Piergiovanni is an Italian surname that is composed of two elements derived from the given names Piero (meaning "rock" or "solid") and Giovanni (meaning "God is gracious"). It is likely a variant or diminutive form of Piergianni, which means "John (or John's) rock." The name may have originated as a nickname for someone who was strong and solid like a rock, or it could have been given to a person named Giovanni whose parents wanted to give him an additional name that emphasized his strength. It is most commonly found in Italy.
Learn more about the origin of the last name Piergiovanni
The meaning and origin of the last name Piergiovanni
The surname Piergiovanni is an Italian patronymic name derived from the given names Pietro (Peter) and Giovanni (John). The name likely evolved as a combination of these two names, with "Pier" being a contraction of Pietro and "-giovanni" indicating John. This name signifies that the original bearer was either named both Peter and John or had a father named Peter and a son named John. The origin of Piergiovanni can be traced back to Italy, reflecting the country's historical practice of using patronymic surnames. Over time, the spelling variations of this name have emerged due to differences in transcription and transliteration, such as Pier-Giovanni or Pierjovanni.
Geographical distribution of the last name Piergiovanni
The surname Piergiovanni is primarily found within Italy, specifically in regions such as Abruzzo and Molise, which are located in the central part of the country. It's believed to have originated from the town of Atri in the province of Teramo, Abruzzo. Outside of Italy, there are small communities of people with the surname Piergiovanni in countries such as the United States, Canada, Australia, and South America, particularly Brazil and Argentina. These diaspora populations are largely a result of Italian immigration during the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
Variants and spellings of the last name Piergiovanni
The surname Piergiovanni has several variations and spellings, mostly due to differences in transliteration and regional dialects. Some common variations include Piergiovanni, Piergiovanelli, Piergiovannelli, and Piergiovinelli. These variations may arise from slight changes in the accent marks, additional or omitted 'l's, or alterations in the ending vowel. Other less common variations might include Piergioianni, Piergioiuanni, and Piergionni. It is also worth noting that some individuals may hyphenate the name when passing it down through generations, resulting in forms such as Piergiovanni-Bianchi or Piergiovanni-Rossi. These variations reflect the diverse history and migration patterns of people bearing this surname.
Famous people with the last name Piergiovanni
Piergiovanni is an Italian surname, and while it may not be as common as some others, it has been borne by several notable individuals. One such person is Giuseppe Piergiovanni, a renowned opera singer from Italy who achieved international success during the early 20th century. Another significant figure with this surname is Anthony Piergiovanni, an American artist and designer who is best known for his work in the fields of architecture, industrial design, and product design. Lastly, Piergiovanni Caputo, a Canadian professional ice hockey player, has also made a name for himself in the sports world. Born in 1967, he spent most of his career playing for various teams in the National Hockey League (NHL). These individuals, each excelling in their respective fields, have contributed to the recognition and prestige associated with the Piergiovanni surname.
Genealogical research on the last name Piergiovanni
The surname Piergiovanni, of Italian origin, is a composite name derived from two elements: "Pietro" (meaning rock or stone) and "Giovanni" (John). This surname has its roots in the Middle Ages, primarily among Italians. Notable figures bearing this name include the medieval poet Pier Giuseppe Piergiovanni (1743-1805), and more recently, Marco Piergiovanni, a distinguished Italian footballer. The Piergiovannis were traditionally concentrated in regions such as Tuscany and Umbria, although migration has spread the name globally, particularly to countries with large Italian diaspora communities like the United States, Canada, Australia, and Argentina. genealogical research into the Piergiovanni lineage is a fascinating exploration of Italian heritage and history.
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 Pearce or Pierce is of Old English origin. It is derived from a variety of given names that were popular in England during the Middle Ages, including Percival, Pierro, ...
The surname Piech is of Polish and German origin. It comes from the occupational name for a builder or mason, derived from the Middle High German word "pîh" meaning "peasant," and...
The surname Piechocki is of Polish origin. It derives from a geographical place name, specifically from a town named Piechotka or Piechociń in Masovia, a region in eastern Poland....
The surname "Piechota" is of Polish and Czech origin. It translates to "infantry" in both languages, derived from the Slavic word "piechota," which means foot soldier or infantry. ...
The surname Piechowski is of Polish origin. It is derived from a place name and indicates that an ancestor was from a village named Piechowice, which exists in several regions of P...
The last name "Pieckhardt-Carvalho" is a combination of two distinct surnames, each originating from different parts of the world.
The "Pieckhardt" part is of German origin. It is...
The last name "Pieczonka" was originally from Poland. It is a common Polish surname derived from the Polish word "piec", which means "baked" or "oven". Probably the name originally...
The surname Piek is of Polish origin and is derived from various geographical locations in Poland with the same name, such as Piaski (Sands) or Piék (Peak). It may also be a nickn...
The surname Piekarzewicz is of Polish origin. It is derived from the occupation of a "piękarz" or a peasant who worked as a bricklayer. The name was most likely formed by adding t...
The surname Piela has origins that can be traced back to several European countries. In Poland, it is believed to have derived from a topographic name for someone who lived by a pe...
The surname Pieper has Germanic origins. It is derived from the Middle High German word "piper," meaning a pipe or a piping instrument, as well as a reference to a pepperer or a sp...
The surname Pierangeli is of Italian origin. It is derived from the personal name Angelus, which means "angel" in Latin. The suffix "i" at the end indicates a patronymic surname me...
The surname Pierdon-Besserat is a compound French surname, composed of two elements: "Pierdon" and "Besserat".
The origin of the first part, "Pierdon", is unclear as it does not a...
The surname Pieri is an Italian patronymic name derived from the given name Pietro (Peter in English). It is common among people from Tuscany and other regions of Italy. The name e...
The last name Pieries is of Portuguese and Sri Lankan origin. It is derived from the Portuguese personal name Pereira, which means "pear tree" in Portuguese. This surname is common...
