Show ContentsNovel History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The distinguished surname Novel can be traced back to the ancient and beautiful region of Venice. 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 surname Novel came from the personal name Novello. The Italian word "novello" is derived from the Latin "novellus," which means "new."

Early Origins of the Novel family

The surname Novel was first found in Venice, the most famous city of the Veneto region, is noted for the beautiful Cathedral of Saint Mark, and the unique canals which wind throughout the city. It is in this rich Italian region that origins of the Novel surname are found. Roots of the Novel family have been located in the city of Padua, with Riccardino Novelli, a government consul in 1113.

Early History of the Novel family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Novel research. The years 1264, 1293, 1334, 1349, 1418, 1465, 1561, 1600 and 1662 are included under the topic Early Novel History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Novel Spelling Variations

Spelling variations of this family name include: Novelli, Novello, Novel, Noviello, Novella, Novèl, Novellis, Novelloni, Novellucci, Novi and many more.

Early Notables of the Novel family

Prominent among members of the family was

  • Andrea, Antonio, and Giovanni Novello, who were involved in the Senate in Genoa during the late 13th century
  • Prosavio Novelli was Bishop of Ceneda in 1264
  • Luigi Novelli was a military Captain of 600 soldiers and was known for his bravery and outstanding conduct
  • many members of the Novelloni family of Bologna were involved in the Senate during the 14th century
  • Francesco Novelli was ambassador to Milan and to the Pope in 1349
  • members of the Novellis family in Saluzzo were officially recognized as Barons of Coarazze. In later years, bearers of the Novel name included Camillo Novelli, a renowned physician and philosopher from Pa...
  • Giovan-Lodovico Novelli of Ferrara, Lord of the castle in Sassuolo in 1561
  • Tito and Biagio Novelli, who were Bishops in Adria


United States Novel migration to the United States +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Novel Settlers in United States in the 19th Century
  • Mrs. Novel, who arrived in New Orleans, Louisiana, in 1820
  • Mr. E. Novel, (b. 1816), aged 32, Cornish mechanic departing from Penzance aboard the ship "Mountaineer" arriving in the United States on 29th May 1848 1
  • Mrs. M. Novel, (b. 1817), aged 31, Cornish settler departing from Penzance aboard the ship "Mountaineer" arriving in the United States on 29th May 1848 1
  • Miss E. Novel, (b. 1840), aged 8, Cornish settler departing from Penzance aboard the ship "Mountaineer" arriving in the United States on 29th May 1848 1
  • Miss D. Novel, (b. 1841), aged 7, Cornish settler departing from Penzance aboard the ship "Mountaineer" arriving in the United States on 29th May 1848 1
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)


  1. Cornwall Online Parish Clerks. (Retrieved 2018, April 30). Emigrants to New York 1820 - 1891 [PDF]. Retrieved from http://www.opc-cornwall.org/Resc/pdfs/emigration_new_york_1820_1891.pdf


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