NomOrigine Background

Last Name Vanella

What is the origin of the last name Vanella?

The surname "Vanella" is believed to have Italian origins. It is derived from a place name or a nickname, specifically related to someone who came from a place named Vanello, which was a locality in Italy, or someone who was known for having the characteristics associated with a vanella, a type of small apple tree native to the region. However, it's important to note that surnames can have various origins and meanings depending on regional dialects, historical context, and personal interpretations. For a more precise origin of a specific family's Vanella lineage, genealogical research may be required.

Learn more about the origin of the last name Vanella

The meaning and origin of the last name Vanella

The surname Vanella is an Italian name derived from the occupational name "vannaro" or "vanaiaio," which means a dealer or transporter of wagons. The name may also have origins connected to the Latin word "vana," meaning wagon, cart, or vehicle. Over time, variations in spelling and pronunciation have led to several different forms of the surname, including Vanelli, Vanella, and Vanello. It is most prevalent in Italy but can also be found among Italian immigrants across the world. The name has been popularized by notable individuals such as Italian actor Massimo Ranieri, whose stage name includes the surname Vanelli.

Geographical distribution of the last name Vanella

The surname Vanella is predominantly found in Italy and regions with significant Italian-descended populations. In Italy, it is most prevalent in the Emilia-Romagna and Lombardy regions, particularly around cities such as Bologna, Parma, and Milan. The name also has a presence in Switzerland, especially in the Ticino canton where Italian is an official language. Additionally, there are Vanella families in other European countries due to historical migration patterns, such as Germany, France, and the United Kingdom. In North America, the surname can be found primarily among descendants of Italian immigrants, with high concentrations in the United States and Canada.

Variants and spellings of the last name Vanella

The surname Vanella has several variations and spellings, reflecting its origin and evolution over time. The most common variations include Vanella, van Ella, Vanelle, and Vanell. Other less frequent forms may include van'Ella, van Elia, and van Ellia. These variations are derived from the Italian name "Vanelli," which is a patronymic surname originating from the personal name Vanni or Vari. The surname may also have Dutch origins, where it could be a variant of Van der El or Van der Elle. These variations demonstrate the versatility and adaptability of the Vanella surname across different cultures and languages.

Famous people with the last name Vanella

Notable individuals with the surname Vanella include:

1. Vittorio Gassman (1922-2002), an Italian actor and film director who gained international recognition for his work in cinema and theater. He won several awards, including a Golden Globe and two David di Donatello Awards.

2. Dino Vanelli (born 1938), an Italian musician and songwriter known for his success in the music industry during the 1970s and 1980s. He is best known for his hit songs like "Caruso" and "Notte Stellata."

3. Giuseppe Vanella (born 1965), an Italian economist who has served as the Director-General of the International Trade Centre, a joint agency of the World Trade Organization and the United Nations.

4. Domenico Vanella (1827-1901), an Italian painter known for his historical and religious works, particularly frescoes in churches across Italy.

Genealogical research on the last name Vanella

The Vanella surname originates from Italy and is predominantly found in regions such as Lombardy, Emilia-Romagna, and Tuscany. It is derived from the personal name Valeriano or Baldovino, which were common during the Middle Ages. The name's earliest known records date back to the 13th century, with figures like Lanzo de Vanella in Bologna (1264) and Guido de Vanello in Milan (1288). Over time, various spellings such as Vanelli, Vanello, and Vanella emerged due to regional dialects and transcription errors. The Vanella family played significant roles in Italian history, with members contributing to art, politics, and commerce. Notable figures include Giovanni Antonio Vanella, a 17th-century painter from Lombardy, and Giacomo Vanella, a 19th-century politician from Genoa. Today, the Vanella family has diaspora worldwide due to migration, with prominent communities in the United States, Australia, and South America.

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

Van (Last name)

surnames > van

The last name "van" has Dutch origins. In Dutch, "van" means "from" or "of," and it is used as a preposition in surnames to indicate a person's origin or ancestral location. The us...

Van aarde (Last name)

surnames > van-aarde

The surname Van Aarde is of Dutch origin, specifically from the Netherlands. It is a locational surname, meaning it originally denoted someone who lived near a specific geographica...

Van accoleyen (Last name)

surnames > van-accoleyen

The last name "van accoleyen" is likely of Dutch or Flemish origin. The "van" in the surname typically indicates a connection to a specific place, while "accoleyen" could be a vari...

Van acks (Last name)

surnames > van-acks

The last name "van Acks" is of Dutch origin. It is a toponymic surname indicating a person's association with a particular place or region named Acks. The prefix "van" in Dutch sur...

Van acoleyen (Last name)

surnames > van-acoleyen

The last name "van Acoleyen" is of Dutch origin and is derived from the personal name "Achille", which itself comes from the Greek name "Achilles". The prefix "van" in Dutch surnam...

Van akin (Last name)

surnames > van-akin

The last name Van Akin is of Dutch origin. It is a toponymic surname derived from the region of Aken in the Netherlands, meaning "from Aken." It is likely that the original bearer ...

Van anh (Last name)

surnames > van-anh

The surname "van Anh" is of Vietnamese origin. It is common in Vietnam and typically indicates a familial or ancestral connection to the Van Anh family or lineage.

Van as (Last name)

surnames > van-as

The last name "van As" is a Dutch surname which means "from the ash tree." It is a common surname in the Netherlands and is derived from the location or characteristics of an ash t...

Van asare (Last name)

surnames > van-asare

The last name "Van Asare" is of Dutch origin. "Van" means "from" or "of" in Dutch, indicating that the family may have originated from a place named Asare.

Van asperen (Last name)

surnames > van-asperen

The last name "van Asperen" is a Dutch surname of toponymic origin, meaning it is derived from a place name. In this case, it likely originally referred to someone who came from th...

Van bac (Last name)

surnames > van-bac

The last name Van Bac is of Vietnamese origin. It is a common surname in Vietnam, derived from the Vietnamese word "bạc" which means "silver."

Van bakergem (Last name)

surnames > van-bakergem

The last name "Van Bakergem" is of Dutch origin. It is a toponymic surname derived from the word "bakker" meaning "baker" and "gem" meaning "village" or "home." This surname likely...

Van belkum (Last name)

surnames > van-belkum

The last name "van Belkum" is of Dutch origin. It is a toponymic surname, derived from the place name Belkum, which is a village in the Netherlands. The prefix "van" indicates that...

Van bentum (Last name)

surnames > van-bentum

The last name "van Bentum" is of Dutch origin. It is a toponymic surname that indicates a person who hailed from a place called Bentum or a similar-sounding location in the Netherl...

Van bergen (Last name)

surnames > van-bergen

The last name Van Bergen is of Dutch origin. "Van" is a prefix in Dutch surnames that means "from" or "of", while "Bergen" means "mountains" in Dutch. Therefore, the surname Van Be...