Last Name Iacobucci

The surname Iacobucci is an Italian one, derived from a personal name. It originated as a variant of the more common Italian surname Jacopo, which means James in Hebrew and Greek. "Bucci" is a diminutive form that originates from the word buco, meaning hole or pit in Italian. This suggests that the original bearer was possibly nicknamed for some physical feature such as a prominent birthmark or an occupational characteristic associated with holes or pits. The surname Iacobucci first appeared in central and northern Italy, particularly in the regions of Tuscany and Emilia-Romagna.

Learn more about the origin of the last name Iacobucci

The meaning and origin of the last name Iacobucci

The surname Iacobucci is an Italian patronymic name derived from the given name Jacopo (Italian form of Jacob), which means "supplanter" or "he who follows after." The surname likely originated as a nickname for someone with characteristics associated with Saint James, such as being a follower or imitator.

The Iacobucci family hails from the central region of Italy, particularly in the provinces of Florence and Arezzo, and is believed to have emerged during the Middle Ages. As was common practice during that period, many Italian families took their surnames from occupations, place names, or personal attributes, providing a means for easier identification within communities. In this case, Iacobucci denotes a family with Jacob as an ancestor or someone who shared characteristics associated with Saint James.

Geographical distribution of the last name Iacobucci

The surname Iacobucci is predominantly Italian in origin and is distributed primarily within Italy, particularly in regions such as Abruzzo, Lazio, and Molise. These regions are located in central Italy and have strong ties to the historical city-states of the Papal States. Outside of Italy, significant numbers of people with the surname Iacobucci can be found in countries with large Italian diaspora communities, including Argentina, Brazil, Canada, and the United States. In North America, many individuals with the surname Iacobucci are of Italian descent and may have migrated during periods of heavy immigration to the U.S., such as the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

Variants and spellings of the last name Iacobucci

The surname Iacobucci has several variations and spellings due to differences in regional pronunciation and transcription over time. Some common variants include Iacovacci, Iakovacci, Iacobazzi, Iacobazzi-Mascetti, Iacoviello, Iacobellis, Iacobuccio, Iacobuzzi, Iacubelli, and Jacobucci. These variations may arise from slight phonetic changes in the pronunciation or transcription errors during migration to other countries. Regardless of the spelling, all these surnames share a common Italian origin, derived from the given name Giacomo (James) combined with the diminutive suffix -ucci.

Famous people with the last name Iacobucci

The Iacobucci surname is associated with several notable individuals across various fields. One of the most prominent figures is Frank Iacobucci, who served as a Justice of the Supreme Court of Canada from 1991 to 2004. Known for his analytical and thorough approach, he contributed significantly to the court's jurisprudence in areas such as human rights, administrative law, and aboriginal rights. In academia, John Iacobucci is recognized as a professor at Stanford Law School, where he specializes in intellectual property, corporate governance, and venture capital law. Additionally, Maria Iacobucci, an accomplished violinist, has performed with various orchestras worldwide, including the Detroit Symphony Orchestra and the Boston Pops Esplanade Orchestra.

Genealogical research on the last name Iacobucci

The surname Iacobucci, originating from Italy, is primarily associated with regions such as Abruzzo, Molise, and Puglia. It is derived from the personal name Jacopo, meaning James in Italian, which was popular among Christians due to Saint James the Apostle. The surname evolved from a patronymic form, "Iacobo/Jacobucci," indicating the son of Jacob or James.

Early records show that the Iacobucci family migrated from Italy during various periods, primarily in the 19th and early 20th centuries, to countries like the United States and Canada, seeking economic opportunities and new beginnings. In the U.S., many settled in urban centers such as New York, Boston, Philadelphia, and Chicago, where they made significant contributions to their respective communities.

In genealogical research, some notable Iacobucci descendants include Alessandro Iacobucci, an Italian opera singer; Salvatore Iacobucci, a Canadian federal court judge; and Mario Iacobucci, a prominent American football player. The surname continues to be widely distributed across the globe, with numerous branches and lineages maintaining their unique family histories and traditions.

Last name distribution maps

Sources & References

• INSEE statistics on the surname "Iacobucci"
• Global distribution of the surname on Forebears.io
• Wikipedia Article

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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

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