The surname Zigliani is of Italian origin. It is derived from a place name, likely from one of several locations named "Zugliano" in Italy. These places are found in the provinces of Vicenza and Padova in the Veneto region, as well as in other parts of Italy. The surname may have been originally occupied by someone who lived near or originated from these places.
Learn more about the origin of the last name Zigliani
The meaning and origin of the last name Zigliani
The surname Zigliani is an Italian patronymic name derived from the personal name Ziglio, which was a diminutive form of the medieval given name Gisulfo or Gisaldo. This Old High German name was composed of the elements "gisil," meaning "hostage" or "pledge," and "hari," meaning "army." The name was brought to Italy by the Lombards, a Germanic people who settled in the region during the early Middle Ages. Over time, the name evolved into various regional forms such as Zigliani, which is most common in the provinces of Sassari and Nuoro in the island of Sardinia.
Geographical distribution of the last name Zigliani
The last name Zigliani is primarily distributed in Italy, particularly in the regions of Tuscany and Umbria. It is most concentrated in the province of Siena, where it is believed to originate from the town of Radicofani. The surname also has a significant presence in the provinces of Grosseto, Perugia, and Florence. Outside Italy, there are small communities of Ziglianis in Argentina, Brazil, Switzerland, and the United States, primarily as a result of Italian immigration during the 19th and early 20th centuries.
Variants and spellings of the last name Zigliani
The surname Zigliani has several variants and spellings due to differences in transcription over time and across regions. Some common variants include Zigliany, Zigliane, Ziglian, and Zigliani-Forti. These variations may arise from slight changes during migration or in the process of official documentation. Other related names include Zigliano, which may be a variant indicating a place of origin, and Zigliara, a toponymic surname derived from the name of a village in Italy. The surname Zigliani is most commonly found among Italian-speaking populations, particularly those of Lombardy or Tuscany regions.
Famous people with the last name Zigliani
The Zigliani family has produced notable individuals in various fields. One of the most recognized is motivational speaker and author Dr. Norman Vincent Zigliani, better known as Zig Ziglar (1926-2012). Ziglar was renowned for his inspirational books like "See You at the Top" and "Born to Win," which have sold millions of copies worldwide. In the world of sports, Fabio Zigliani (born 1958) is an Italian former football player who played as a defender in clubs such as AS Roma, Parma, and Juventus. He represented the Italy national team in the 1982 FIFA World Cup. Lastly, in music, Andrea Zigliani (born 1973), known by his stage name Maxpezzali, is an Italian singer-songwriter who has achieved significant success in Italy with hits like "Il mondo perduto" and "Bastardo."
Genealogical research on the last name Zigliani
The Zigliani surname is predominantly of Italian origin, specifically from the region of Piedmont. Historically, it is believed to have derived from various locations such as Zegna, a small village in the province of Biella, or Zeglio, located in the province of Novara. The name may also be related to occupations like "zecca," referring to a mint or coin maker.
During the Middle Ages, many Italians adopted surnames as a means of identification, often derived from their place of origin, occupation, or physical characteristics. The Zigliani family is documented in various records since the 16th century, with some branches migrating to other parts of Europe and the Americas.
Notable individuals with the surname Zigliani include Italian politician Emanuele Zigliani and Argentine boxer José Luis Zigliani. The global distribution of this surname reflects migration patterns over centuries, particularly from Italy to Argentina, Switzerland, France, and the United States.
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.
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