The surname "Vicario" is of Latin origin, derived from the ecclesiastical term "vicarius," meaning deputy or substitute. This surname was often given to individuals who served as deputies for church officials, particularly in the Middle Ages when the Roman Catholic Church had a significant influence on society in many European countries. Over time, the name spread and became a common last name among different populations. In Portugal, for example, it is one of the most frequent surnames due to its association with the Knights Templar and the colonization of Brazil during the 16th century.
Learn more about the origin of the last name Vicario
The meaning and origin of the last name Vicario
The surname Vicario is of Italian and Spanish origin, derived from the ecclesiastical term "vicarius," which means deputy or representative. In the Middle Ages, this title was given to clergy members who were responsible for managing churches or dioceses in the absence of the bishop. Over time, the term evolved into a surname, and it became common among individuals who worked as church officials or had connections with the Catholic Church. Today, Vicario is a widely distributed surname, particularly in Italy, Spain, Portugal, and Latin America. In Italy, it is most prevalent in regions such as Tuscany, Lombardy, and Emilia-Romagna, while in Spain, it is more common in the Basque Country, Catalonia, and Galicia.
Geographical distribution of the last name Vicario
The surname Vicario is primarily found in Portugal, Spain, and Italy, with significant concentrations in these countries. In Portugal, it ranks among the top 300 most common surnames. In Spain, it's more frequent in regions such as Galicia, Castilla y León, Valencia, and Catalonia. In Italy, it's particularly prevalent in southern regions like Calabria, Campania, and Sicily. The name also has presence in other countries with significant Portuguese or Spanish migrant populations, such as Brazil, Argentina, and the United States. Its origins can be traced back to Latin and means "vicar" or "substitute".
Variants and spellings of the last name Vicario
The surname Vicario possesses multiple variants and spellings due to differences in regional pronunciation and historical transcription practices. Some common variations include: Vicary, Vichary, Vicheri, Vicarie, Vicarrey, Vicaria, Vicarias, Vicariou, Vicarious, Vicariae, and Vicarian. These variations may stem from slight phonetic changes or linguistic adaptations during migration and settlement of families bearing this name in various parts of the world. It is essential to note that these differences do not indicate distinct lineages but rather represent different transcriptions of the same root origin.
Famous people with the last name Vicario
Notable individuals with the surname Vicario include:
1. Roberto Vicario (born 1942), an Italian film and television actor, known for his roles in films such as "The Godfather" and "A Man Called Blonde."
2. Giulio Vicario (born 1960), an Italian composer and conductor, who has collaborated with various opera houses and symphony orchestras worldwide.
3. Antonio Vicario (born 1976), a Chilean football coach, who was the manager of the Chile national team during their successful run at the 2015 Copa América tournament.
4. Francesco Vicario (born 1983), an Italian theoretical physicist and professor at the University of Pisa, known for his work in string theory and AdS/CFT correspondence.
These individuals have made significant contributions to various fields such as acting, music, sports, and academia. Their accomplishments serve as a testament to the diverse talents that bear the Vicario surname.
Genealogical research on the last name Vicario
The surname Vicario is of Spanish origin, derived from the Latin word "vicarius," meaning substitute or deputy. It was initially used as a professional title for officials appointed by the Roman Catholic Church to manage the spiritual affairs of a diocese in the absence of the bishop. Over time, it became a hereditary surname among Spanish and Portuguese families.
Notable bearers of this name include several Catholic clergy members such as Juan Vicario y Ponce de León, a 16th-century bishop of Chiapas, Mexico, and João Vicente de Oliveira Vicário, who served as the Archbishop of Goa in the 18th century. In contemporary times, José Vicente de Castro Vicario is a renowned Portuguese jurist and former judge at the European Court of Human Rights.
The Vicario family also made significant contributions to various fields such as arts and sciences during the Spanish Golden Age, with figures like Bartolomé Vicario, a poet and dramatist, and Diego Vicario y Soto, an astronomer who authored several works on celestial navigation.
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 :
Share the origin of your last name with your friends
The surname "Vic" is derived from various origins. It can have several possible meanings and origins depending on the region.
1. In some cases, it could be a shortened version of ...
The surname Vicari (or Vincari, Vizcarrón, etc.) has Latin origins and is derived from the word "vicarius," which means deputy or substitute in Latin. This name was often given to...
The surname "Vicarini" is of Italian origin. It is derived from the word "vicario," which means "vicar" in Italian. This suggests that the original bearer of the surname may have b...
The last name "Vicci" is of Italian origin. It is derived from the given name "Vicenzo," which is the Italian form of the name "Vincent." The name "Vincent" ultimately comes from t...
The surname Vicedo is of Spanish origin and is derived from the Old Castilian word "vizcaíno," which means Basque or related to the Basque region in northern Spain. The name could...
The last name "Viceman" is of English origin. It is derived from the medieval personal name "Viceman," which is of Old French origin. It is believed to have been introduced to Engl...
The last name Vicencio is of Spanish origin. It is derived from the personal name Vicente, which is the Spanish form of the name Vincent. Vincent is ultimately derived from the Lat...
The last name "Vicens" originates from Catalonia, Spain. It is a patronymic surname derived from the given name Vicenç, which is the Catalan form of the name Vincent.
The last name "Vicente" has Spanish and Portuguese origins. It is derived from the given name Vicente, which is the Spanish and Portuguese form of the Latin name Vincentius, meanin...
The surname "Vicente Nworld" appears to have Spanish and possibly Filipino origins. "Vicente" is a common Spanish surname that is of Latin origin, meaning "victorious" or "conqueri...
The surname "Vicente de Leon" is of Spanish origin. It is derived from the given name "Vicente," which means "conqueror" or "winner," and the word "de Leon," which means "of the li...
The last name Vicentin is of Italian origin, specifically from the Veneto region in northern Italy. It is derived from the personal name Vicente, which comes from the Latin name Vi...
The last name Viceroy is of English origin and is used to describe a colonial administrator in British-ruled India. It is derived from the combination of the Latin word "vice" mean...
The last name Vicherat is of French origin. It is derived from the personal name Vichery, which was a variant of the old French name Vicher. This surname may have originally been a...
