The surname Izzo is of Italian origin. It derives from various sources, one being a short form of the given names Giuseppe (Joseph) and Giosuè (Joshua), both of which were common in medieval Italy. Another possible source is the nickname for someone with a dark complexion, derived from the Italian word "iso," meaning 'dark'. The surname may also have originated as a topographical name for someone who lived near an ice-house or other cold storage facility, as "izzo" is a term used in some parts of Italy to refer to an ice-house.
The surname Izzo is an Italian name of Sicilian origin, derived from the medieval Latin word "hospitium," meaning "inn" or "hostel." It was often given as an occupational name to people who worked at inns or hostels, providing lodging and services to travelers. The name evolved over time, with variations such as Izzillo, Izzo di Napoli, and Izzo di Capua, reflecting regional differences and nobility claims. Notable persons bearing the surname Izzo include the Italian singer-songwriter Pino Daniele, the footballer Antonio Candreva, and the American writer John A. Izzo. The name is also found among the Jewish community in Italy, where it was adopted as a surname by converts to Christianity.
Geographical distribution of the last name Izzo
The surname Izzo is predominantly Italian in origin and primarily found in Southern Italy, particularly in the regions of Naples, Campania, and Calabria. It also has a significant presence in Sicily. In terms of geographical distribution globally, a large number of people with the last name Izzo can be found in countries with a strong Italian diaspora, such as the United States, Argentina, Brazil, Canada, and Australia. In the U.S., the highest concentrations of the surname are in states with high Italian-American populations like New York, Pennsylvania, and New Jersey. In Argentina, Izzo is one of the most common Italian surnames. Similarly, in Brazil, it's primarily found in regions with significant Italian immigration, such as São Paulo and Rio Grande do Sul. These distributions reflect historical migration patterns of people with the Izzo surname from Italy to other parts of the world.
Variants and spellings of the last name Izzo
The surname Izzo has several variations and spellings, mostly due to differences in transliteration and regional dialects over time. Here are some common versions:
1. Izzo: This is the most standard form of the name, originating from Italy, where it means "lizard" or "frog".
2. Iozzo: A slightly altered version of Izzo, often found among Italian-American families.
3. Isso: A Portuguese variant of the Italian surname Izzo.
4. Issaoui: This spelling is common among Tunisian Arabic speakers and may be a variation or adaptation of the Italian name Izzo.
5. Iseo: An Italian locality name that has been used as a surname.
6. Issoye: A French toponymic name derived from a place called Issogne, which comes from the Latin "insula" meaning island, and "iacum," a farm or estate.
7. Izotov: A Russian form of Izzo, which may have been given to immigrants from Italy as a patronymic surname (meaning son of Izzo).
8. Izo: A Basque variant of the name, though more commonly used as a separate name in this language.
9. Issa: While not directly related to Izzo, it is a similar-sounding Arabic name that may sometimes be confused with it due to phonetic similarities.
Famous people with the last name Izzo
Luca Izzo is an Italian professional footballer who plays as a defender for Serie A club Genoa and the Italy national team. Born in Naples, he began his career at Napoli's youth academy before joining their senior squad. In 2016, he was named in the UEFA Europa League Squad of the Season. Tom Izzo is an American basketball coach who has served as head coach for Michigan State University's men's basketball team since 1995. Under his leadership, the Spartans have won a Big Ten Conference regular-season title every year from 2014 to 2020 and reached the Final Four of the NCAA Division I Men's Basketball Championship in 2009, 2010, 2015, and 2019. Carmelo Anthony Izzo is an American professional basketball player who last played for the Portland Trail Blazers of the National Basketball Association (NBA). He was drafted third overall by the Denver Nuggets in the 2003 NBA Draft and has also played for the New York Knicks, Oklahoma City Thunder, Houston Rockets, Atlanta Hawks, Chicago Bulls, and Los Angeles Lakers. Izzo was named to the All-NBA Third Team in 2013.
Genealogical research on the last name Izzo
The surname Izzo is of Italian origin and is believed to have derived from various places in Italy, most notably Naples and Sicily. The name is thought to be a variant of the Greek name Isaac or Iacobus (James). The Izzo family has a significant history in southern Italy, with one of the most prominent branches being the Norman-Sicilian Dukes of Aversa, who ruled in the 11th and 12th centuries. Over time, many members of the Izzo family migrated to other parts of Europe, particularly France and Spain, where they continued to hold notable positions. Today, the surname Izzo is common in Italy, as well as in communities with Italian ancestry worldwide. Notable individuals bearing this name include boxer Arturo Gatti, footballers Paolo Di Canio and Marco Borriello, and television personality Giuliana Rancic.
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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