Last Name Poli

The surname "Poli" has origins that can be traced back to several different countries and cultures. In Italy, it is an occupational surname derived from the Latin word "polus," meaning millstone or grindstone, suggesting a profession related to grinding grain. It may also have come from the word "politus," meaning polished or well-rounded, indicating a craftsman who worked with metal. In Poland, the surname Poli is less common but can be found among the Tatar minority, where it could potentially originate from a Tatar or Mongolian name such as Pulad or Puladin. Overall, the exact origin of the surname "Poli" depends on the specific family history and location, as it can have various meanings across different cultures and regions.

Learn more about the origin of the last name Poli

The meaning and origin of the last name Poli

The surname Poli is an Italian and Jewish (Ashkenazic) name of ancient origins. In Italian, "Poli" translates to "pullets," which refers to young chickens, indicating that the original bearer may have been a poultry farmer or dealer. Alternatively, it could be a topographic name for someone who lived near a small flat-roofed house, as the word "poliglio" in ancient Latin meant such a structure. The surname Poli can also be a shortened form of various Italian given names containing "Pol" or "Polo," such as Silipolus, Apollonius, or Policarpus. In Jewish contexts, Poli is an Ashkenazic variant of the surname Pohl (meaning "fustian" or coarse woolen fabric in German). Over time and across borders, variations of this name have emerged, such as Polish, Pollack, or Pollard, reflecting the diverse historical migration patterns of its bearers.

Geographical distribution of the last name Poli

The surname Poli is predominantly Italian, with a significant concentration in the central and northern regions such as Emilia-Romagna, Tuscany, Lombardy, and Piedmont. According to genealogy databases, it is also common in Sicily, particularly around Palermo and Catania. In Switzerland, Poli is mainly found in the Italian-speaking canton of Ticino. Additionally, there are notable populations of people with the surname Poli in Argentina, Uruguay, Brazil, and other South American countries, reflecting the Italian migration to these regions during the 19th and early 20th centuries. While less common, the Poli name can also be found in France, particularly in Corsica, due to historical links with Italy. Outside Europe and South America, there are smaller numbers of people with this surname in the United States, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand, primarily due to immigration from Italy during the 20th century.

Variants and spellings of the last name Poli

The surname Poli can have various spelling and pronunciation variations, reflecting regional differences and family lineage. Some common variants include Polli, Polly, Pooli, Pouli, Pooley (originating from English-speaking countries where the name may undergo phonetic changes), and Polley. These variations can also appear in different languages due to transliteration or local customs; for example, it may be spelled as Polli in Italian, Polsky in Polish, Pólyi in Hungarian, or Поли (Poli) in Russian. Additionally, there might be regional dialect differences, such as Polley in Appalachia or the Southern United States, where the 'o' sound is often pronounced differently from the standard English 'o'.

Famous people with the last name Poli

Notable individuals sharing the surname Poli include:

1. Giuseppe Poli (born 1937), an Italian mathematician who made significant contributions to number theory and algebraic geometry.
2. Marco Polo (c. 1254–1324), a Venetian merchant and adventurer, best known for his travelogue "The Travels of Marco Polo," which documented his journeys along the Silk Road to China during the Mongol Empire.
3. Stefano Poli (born 1960), an Italian theoretical physicist who specializes in high-energy physics and particle theory. He is currently a researcher at the European Organization for Nuclear Research (CERN).
4. Francesca Poli (born 1987), an Italian actress, best known for her roles in "L'amica geniale" (2015) and "Il mio migliore nemico" (2016).
5. Emanuele Poli (born 1990), an Italian footballer who currently plays as a defender for Italian club U.S. Lecce. He has also represented the Italy national team at various youth levels.

These individuals represent a diverse range of accomplishments in mathematics, exploration, physics, acting, and sports.

Genealogical research on the last name Poli

The surname Poli is of Italian origin, deriving from the occupational name for a miller or baker, from the Latin word "molendinarius". It is most commonly found in Central and Northern Italy, with significant populations in Tuscany, Emilia-Romagna, Lombardy, and Veneto. The earliest recorded spelling of the name dates back to 1150 AD, in the form of "Molendinus" in the records of the Archbishopric of Ravenna. Notable historical figures bearing the name include Giovanni Poli, a 16th-century painter from Bologna, and Giuseppe Poli, an Italian mathematician and engineer in the 19th century. Genealogical research suggests that the Poli family migrated to various parts of Europe and the Americas, particularly to France, Switzerland, Germany, Argentina, and the United States, due to political instability, economic opportunities, and religious persecution.

Last name distribution maps

Sources & References

• INSEE statistics on the surname "Poli"
• 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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