Penni History, Family Crest & Coats of ArmsThe distinguished surname Penni originated in an area of Italy, known as the Papal States. Although people were originally known only by a single name, it became necessary for people to adapt 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 are characterized by a profusion of derivatives coined from given names. Although the most traditional type of family name found in the region of the Papal States is the patronymic surname, which is derived from the father's given name, local surnames are also found. Local names, which are the least frequent of the major types of surnames found in Italy, are derived from a place-name where the original bearer once resided or held land. Often Italian local surnames bore the prefix "di," which signifies emigration from one place to another, but does not necessarily denote nobility. The Penni family lived in one of several places in Italy named Penna. Early Origins of the Penni familyThe surname Penni was first found in 1189, when Alessio Penna was created Cardinal by Pope Clemente III. Early History of the Penni familyThis web page shows only a small excerpt of our Penni research. The years 1325, 1364, 1390, 1475, 1680, 1689 and 1745 are included under the topic Early Penni History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Penni Spelling VariationsItalian surnames come in far more variations than the names of most other nationalities. Regional traditions and dialects are a decisive factor in this characteristic. For example, northern names tend to end in "o", while southern in "i". Also important, but not unique to Italy, was the fact that before dictionaries and the printing press most scribes simply spelled words according to their sounds. The predictable result was an enormous number of spelling variations. The recorded spellings of Penni include Penna, Penni, Pa Penna, Papenna, Penne, Penella, Pennelli, Penniello, Pennacchi, Pennario, Pennarella, Pennarelli, Pennarola, Pennetta, Pennetti, Pennino, Pennini, Pennone, Pennoni, Pennacci, Pennazzi, Pennese and many more. Early Notables of the Penni familyProminent among members of the family was
Migration of the Penni familySome of the first North American settlers with Penni name or one of its variants: Rich Penne, who arrived in Virginia in 1648; Adolfo Pannone, aged 22, who arrived at Ellis Island from Yinfurmo, Italy, in 1904; Alessandro Pannone, aged 16, who arrived at Ellis Island from Morrone, Italy, in 1920.
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