Show ContentsMarzani Surname History

The distinguished surname Marzani 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 Marzani was derived from the name Marco which is in turn derived from the Latin name Marcus.

Early Origins of the Marzani family

The surname Marzani was first found in the region of Calabria, with Guglielmo di Marzano in 1180, a prominent figure in the town of Marzano.

Early History of the Marzani family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Marzani research. Another 76 words (5 lines of text) covering the years 1313, 1450 and 1812 are included under the topic Early Marzani History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Marzani Spelling Variations

Spelling variations of this family name include: Marciano, Marciani, Marcian, Marzano, Marchiano, Marchiani, Marziano, Marziani and many more.

Early Notables of the Marzani family

Prominent among bearers of this surname in early times was

  • Giovan-Domenico Marzani, a lawyer in Trentino during the early 16th century

Migration of the Marzani family

Some of the first settlers of this family name or some of its variants were: Achille Marciano, aged 50, arrived at Ellis Island in 1896; Agostino Marciano, aged 24, arrived at Ellis Island in 1896; Alfonzo Marciano, aged 46, arrived at Ellis Island from Striano in 1899.


Contemporary Notables of the name Marzani (post 1700) +

  • Carl Aldo Marzani (1912-1994), American (Italian born) left wing political activist and publisher


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