Alfonsi History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
Italy

The distinguished surname Alfonsi can be traced back to the ancient and beautiful region of Sicily, which is located off Southwestern Italy and incorporates the island of Sicily itself, the area of Naples, and the southern part of the Italian peninsula. Although people were originally known only by a single name, it became necessary for people to adopt a second name to identify themselves as populations grew and travel became more frequent. The process of adopting fixed hereditary surnames was not complete until the modern era, but the use of hereditary family names in Italy began in the 10th and 11th centuries. Italian hereditary surnames were developed according to fairly general principles and they were characterized by a profusion of derivatives coined from given names. The most common type of family name found in the region of Sicily is the patronymic surname, which is derived from the father's given name. During the Middle Ages, Italians adopted the patronymic system of name-making because it perfectly complemented the prevailing Feudal System. In Italy the popularity of patronymic type of surname is also due to the fact that during the Christian era, people often named their children after saints and biblical figures. The surname Alfonsi was derived from the personal name "Alfonso."

Alfonsi Spelling Variations

Spelling variations of this family name include: DiFonzo, DiFonso and others.

Alfonsi Ranking

In France, the name Alfonsi is the 5,662^nd most popular surname with an estimated 1,000 - 1,500 people with that name. 1

Alfonsi migration to the United States +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Alfonsi Settlers in United States in the 20th Century

Antonio Alfonsi, aged 16, who settled in America from Icciono, Italy, in 1907
Astolfo Alfonsi, aged 36, who landed in America from Lucca, Italy, in 1909
Arcangelo Alfonsi, aged 19, who immigrated to the United States from Capisfrello, Italy, in 1910
Cesidio Alfonsi, aged 33, who landed in America from Copistrello, Italy, in 1910
Emrico Alfonsi, aged 15, who settled in America from Massarosa, Italy, in 1911
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Contemporary Notables of the name Alfonsi (post 1700) +

Paul Alfonsi (1908-1989), American politician, Speaker of the Wisconsin State Assembly
Sharyn Alfonsi (b. 1972), American on-air correspondent and journalist who appears on ABC News
Lydia Alfonsi (1928-2022), born Lidia Alfonsi, an Italian actress, born in Parma, appointed Grand Officer of the Italian Republic
Nicolas Alfonsi (1936-2020), French politician, member of the Senate of France
François Alfonsi (b. 1953), French politician, Member of the European Parliament

Citations +

http://www.journaldesfemmes.com/nom-de-famille/nom/