Gaglia History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
Italy

The name Gaglia, like many surnames is derived from a personal name that was in use before surnames began to be used. The original personal name, Gagliardo, was composed of the Germanic elements "gail," meaning "joyous" and "hard" meaning "brave."

Early Origins of the Gaglia family

The surname Gaglia was first found in Naples, (Italian: Napoli, Latin: Neapolis.) Former capital of the Kingdom of the Two Sicilies in southern Italy, it is now the chief city of the province of Naples. It shares with Istanbul the claim to be the most beautiful city in Europe. Naples has 237 Churches and 57 Chapels. The National Museum and other galleries contain riches in art and artifacts. In those ancient times only persons of rank, the podesta, clergy, city officials, army officers, artists, landowners were entered into the records. To be recorded at this time, at the beginning of recorded history, was of itself a great distinction and indicative of noble ancestry.

Early History of the Gaglia family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Gaglia research. Another 95 words (7 lines of text) covering the years 1582, 1643, 1695, 1700, 1710, 1725, 1736, 1740, 1750 and 1781 are included under the topic Early Gaglia History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Gaglia Spelling Variations

Spelling variations of this family name include: Gagliani, Gagliano, Gagglianno, Gaggliani and many more.

Early Notables of the Gaglia family

By the end of the 15th century, southern Italy was known as the Kingdom of Naples, ruled by the house of Aragon. By the early eighteenth century, the Austrians had gained much of the region, under the rule of the Austrian emperor Kales VI. However, in 1734, Spaniard Don Carlos defeated the Austrians, and the region came under Spanish rule once more. In 1799, the French invaded Naples and in 1806, Napoleon's brother Joseph was made king, but this hold on Italy was not to last. In 1813 the Congress Of Vienna restored pre-Napoleonic rule. Among prominent bearers of this surname in early times were:

Marco da Gagliano (1582-1643) Italian composer; and Tiberio Gagliano, a famous surgeon
Gagliano, was a celebrated family of violin-makers at Naples. Alessandro, the first, worked from about 1695 to 1725. His work, like that of his sons, is good and substantial, but it exhibits the same...

Migration of the Gaglia family

Some of the first settlers of this family name or some of its variants were: Filomeno Gaglio, 42, who came to New York in 1882; A. Gaglione, aged 39, who arrived at Ellis Island from Italy, in 1893; Agostino Gaglione, aged 20, who arrived at Ellis Island from Palermo Termini, Italy, in 1911.

Contemporary Notables of the name Gaglia (post 1700) +

Rich Gaglia, American singer/songwriter