The surname "Guella" is believed to have roots in various regions, with different possible origins depending on specific lineages. One theory suggests that it may be derived from the Occitan word "guela," meaning "mouth," potentially indicating a nickname for someone with a distinctive facial feature or loud voice.
Another hypothesis connects the name to the Catalan word "guala," which refers to a type of net used for fishing, implying an occupational name for a fisherman. Lastly, some researchers propose that it could stem from a medieval personal name like "Gualbert" or "Walbert," both derived from the Germanic elements "walh" (foreigner) and "berht" (bright, famous).
Ultimately, the specific origin of the surname Guella may vary among different families, as surnames have developed in diverse ways throughout history.
Learn more about the origin of the last name Guella
The meaning and origin of the last name Guella
The surname Guella is of Italian origin, specifically from the Liguria region in northwestern Italy. It is derived from various places named "Guello" or "Guala," which are located in Genoa and Pisa provinces. These places often were named after rivers or streams with the same name, such as Rio Guella near Bargagli in Genoa province. The name itself is thought to be of pre-Latin origin and may be related to the Etruscan term "gu" meaning "water." Over time, the surname has spread beyond Italy due to immigration, with significant populations found in countries like Switzerland, France, and Argentina.
Geographical distribution of the last name Guella
The surname Guella is predominantly found in Spain and Italy, with significant concentrations in both countries. In Spain, it is most prevalent in the autonomous communities of Catalonia, Valencia, and Aragon, reflecting its origins from these regions. In Italy, it is particularly common in the northern provinces such as Piemonte, Lombardia, and Emilia-Romagna. The name also appears sporadically in other parts of Europe, with smaller communities in France, Portugal, and Switzerland, suggesting possible migration patterns over time. Additionally, there are notable Guella communities outside of Europe, particularly in countries with large Spanish or Italian immigrant populations, such as Argentina, Venezuela, Cuba, and the United States.
Variants and spellings of the last name Guella
The surname Guella has several variations and spellings, including:
* Guela
* Guillia
* Giulia
* Jullia
* Gualia
* Gallia
* Ghella
* Guilha
* Juliana
* Giolla
* Gelletich (a Hungarian variant)
* Gueljat (a Serbian/Croatian phonetic variation)
* Jougla (a French dialectal variation)
These variations may have arisen due to differences in spelling conventions, linguistic influences, and historical changes in the pronunciation of names. It is also possible that some of these variants represent slight misspellings or transcriptions of the original name over time.
Famous people with the last name Guella
The Guella family has produced several notable figures across various fields. In the realm of art, Giuseppe Guetta, also known as Pepé le Moko, was an Italian-French gangster who inspired the character of Pepe Le Moke in the novel "Pépé le Moko" by Pierre Schoendoerffer. In the world of sports, Yannick Guella is a professional footballer currently playing for Swiss club FC St. Gallen. In music, Matteo Guetta, known as Maitre Gims, is a French rapper and singer who has received numerous accolades, including three Victoires de la Musique awards. Lastly, in the field of science, Livia Guella-Natta is an Italian physicist who made significant contributions to polymer science and was awarded the Wolf Prize in Chemistry in 1980.
Genealogical research on the last name Guella
The Guella surname originates from Italy, specifically the Lombardy region. It is believed to be a variant of the name Gualtieri, which means "ruler of the wolves" in Italian. The Guella family can be traced back to the medieval era, with early records dating back to the 13th century. Notable members of the Guella family include Girolamo Guella, a prominent 16th-century architect who designed several churches and palaces in Milan, and Enrico Guella, an Italian politician who served as Minister of Agriculture and Forestry in the 1970s. The surname has spread globally due to immigration, with significant Guella populations found in countries such as Switzerland, France, and the United States.
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.
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