Last Name Luparello

Luparello is an Italian surname that originates from the Latin word "lupus" meaning wolf. It was originally a nickname for someone thought to resemble a wolf, perhaps due to physical characteristics, behavior, or even profession. Over time, it became a hereditary surname, passed down through generations within families. In Italy, it is most common in regions such as Emilia-Romagna and Tuscany.

Learn more about the origin of the last name Luparello

The meaning and origin of the last name Luparello

The surname Luparello is an Italian derivative from the diminutive form of "luparo," which means "small wolf" in Italian. The name likely originated as a nickname for someone thought to resemble a small wolf or to have been born under the sign of the Wolf in astrology, which corresponds to Capricorn in the Western zodiac system. Over time, the surname Luparello spread across various regions of Italy, with significant concentrations found in central and northern regions such as Emilia-Romagna, Lombardy, and Tuscany. Today, it is a relatively uncommon name but still widely represented in the Italian diaspora communities around the world.

Geographical distribution of the last name Luparello

Luparello is an Italian surname primarily concentrated within Italy, particularly in regions such as Emilia-Romagna, Marche, and Lazio. The highest concentration can be found in the province of Rimini, Emilia-Romagna, where it represents one of the top 50 most common surnames. Outside of Italy, there are also significant populations of Luparello descendants in countries with large Italian diaspora communities, such as Argentina, Brazil, and the United States. In the U.S., the highest concentration is found in cities like New York, Chicago, and Boston where Italian immigrants settled historically. The name's geographical distribution reflects the historic movement of Italian populations both domestically and internationally.

Variants and spellings of the last name Luparello

The surname Luparello has several variations and spellings due to differences in transcription and translation over time. Here are some of the possible versions:

1. Luparello: This is the most common form of the surname, originating from Italy. It means "little wolf."
2. Luparelli: This is a slight variation of Luparello, with the difference being in the ending -llo versus -lli.
3. Luperello: This is another variant, where the initial 'L' might be pronounced differently depending on the region and family tradition.
4. Luparelly: This is a less common spelling, incorporating an English-like '-ly' suffix at the end.
5. Luparallo, Luperello, Luperalli, Luparali: These are some Italian dialect variations that may have arisen due to regional pronunciation differences.
6. Louparel, Louparrel, Louparelle, Louparil, Louparre: These are French versions of the surname, reflecting the migration of Italian families to France.
7. Wolfarelli, Wolpariello: These are English translations of the surname Luparello, though they may not be as common or widely used.

Famous people with the last name Luparello

Luparello is a relatively uncommon surname, making it challenging to identify globally renowned individuals bearing this last name. However, one notable figure with the surname Luparello is Giuseppe Luparello, an Italian artist and architect who gained recognition for his work on the construction of the San Pietro Apostolo church in Naples during the late 18th century. Another significant individual with the same last name is Maria Grazia Luparello, a prominent Italian economist who has served as the Governor of the Bank of Italy and has been involved in various high-level economic advisory roles. Although not as widely known as some other surnames, the Luparellos have made notable contributions to the fields of art, architecture, and economics.

Genealogical research on the last name Luparello

The Luparello surname is predominantly Italian in origin and is believed to have derived from various locations in Italy, most notably in Tuscany, Emilia-Romagna, and Campania regions. The name is thought to be a variant of "Luparellus," which means "little wolf" or "cub of the wolf."

Historically, the Luparello family can be traced back to the Middle Ages in Italy. Some early records show the existence of the Luparello family in Bologna during the 13th century. Throughout the years, members of the Luparello family have made significant contributions in various fields, including politics, arts, and sciences.

As Italian immigration to North America began in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, many individuals with the surname Luparello emigrated from Italy to countries such as the United States and Canada. Today, there are significant populations of Luparellos living primarily in these two nations.

Last name distribution maps

Sources & References

• INSEE statistics on the surname "luparello"
• 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 : 30 July 2025

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