Last Name Notarnicola

The surname Notarnicola is of Italian origin. It is derived from a professional occupation. "Notaio" is an Italian word for notary public, and "nicola" is a common male given name. Thus, a person named Notarnicola would have been someone who worked as a notary in the past. In some cases, it may also be a variant of Notarnico or Notarfrancesco, which are similar surnames with the same meaning.

Learn more about the origin of the last name Notarnicola

The meaning and origin of the last name Notarnicola

The surname Notarnicola is of Italian origin and is derived from two separate roots: "nota," which means note or document, and "nicola," a variation of the given name Nicholas. The combination suggests a professional or occupational name for someone who specialized in documents related to Nicholas, possibly as a notary public or scribe. This surname likely originated in regions of Italy with strong ecclesiastical influence, where roles like this were important. Over time, the name has been passed down through generations and can now be found among Italian-American families.

Geographical distribution of the last name Notarnicola

The surname Notarnicola is primarily found in Italy, particularly in the region of Calabria, where it originated. It is also present in smaller numbers in Sicily and other parts of Southern Italy. The name has been traced back to ancient Roman times when it was originally a profession denoting a "lighthouse keeper" or "naval officer." Today, its distribution remains largely concentrated in these Italian regions, with a few instances among the Italian diaspora in countries like the United States and Australia. The Notarnicola family's genealogical records suggest that they migrated from Italy during various periods of historical emigration waves, primarily between the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

Variants and spellings of the last name Notarnicola

The surname Notarnicola has several variants and spellings due to differences in transcription and regional pronunciation over time. Some common variations include: Notar-Nicola, Notarnico, Notarnicholas, Notarnickles, Notarnicoli, Noternicola, Notternicola, Notter Nicola, and Nottarnicola. These variations may be found among different Italian-speaking communities both in Italy and abroad. It is essential to note that the accurate spelling of any name can depend on historical factors such as the specific location where the family originated and the scribe or official who recorded it at a particular time.

Famous people with the last name Notarnicola

The Notarnicola surname is relatively uncommon and has produced a few notable figures across various fields. One such individual is Vincenzo Notarnicola, an Italian politician who served as Undersecretary of State for European Affairs in the Italian government from 2014 to 2016. In the world of academia, there's Giovanni Notarnicola, a Professor of Neurology at the University of Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli" in Italy. The field of art is not forgotten either, with Gaetano Notarnicola being an Italian painter known for his religious and mythological works. Lastly, Giuseppe Notarnicola is a renowned chef who has worked in some of the most prestigious restaurants in Italy before opening his own restaurant, Osteria del Notarnicola, in Naples. These individuals, though not universally famous, have made significant contributions to their respective domains and are notable bearers of the surname Notarnicola.

Genealogical research on the last name Notarnicola

The surname Notarnicola originated from Italy, specifically in the region of Calabria, where it is most prevalent. The name is derived from the Italian "notaio," which means notary, indicating that an early bearer of this surname was a public official responsible for recording legal documents.

The earliest recorded occurrence of the Notarnicola family can be traced back to the 16th century in the town of San Luca, in the province of Catanzaro. From there, families with this name migrated to other parts of Italy and eventually overseas, particularly to the United States, starting in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

Notable individuals with the Notarnicola surname include Giuseppe Notarnicola, an Italian-American painter who was a member of the New York School, and Mario Notarnicola, a professional soccer player from Italy who played for clubs such as Torino FC and the Italian national team. These examples suggest a historical presence of the family in both art and sports.

Last name distribution maps

Sources & References

• INSEE statistics on the surname "Notarnicola"
• 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 : 11 June 2025

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