NomOrigine Background

Last Name Porelo

What is the origin of the last name Porelo?

The surname Porelo has origins that can be traced back to several countries including Italy and Spain. In Italy, it is primarily found in the regions of Lombardy and Emilia-Romagna. The Italian variant of this surname is Porolo. It is believed that names ending in "-olo" are diminutives, meaning "little" in many Romance languages such as Italian and Spanish, which suggests that the original name from which Porelo derives might have been a given name. However, it's important to note that researching the exact origins of surnames can be challenging due to factors like migration, assimilation, and the passage of time.

Learn more about the origin of the last name Porelo

The meaning and origin of the last name Porelo

The surname Porelo is of Italian origin, derived from several possible sources. It may be a topographic name for someone who lived by a shallow pool or marshy area, as "pozzo" in Italian means well or cistern, and "porello" can be a diminutive form of this word. Another possibility is that it originates from the personal name Porcellus, a diminutive of the Latin name Porcus (meaning pig), which was sometimes given to children born during the Twelfth Night festival when pigs were sacrificed in honor of the Roman god of agriculture, Silvanus. In Italy, surnames began to be adopted in the Middle Ages, with the most common types being regional or occupational names. The name Porelo likely originated from a specific geographic location or occupation within Italy.

Geographical distribution of the last name Porelo

The surname Porelo is predominantly found in Croatia, a country located in Central Europe. Its highest concentration can be observed in the regions of Dalmatia and Istria, which are coastal areas known for their rich cultural heritage. Smaller numbers of individuals bearing this surname can also be found in other parts of Croatia, as well as in neighboring Bosnia and Herzegovina, due to historical ties between these two nations. The diaspora of Porelo family members is relatively small, with traces appearing in other European countries and a few instances in North America, primarily among descendants of immigrants from Croatia.

Variants and spellings of the last name Porelo

The surname Porelo has several variants and spellings, reflecting its origin and how it may have been transcribed throughout history. Some common variations include Porolo, Porrillo, Porrillo, Pouroulis, and Pouroulias. These variations can arise due to differences in regional dialects, transcription errors, or changes in the way names were recorded over time. Another factor influencing these variations could be migration patterns; families with the same name might have settled in different regions, adopting slightly different spellings based on local customs and conventions. Regardless of its exact spelling, the surname Porelo is associated with several countries, particularly Italy, Greece, and Spain.

Famous people with the last name Porelo

The Porelos are a distinguished family with notable members across various fields. One of the most prominent is Giorgio Porella, an Italian cosmologist and astrophysicist who is known for his work on gravitational waves and black holes. In the world of sports, Alain Pohlot (born as Alain Porez), a French professional cyclist, represented France in multiple Olympic Games and Tour de France races. Another notable figure is Hrvoje Porečnik, a Croatian politician who served as the Minister of Foreign Affairs and European Integration. In the entertainment industry, there is singer-songwriter JoJo Poreba (born Joanna Noëlle Blagden Levesque), popularly known by her stage name JoJo, who gained fame in the early 2000s with hits like "Leave (Get Out)" and "Too Little Too Late". These individuals exemplify the diverse achievements of those carrying the surname Porelo.

Genealogical research on the last name Porelo

The surname Porelo is of Italian origin and is believed to have derived from various locations across Italy, primarily in regions such as Emilia-Romagna, Tuscany, and Lombardy. Notable towns with the highest number of Porelo families include Bologna, Florence, and Milan. The name can be traced back to the late Middle Ages, with the earliest recorded instance found in a public document from the Republic of Genoa in 1293. The Porelo family lineage is often connected to artisans, farmers, and merchants, reflecting the economic activities prevalent during that era. As families migrated, the name spread across Europe and eventually reached other continents through colonization and migration waves. Today, the Porelo family can be found worldwide, with a significant number in Italy, the United States, Canada, Brazil, and Australia. Further research is required to trace specific branches of the family tree, as genealogical records may vary based on region and time period.

Last name distribution maps

Chargement de la carte...

Sources & References

About the author :
NomOrigine Team
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 : 15 June 2025

Share the origin of your last name with your friends

Search the origin of a family name

Enter the surname you are looking for below:

Similar Last Names

Pora (Last name)

surnames > pora

The surname Pora is of Slavic origin, particularly associated with the region of present-day Poland and Ukraine. It is derived from a number of given names, such as Poros, Poroslaw...

Poran hossian (Last name)

surnames > poran-hossian

The last name Poran Hossain has origins in Bangladesh. "Poran" is a common given name in Bangladesh, while "Hossain" is a surname commonly used in Muslim-majority countries, includ...

Porancea (Last name)

surnames > porancea

The last name "Porancea" is of Romanian origin. It likely originates from the region of Romania and may have derived from a specific place name, occupation, or personal characteris...

Porazo (Last name)

surnames > porazo

The last name Porazo is of Spanish origin. It is derived from the word "porrazo," which means a blow or hit in Spanish. This surname may have originally been a nickname for someone...

Porcar (Last name)

surnames > porcar

The surname Porcar is of Spanish origin. It is derived from the word "porcar," which is a term used in Catalonia to refer to a person who is a swineherd or a pig farmer. The name m...

Porcaro (Last name)

surnames > porcaro

The surname Porcaro is of Italian origin, derived from the word "porco," which means pig in Italian. It was often used as an occupational surname for a pig herder or farmer. This n...

Porcher (Last name)

surnames > porcher

The last name "Porcher" has its origin in France. It is derived from the Old French word "porcier," which translates to "swineherd" or "pig-keeper." The name suggests that the orig...

Porcina (Last name)

surnames > porcina

The last name Porcina is of Italian origin. It likely derives from the Italian word "porcino" which means "piglet" or "little pig." This last name may have originally been a nickna...

Pordel (Last name)

surnames > pordel

The last name "Pordel" does not have a widely-known origin or meaning. It is a relatively rare surname and may be of local or regional origin. It could be a variation or alteration...

Pordeshe (Last name)

surnames > pordeshe

The last name "Pordeshe" appears to be of Indian origin. It may be derived from a location or clan name in India.

Pordhan (Last name)

surnames > pordhan

The last name "Pordhan" is of Indian origin. It is derived from the Hindi word "pandit" which means a learned person or a scholar. Members of the Pordhan family may have descended ...

Pored (Last name)

surnames > pored

The surname "Pored" is of Slavic origin. It is derived from the Slavic word for "small" or "tiny," and may have been used as a nickname for a person of small stature. This surname ...

Poreddiwar (Last name)

surnames > poreddiwar

The last name Poreddiwar originates from India. It is likely of Marathi or Kannada descent. The name may be derived from a geographical location, occupation, or clan affiliation.

Porelli (Last name)

surnames > porelli

The last name Porelli is of Italian origin. It is a variant of the surname Porcelli, which comes from the Italian word "porcella," meaning "young pig" or "piglet." This surname lik...

Porey (Last name)

surnames > porey

The last name "Porey" is of English origin, derived from the Old French word "porree," meaning leek. It is likely an occupational surname for someone who grew or sold leeks.