicia, a region with its own unique linguistic and cultural history. The name also has presence in other Spanish-speaking countries such as Argentina, Colombia, Mexico, and Venezuela due to migration waves over centuries. Feli is less common but can be found in other European countries like Italy and France. Outside Europe, there are small communities of individuals with the surname Feli in Brazil, the United States, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand, reflecting historical migrations from Portugal and Spain.

Variants and spellings of the last name Feli

The surname Feli can have several variants and spellings due to differences in transcription and transliteration over time and across regions. Some common spelling variations include: Felley, Fellie, Feliou, Feliu, Feoli, Feoley, Feley, Feola, and Folli. These variations can be found primarily among people of Italian, French, or Jewish descent. However, it's important to note that surnames can evolve and change over generations, so these variations may not be evenly distributed among all individuals with the name Feli or its variants.

Famous people with the last name Feli

Notable individuals with the surname Feli include:

1. Feliciano Lopez (born 1981), a professional tennis player from Spain who has competed on the ATP Tour since 2002, reaching a career-high ranking of No. 11 in singles and winning 14 ATP titles.

2. Felipe Felizardo dos Santos Feli (born 1987), commonly known as Felipe Melo, is a Brazilian former professional footballer who played as a defensive midfielder for clubs such as Juventus, Bayern Munich, and Olympique Lyon, and the Brazil national team.

3. Elisabetta Canalis (born 1978), an Italian actress, television host, and model whose surname is derived from her mother's maiden name Feli. She gained international attention for her relationship with actor George Clooney.

4. Dario Feli (born 1983), an Italian professional footballer who played as a defender for various clubs in Italy, including Torino and Reggina.

5. Anais Feli (born 2003), a British actress and model, best known for her role as Isabella "Belle" Francois in the Netflix series 'Fate: The Winx Saga.'

Genealogical research on the last name Feli

The surname Feli is primarily of Italian origin, derived from various places named Feli or Felei across Italy, particularly in regions such as Emilia-Romagna and Tuscany. One notable place bearing this name is the municipality of Felino in the province of Parma, where it is believed that many Feli families may have originated. The surname Feli also has a presence in Spain, likely due to Italian immigration during the Middle Ages. In Spain, it is often spelled as Félix and is associated with notable figures like King Felix III of Asturias. Throughout history, several variations such as Feoli, Faelli, and Filo have emerged due to regional dialects and transcription errors. The Feli family can be traced back to the late Middle Ages, with records suggesting their migration from Italy to various European countries over time.

Last name distribution maps

Sources & References

• INSEE statistics on the surname "Feli"
• 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 : 28 July 2025