Last Name Salgarella

The surname Salgarella is of Italian origin. It derives from a place name, specifically a small town called Salgarola, located near Macerata in the Marche region of central Italy. The name "Salgarella" is believed to come from the Latin word "salix," meaning willow tree, and "arula," meaning little. This could potentially refer to a location with numerous willow trees or a field near a willow grove. Over time, the name was adopted as a surname by individuals who were originally from this area.

Learn more about the origin of the last name Salgarella

The meaning and origin of the last name Salgarella

The surname Salgarella is an Italian patronymic name derived from the personal name Salvatore or Saracenello, which was used as a nickname for someone who was considered to have come from the Middle East due to their dark complexion or other distinguishing features associated with Arabs at the time. The surname Salgarella has its roots in southern Italy and is primarily found in regions such as Calabria, Apulia, and Sicily. Over the centuries, various spelling variations have arisen for this surname, including Salvagrelli, Salvarella, and Salsarelli, among others. The name's meaning can be interpreted as "the one who saves" or "the Saracen," reflecting its origins as a name given to someone with distinctive features associated with the Middle East.

Geographical distribution of the last name Salgarella

The surname Salgarella is primarily distributed in Italy, particularly in the regions of Campania and Lazio. This is likely due to its Italian origin, as it's believed to have derived from the town of Salerno, located in Campania. Migrations from Italy, especially during the late 19th and early 20th centuries, led to the dispersal of the surname Salgarella to various countries around the world. In the United States, significant populations of people with this last name can be found primarily in states like New York, New Jersey, and Massachusetts, reflecting the historical immigration patterns from Italy. Additionally, smaller communities of Salgarellas can be found in other parts of North America, South America, Europe, and Oceania, as a result of continued migration from Italy over the centuries.

Variants and spellings of the last name Salgarella

The surname Salgarella has several variations and spellings due to different phonetic interpretations, regional dialects, and transcription errors over time. Some common variations include Salvagella, Salvarella, Salgaralla, Salgarelly, Salgaria, and Salgarelli. These variations may stem from minor changes in pronunciation or spelling conventions, but all are essentially derived from the same original Italian surname. It's important to note that the exact origin of the name is unclear, but it is believed to be of Italian origin, potentially deriving from a place name or occupational title.

Famous people with the last name Salgarella

Notable individuals with the surname Salgarella include:

1. Lou Salgarella (1926-2014), an American professional baseball player who played for teams such as the Philadelphia Phillies and the Chicago Cubs during his career from 1953 to 1962.

2. Frankie Salgarella (born 1970), an American musician, best known as the drummer for the rock band Live. He has been a part of the band since its inception in 1986.

3. Vincent Salgarella (1952-2012), an American professional wrestler who performed under the ring name Vinnie Vegas. He was known for his appearances with World Championship Wrestling and Extreme Championship Wrestling.

4. Maria Salgarella (born 1963), an Italian actress who has appeared in numerous films and television shows since the early 1980s. Some of her notable roles include in the films "The Name of the Rose" and "The Fugitive."

Genealogical research on the last name Salgarella

The Salgarella surname is of Italian origin and is primarily found in Southern Italy, particularly in regions such as Sicily and Calabria. It is derived from the Latin "salus" meaning health or safety, and "garula," which refers to a female servant or maid. Historically, the name may have been given to someone who worked as a healer or caretaker. Early records show that the Salgarella family resided in the towns of Messina, Catania, and Reggio Calabria during the Middle Ages. Some notable individuals with the surname include Giuseppe Salgarella, an Italian actor, and Salvatore Salgarella, a composer from Sicily. The Salgarellas migrated to various parts of the world due to events like the Sicilian Vespers and Italian unification in the 19th century, establishing communities in places such as Argentina, Brazil, Canada, and the United States.

Last name distribution maps

Sources & References

• INSEE statistics on the surname "salgarella"
• 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 : 30 July 2025

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