Last Name Zaramella

The surname Zaramella is of Italian origin and is believed to have roots in several regions across Italy, including Lombardy, Emilia-Romagna, and Tuscany. It is derived from various sources such as a place name or occupational name. One possible origin is that it could be a habitational name from places called Zaramella, which exist in the provinces of Pavia and Modena in Italy. Another possibility is that it may be an occupational name for a "miller," derived from the Italian word "mulino" (mill) combined with the diminutive suffix "-ella." However, these are just theories, and a definitive origin has not been conclusively established.

Learn more about the origin of the last name Zaramella

The meaning and origin of the last name Zaramella

The surname Zaramella is an Italian-originated name, with roots traced back to regions such as Emilia-Romagna and Lombardy. Its etymology can be linked to several possibilities. One theory suggests that it derives from the medieval Germanic personal name "Sarah" or "Zara," meaning "princess" or "noblewoman," combined with the Italian suffix "-mella," which often denotes a geographical location, thus implying "from the place of Zara." Another assumption associates the name with the Middle High German word "zar," meaning "king" or "emperor," and again, the Italian suffix "-mella," indicating origin. However, these are hypotheses, as the exact origin remains uncertain due to insufficient historical records.

Geographical distribution of the last name Zaramella

The surname Zaramella is primarily found in Italy, with the majority of its occurrences located in the regions of Lombardy and Emilia-Romagna. In these regions, it is concentrated around the cities of Bologna, Milan, and Piacenza. The name also has a presence in other Italian regions such as Veneto, Toscana, and Lazio, but at significantly lower frequencies compared to Lombardy and Emilia-Romagna. Outside of Italy, Zaramella is relatively rare and has been recorded in countries with Italian immigrant populations, such as the United States, Canada, Australia, and Argentina. However, it is not evenly distributed globally like some other common surnames.

Variants and spellings of the last name Zaramella

The surname Zaramella has several variations and spellings due to phonetic changes, transliteration, and regional differences. Some common spelling variants include Zaramella, Saramella, and Sarmenta. These variations may arise from slight mispronunciations or errors during the transcription process over time. In some cases, the surname might also be spelled as Sarmentola, Sarmentolla, or Sarmentolli, which are Italian dialectical variants of Sarmenta. Another variation is Zarmenta, a possible phonetic change from Zaramella or Sarmenta. These variations highlight the diversity and adaptability of surnames over generations and regions.

Famous people with the last name Zaramella

Notable individuals with the surname Zaramella include:

1. Giuseppe Zaramella (born 1942), an Italian politician who served as a member of the Chamber of Deputies from 1983 to 1994 and again from 2001 to 2006. He was also the Mayor of Brescia, Italy, from 1985 to 1990.

2. Domenico Zaramella (born 1957), an Italian football manager who has managed several teams in the Serie A and Serie B. He is best known for his tenure as manager of AS Roma from 1993 to 1996, during which he led the team to the Coppa Italia title in 1994.

3. Maria Grazia Zaramella (born 1973), an Italian scientist and engineer specializing in the field of biomedical engineering. She is a researcher at the University of Pisa and has made significant contributions to the development of micro-electromechanical systems for biosensing applications.

These individuals have made notable contributions to politics, sports, and science, respectively.

Genealogical research on the last name Zaramella

The Zaramella surname is of Italian origin and is primarily found in regions such as Lombardy and Emilia-Romagna. Historically, it's believed to be derived from various places named Zara or Zaramola in these regions. One of the earliest records of the name dates back to the 13th century in the town of Lodi, Lombardy. Over the centuries, the name has been recorded under several spelling variations including Zaramelea, Zaramella, Zaramola, and Zarameo. Notable individuals with this surname include Matteo Zaramella, an Italian architect from the 16th century, and Marco Zaramella, a modern-day Italian scientist specializing in nanotechnology. Genealogical research suggests that the name's frequency peaked in Italy during the late 19th and early 20th centuries before significant emigration to other countries, particularly the United States and Canada.

Last name distribution maps

Sources & References

• INSEE statistics on the surname "zaramella"
• 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 : 29 July 2025

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