NomOrigine Background

Last Name Squillace

What is the origin of the last name Squillace?

The surname Squillace is of Italian origin. It is derived from a place name, specifically a town called Squillace in the province of Calabria, Italy. The name of this town is thought to come from the Latin word "scilla," meaning "sea squill" or "sea anemone." Over time, the surname has been spelled various ways, including Scillaci and Scialli, among others.

Learn more about the origin of the last name Squillace

The meaning and origin of the last name Squillace

The surname Squillace originates from Italy and is derived from the medieval occupation of a "squill worker" or "seller." Squill is a type of sea onion, also known as Scorzonera maritima, which was highly valued in the Middle Ages for its medicinal properties. The surname may have been given to someone who dealt with this commodity either as a farmer, trader, or apothecary. Over time, the name evolved from the Italian "Squillaci," meaning "those who deal with squills." The name Squillace is common in Southern Italy and can be found among both Sicilians and Neapolitans, reflecting the historical importance of the sea onion trade in the Mediterranean region.

Geographical distribution of the last name Squillace

The last name Squillace has its origins from Southern Italy, specifically from the region of Calabria, where it is most commonly found. It is also prevalent in other Italian regions such as Campania, Sicily, and Apulia, due to historical migration patterns. Over time, people with the surname Squillace have migrated to various parts of the world, particularly North America, South America, Australia, and Europe, often settling in areas with significant Italian-American communities. In the United States, for example, concentrations of the Squillace family can be found in cities like New York, Philadelphia, Boston, and San Francisco. Similarly, in Canada, Toronto and Montreal have substantial populations with this surname. The diaspora of the Squillace family reflects both historical Italian migration and subsequent globalization trends.

Variants and spellings of the last name Squillace

The surname Squillace has several variations and spellings, primarily due to differences in transcription and transliteration over time. Some common versions include Squillaci, Scully, Scullion, Skelly, and Schiavone. These variations arise from alterations in the spelling of the name during immigration or assimilation into different cultures. The Italian surname "Squillace" is derived from the Latin word "scorpio," meaning scorpion, and refers to a family originating from Squillace, a town in Calabria, Italy. Other Italian derivations include Scilla, which may also be associated with the sea creature, the octopus, as it shares a similar appearance to the scorpion. Additionally, there are variations such as Schiavoni and Sklavounis, which have Greek origins and share a similar etymology, meaning "slave." These variations serve as evidence of the diverse cultural backgrounds that make up the Squillace family lineage.

Famous people with the last name Squillace

Notable individuals sharing the surname Squillace include:

1. Vincent Squillace, an American professional wrestler and bodybuilder who is known by his ring name "The Italian Stallion" Vinny Vegas. He competed in the WWE and TNA.

2. Alessio Squillace, a renowned Italian techno DJ and record producer. He has released music on labels like Drumcode and Cocoon Recordings, and is recognized for his intricate and dark style of techno.

3. Frank A. Squillace Jr., a former American football coach who served as the head coach at Stony Brook University from 1976 to 1982. Under his leadership, the team won the NCAA Division III National Championship in 1982.

4. Nick Squillace, an American baseball player drafted by the Tampa Bay Rays in the 2015 Major League Baseball Draft. He played college baseball at Northeastern University and was named Colonial Athletic Association (CAA) Rookie of the Year in 2015.

These individuals have made significant contributions to their respective fields, ranging from sports and entertainment to academia.

Genealogical research on the last name Squillace

The Squillace surname is of Italian origin and is believed to have derived from the city of Squillace, located in Calabria, southern Italy. Historically, it was a Norman feudal barony and a bishopric from the 9th century. The name's etymology can be traced back to the Latin word "scilla," meaning "a kind of sea squill plant" or "gladiolus maritimus." Over time, it evolved into Squillace. The surname is prevalent in Italy, particularly in Calabria and Sicily. Notable individuals with the Squillace surname include Giuseppe Squillace, an Italian politician and lawyer; and Carmelo Squillace, a renowned Italian opera singer. In genealogical records, variants of this surname may include Sciallace, Schiallace, Sciallesi, or Scialla, reflecting the dialectical and phonetic variations common in Italian names.

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 : 28 July 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

Squared (Last name)

surnames > squared

The last name Squared is of English origin. It is believed to be derived from the Old English word "scire," meaning "to cut," and the suffix "-ed" which was used to indicate the so...

Squiba (Last name)

surnames > squiba

The last name Squiba originated from Italy. It is derived from the Italian word "squiba," which means a type of fish called the mackerel. This surname is likely to have originally ...

Squiban (Last name)

surnames > squiban

The surname Squibb or Squibban is believed to have origins in England. It is a locative surname, derived from places called Squib or Squibbs in various parts of the country. These ...

Squillario (Last name)

surnames > squillario

The surname Squillario is of Italian origin. It is derived from the word "squillare," which means to ring or peal like a bell. This surname may have originally been occupational, r...