Nappa History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
Italy

The Italian Nappa surname has several possible derivations. It may have come from the words "nappa gib," meaning "large nose," or perhaps from the Calabrian term "nappa," used to denote a "clay dish." In either case, the Nappa surname is thought to have evolved from a nickname. In general, Nappi would have been a plural form of the word, while Nappa, would have been more popular as a name in Southern Italy.

Early Origins of the Nappa family

The surname Nappa was first found in Ancona, an important seaport town and province in Eastern Italy, home to the 11th century Cathedral of Ancona. Ancona was part of the Holy Roman Empire in the 12th century, and then, in the 16th century, it came under papal protection. Four members of the Nappi family of Ancona took holy orders including Filippo Nappi, in 1567, Francesco Nappi, in 1583, another Francesco in 1587, and Cesare-Marcellino Nappi in 1654.

Early History of the Nappa family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Nappa research. Another 75 words (5 lines of text) covering the years 1550, 1573, 1621, 1638, 1656, 1659 and 1704 are included under the topic Early Nappa History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Nappa Spelling Variations

Spelling variations of this family name include: Nappi, Nappa, Nappo and others.

Early Notables of the Nappa family

Prominent among members of the family was the aforementioned Francesco Nappi, who was vice-envoy (vicelegato) of Bologna under Pope Paul "Paolo" V (1550-1621), and was made bishop of...
Another 27 words (2 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Nappa Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Nappa migration to the United States +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Nappa Settlers in United States in the 20th Century

Amillo Nappa, aged 34, who landed in America from S. Angela a Scala, in 1904
Giuseppe Nappa, aged 23, who immigrated to America from Pozzuoli, Italy, in 1907
Carmela Nappa, aged 4, who landed in America from Bellona, Italy, in 1909
Angela Nappa, aged 23, who immigrated to the United States from Lione, Italy, in 1910
Arcangelo Nappa, aged 53, who settled in America from S. Angelo, Italy, in 1910
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Contemporary Notables of the name Nappa (post 1700) +

Mike Nappa (b. 1963), American author of more than 50 books