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Last Name Puglisi

What is the origin of the last name Puglisi?

The surname Puglisi is of Italian origin. It derives from the region of Puglia, also known as Apulia, located in southern Italy. The name was often given to individuals who were born or lived in this region. Over time, it became a common last name for people of Italian descent worldwide.

Learn more about the origin of the last name Puglisi

The meaning and origin of the last name Puglisi

The surname Puglisi is an Italian patronymic name, originating from the southern region of Apulia (Puglia in modern Italian), hence the suffix "-isi" that denotes a person from that specific location. Over time, it became a common surname among Italians who migrated to other countries. The name Puglisi has its roots in the Norman conquest of Sicily in the 11th century when the Normans, led by Robert Guiscard, took control of southern Italy and introduced the feudal system. Nobles and their followers were often given lands in Apulia, which is where many bearing the name Puglisi have descended from. Throughout history, various branches of the Puglisi family have contributed to Italian culture and society.

Geographical distribution of the last name Puglisi

The last name Puglisi is predominantly Italian, originating from the region of Sicily, specifically the city of Palermo. Its meaning translates to "from Puglia," which is another region in southern Italy. However, over time, the surname has spread globally due to Italian immigration, particularly to countries such as the United States, Argentina, and Canada. In the U.S., New York State and cities like Newark, New Jersey, have a high concentration of individuals bearing the Puglisi name, reflecting historical patterns of Italian emigration. In Argentina, Buenos Aires province shows a significant presence of people with this surname, mirroring the influx of Italians during the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

Variants and spellings of the last name Puglisi

The surname Puglisi has multiple variations and spellings due to transliteration from Italian into various languages and phonetic interpretations over time. Here are some of the variations:

1. Pugliese - This is one of the most common variations, originating from a different spelling of the same Italian root word "Puglia" which means Apulia, a region in southern Italy.
2. Pugliazi - A less common variation that is phonetically similar to Pugliese but with a slightly different ending.
3. Puglisio - Another variation of the surname, possibly derived from an alternative pronunciation or spelling in some regions.
4. Puglysa - An anglicized version of the name, which may have arisen when Italian immigrants came to English-speaking countries and had their names adapted to fit local phonetic conventions.
5. Puglisi (Poo-glee-see) - This is the most common English spelling of the name, as it directly transliterates from Italian to English using standard orthographic rules. It can also be pronounced as Pu-lees-ee in some regions or families with specific pronunciation preferences.
6. Pugliise, Puglyssi - These may be less common alternative spellings that have arisen over time due to variations in transcription and record keeping.
7. De Puglisi (De Pooh-glee-see) or Da Puglisi (Da Pooh-glee-see) - Some families of Italian origin use the prepositions "de" or "da" before their surnames, which may have been adopted to indicate lineage, social status, or geographical origin. These variations can also be found in English records.
8. Pugliesi - This is a plural form of the name, although it is less common and not widely used among English-speaking populations.

Famous people with the last name Puglisi

Notable individuals with the surname Puglisi include:

1. Salvatore Pugliese (1920-1943), an Italian resistance fighter against fascism during World War II, posthumously awarded the Gold Medal for Military Valor.

2. Frank Pugliese (born 1957), an American professional photographer and educator known for his large-format color images exploring themes of identity and culture.

3. Anthony John Pugliese (born 1960), a Canadian musician, singer, and songwriter who is the lead vocalist and rhythm guitarist for the band Lighthouse.

4. Joseph Pugliese (born 1957), an Australian filmmaker and professor in media arts and communication at the University of Technology Sydney.

5. Giuseppe Puglisi (1937-1993), an Italian Roman Catholic priest assassinated for his anti-mafia activism in Palermo, Italy. He was beatified by Pope John Paul II in 2002.

6. Rocco Pugliese (born 1954), a Canadian politician who served as the Member of Parliament for Etobicoke Lakeshore from 1988 to 1993.

Genealogical research on the last name Puglisi

The surname Puglisi is of Italian origin, specifically from the region of Sicily. It derives from the place-name Puglia, an administrative region in southern Italy. Historically, the Puglisi family can be traced back to the Norman conquest of Sicily in the 11th century, where they were landowners and feudal lords. The name spread throughout Sicily and later to other Italian regions as well as countries like Malta and the United States, particularly during mass migrations in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Notable individuals with the Puglisi surname include several politicians and artists from Italy and the U.S. Genealogical research for individuals with this surname can be found in various records including birth, marriage, and death certificates, census data, immigration records, and historical documents relating to Sicily and Italian-American communities.

Last name distribution maps

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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 : 28 July 2025

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