Morelli History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
Italy

The origins of the Morelli name are uncertain, but most scholars seems to agree that the name likely comes from the Latin term "maurus," used to describe either a Moor, or anyone of a markedly dark complexion. There have also been place names such as Morella, a town in the Spanish province of Casteldon de la Plana, and Morelli, Calabria, and the Morelli surname may have been taken on from the name of the place whence its original bearer hailed. This name can be found in forms with the typical Italian surname endings of "i" and "o," the former being characteristic of northern Italy, the latter, more typical in the South.

Early Origins of the Morelli family

The surname Morelli was first found in Florence (Italian: Firenze), where a family of this name has resided since the 14th century.

Early History of the Morelli family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Morelli research. Another 71 words (5 lines of text) covering the years 1571, 1608, 1690, 1745, 1747, 1778 and 1819 are included under the topic Early Morelli History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Morelli Spelling Variations

In comparison with other European surnames, Italian surnames have a surprising number of forms. They reflect the regional variations and the many dialects of the Italian language, each with its own distinctive features. For example, in Northern Italy the typical Italian surname suffix is "i", whereas in Southern Italy it is "o". Additionally, spelling changes frequently occurred because medieval scribes and church officials often spelled names as they sounded rather than according to any specific spelling rules. The spelling variations in the name Morelli include Morelli, Morèlli, Morello, Morèllo, Morella and many more.

Early Notables of the Morelli family

Prominent among members of the family was

Lazzaro Morelli (1608-1690), an Italian sculptor of the Baroque period
James Morelli (1745-1819), an Italian librarian who in 1778 became keeper of the great library of St Mark in Venice, and uncovered some of the works of Dion Cassius, Roman historian

Morelli Ranking

In the United States, the name Morelli is the 7,385^th most popular surname with an estimated 4,974 people with that name. 1 However, in France, the name Morelli is ranked the 3,945^th most popular surname with an estimated 1,500 - 2,000 people with that name. 2

Morelli migration to the United States +

Discovered in the immigration and passenger lists were a number of people bearing the name Morelli:

Morelli Settlers in United States in the 19th Century

P Morelli, aged 24, who landed in New Orleans, La in 1836 3
Angelo Morelli, aged 25, who settled in America, in 1892
Alessandro Morelli, aged 61, who immigrated to the United States from Alifi, Italy, in 1893

Morelli Settlers in United States in the 20th Century

Alberino Morelli, aged 19, who settled in America from Salerno, Italy, in 1912
Adelina Morelli, aged 18, who landed in America from S. Guilano, Italy, in 1912
Adolfo Morelli, aged 27, who immigrated to the United States from Fondagno, Italy, in 1913
Agostino Morelli, aged 29, who landed in America from Cartana, Italy, in 1914
Alessandra Morelli, aged 39, who landed in America from Minturno, Italy, in 1920

Contemporary Notables of the name Morelli (post 1700) +

Jack Morelli (b. 1962), American comic book letterer and author
Anthony Michael Morelli (b. 1985), American football quarterback
Giampaolo Morelli (b. 1974), Italian actor, director, and screenwriter
Lazzaro Morelli (1608-1690), Italian sculptor of the Baroque period
Cosimo Morelli (1732-1812), Italian architect
Ambrogio Morelli (1905-2000), Italian professional road bicycle racer
Rina Morelli (1908-1976), Italian film actress
Domenico Morelli (1823-1901), Italian painter, one of the most important Neapolitan artists of the 19th century
Giovanni Morelli (1816-1891), Italian art critic
Mauro Morelli (1935-2023), Brazilian Roman Catholic prelate
... (Another 6 notables are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Historic Events for the Morelli family +

Empress of Ireland

Mr. Paolo Morelli (1885-1914), Italian Third Class Passenger from Turin, Italy who survived the sinking on the Empress of Ireland 4

Citations +

"What are the 5,000 Most Common Last Names in the U.S.?". NameCensus.com, https://namecensus.com/last-names/
http://www.journaldesfemmes.com/nom-de-famille/nom/
Filby, P. William, Meyer, Mary K., Passenger and immigration lists index : a guide to published arrival records of about 500,000 passengers who came to the United States and Canada in the seventeenth, eighteenth, and nineteenth centuries. 1982-1985 Cumulated Supplements in Four Volumes Detroit, Mich. : Gale Research Co., 1985, Print (ISBN 0-8103-1795-8)
Commemoration Empress of Ireland 2014. (Retrieved 2014, June 17) . Retrieved from http://www.empress2014.ca/seclangen/listepsc1.html