The surname Miceli is of Italian origin. It is a variation of the original Sicilian surname Micali or Micale, which is derived from the given name "Michele," the Italian form of the name Michael in English. The name was brought to Italy by Normans during their conquest of Sicily in the 11th century and has been common in that region since then. Surnames became widespread in Italy in the late Middle Ages, around the 14th century, as a way to distinguish between individuals with the same given name living in the same area.
Learn more about the origin of the last name Miceli
The meaning and origin of the last name Miceli
The surname Miceli is of Italian origin, derived from the medieval given name Michiel, which is a variant of the biblical name Michael. In medieval times, it was common for surnames to be patronymic, meaning they were based on the father's first name. Therefore, Miceli likely originated as a surname for a son named Michiel or for someone who was associated with this individual. Over time, the spelling of the name has evolved due to regional variations and changes in language pronunciation. Today, the name is predominantly found in Italy, but it can also be found among Italian descendants in other parts of the world, particularly in countries like Argentina, Brazil, Canada, and the United States.
Geographical distribution of the last name Miceli
The surname Miceli is predominantly Italian in origin, with the majority of its occurrences concentrated within Italy. Specifically, it is most prevalent in regions such as Sicily and Calabria, where it has been traced back to medieval times. Significant populations of people bearing this name can also be found in other parts of Italy, including Campania, Lazio, and Abruzzo. Outside of Italy, the Miceli family name can be encountered among Italian diaspora communities in countries such as Argentina, Brazil, Canada, the United States, and Australia. In these locations, the distribution reflects the historical migration patterns of Italians, with high concentrations in urban areas like New York City and Toronto. It is worth noting that the Miceli name has also appeared in smaller numbers within other European nations, particularly France and Spain, due to historical ties between their respective regions and Italy.
Variants and spellings of the last name Miceli
The surname Miceli has several variations and spellings. Some common forms include:
* Micali - A variant spelling with an "i" instead of an "e" at the end, which is more commonly found among Italian-American families.
* Michelangelo - A renowned artist's name derived from Miceli, often used as a given name or middle name rather than a surname in some cultures.
* Mychal - A variation that adds a "y" to the beginning, often found among Irish and Scottish immigrants who anglicized their Italian names.
* Mickel - Another variation with a "k" instead of a "c." This spelling may be found in some rural or isolated communities where Italian immigration was less common.
There are also regional variations within Italy itself, as the name Miceli is common in many regions including Sicily and Calabria. Some possible spellings based on these local dialects include:
* Micali (Sicilian)
* Mickelli (Calabrian)
* Mikali (a variation found in northern Italy)
Famous people with the last name Miceli
The Miceli surname has been associated with notable figures across various fields. In entertainment, Paul Miceli, known as "Pauly Shore," is an American comedian and actor, best recognized for his roles in films like "Encino Man" and the MTV series "Totally Pauly." From the realm of academia, Vincent Miceli, a professor emeritus at the University of Pennsylvania, has made significant contributions to the study of French literature. In sports, Mickey Miceli was a professional baseball player who spent eight seasons in Major League Baseball as a pitcher for the New York Giants and St. Louis Cardinals. Additionally, there is Michael Miceli, an American composer known for his work on several television series, including "Grey's Anatomy" and "Scandal." Each of these individuals has made unique and valuable contributions in their respective fields.
Genealogical research on the last name Miceli
The Miceli surname is of Italian origin, primarily found in Sicily and Calabria regions. It is derived from the Latin "micium" or "micia," meaning "microbe" or "fungus," due to its original bearers being associated with the cultivation of mushrooms or fungi for food.
The Miceli family can be traced back to the Norman Conquest of Sicily in 1061, where many Italian surnames were adopted from feudal titles or occupations. The Miceli family played significant roles in local politics and social structures, with notable members such as Giuseppe Miceli, who was a prominent jurist and politician during the Kingdom of Italy's unification in the 19th century.
Throughout history, various branches of the Miceli family migrated from Sicily to other parts of Italy and eventually to foreign countries, including the United States, Argentina, Canada, Australia, and Brazil. The Miceli surname continues to be widely dispersed globally, with notable figures in various fields such as politics, science, arts, and sports bearing this name.
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 :
Share the origin of your last name with your friends
The surname Mic (or Mick) has several possible origins depending on the region and ethnic group. Here are a few possibilities:
1. Irish: The surname Mic is an Anglicized form of t...
The last name "Micah" is of Hebrew origin, derived from the personal name "Mikha," which means "who is like Yahweh?" It is believed to be a variation of the name Michaiah, which ap...
The last name "Oliveros" has Spanish origins and is derived from the personal name "Oliver," which comes from the Latin name "Oliverius." The name was commonly used as a given name...
The last name "Micallef" has its origins in Malta, a small island nation located in the Mediterranean Sea. It is considered a Maltese surname. The name "Micallef" is believed to be...
The surname Micano is of Italian origin. It is believed to have derived from the word "mica" which means "crumb" or "morsel" in Italian. This last name may have originally been a n...
The surname Micciche is of Italian origin. It is a variant of the more common Italian surname Meschiti or Meschita, which originates from southern Italy, particularly Sicily and Ca...
The surname Miccoli is of Italian origin. It is derived from a diminutive form of the given name Michele, which is the Italian version of Michael, a name with Hebrew origins meanin...
The surname Micek is of Czech origin. It is derived from a diminutive form of the given name Mikulas, which is the Slovak and Czech version of Nicholas, a name with Greek origins. ...
The last name "Mizee" is of Dutch origin. It is derived from the given name "Michiel," which is the Dutch form of the name "Michael." This surname likely originated as a patronymic...
The last name "Michael" originates from the Hebrew name "Mikha'el," meaning "Who is like God?" It is a common name in many Western cultures and is often used as a given name as wel...
The surname Michaeli has its origins in several different countries, primarily in those with Hebrew-speaking populations. It is a patronymic surname derived from the given name Mic...
The surname Michaelides has its roots in Greece. It is derived from the Greek given name Michail (Μιχαήλ), which is the Greek form of Michael, a name of Hebrew origin meaning...
The surname Michaelis is of German origin and derives from a variety of sources. One possible origin is from the male given name Michael, which was popularized by the archangel Sai...
The origin of the last name "Michaels" is primarily English, German, or Swedish.
In English, "Michaels" is a patronymic surname derived from the given name "Michael," which origi...
The last name Michaelsen is of Danish, Norwegian, or German origin. It is a patronymic surname, meaning "son of Michael." The name Michael is of Hebrew origin and means "Who is lik...
