Principe History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
Italy

The surname Principe is derived from the Latin word "princeps," which in turn comes from "primus," which means "first" and "capere," which means "to take." This name was likely originally a nickname for someone who behaved in a regal manner.

Early Origins of the Principe family

The surname Principe was first found in Bolgna (Latin: Bononia), the largest city and the capital of Emilia-Romagna Region. The earliest origins of this name have been traced to the city of Bologna, where a member of the Principi family was involved in the government in 1249. The famous University of Bolgna was founded in the 11th century, by the 13th century the student body was nearly 10,000. Dante and Petrarch studied there. In those ancient times only persons of rank, the podesta, clergy, city officials, army officers, artists, landowners were entered into the records. To be recorded at this time was in itself a family honor. It is claimed that the Principi family has its roots in the 10th century, however, documented evidence starts in the 13th century when they held estates from 1249 to 1359 in the city.

Early History of the Principe family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Principe research. Another 132 words (9 lines of text) covering the years 1298, 1359, 1598, 1720 and 1769 are included under the topic Early Principe History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Principe Spelling Variations

Surnames that originated in Italy are characterized by an enormous number of spelling variations. Some of these are derived from regional traditions and dialects. Northern names, for instance, often end in "o", while southern names tend to end in "i". Other variations come from the fact the medieval scribes tended to spell according to the sound of words, rather than any particular set of rules. The recorded variations of Principe include Principi, Principe, Principio, Principato, de Principe, Prinzi and many more.

Early Notables of the Principe family

Prominent among members of the family was

the Principe family of Bologna

Principe migration to the United States +

An examination into the immigration and passenger lists has discovered a number of people bearing the name Principe:

Principe Settlers in United States in the 16th Century

Juan Principe, who arrived in Mexico in 1538
Ines Principe, who arrived in Peru in 1592
Maria Principe, who arrived in Peru in 1598

Principe Settlers in United States in the 18th Century

Francisco Principe, who settled in Mississippi in 1794

Principe Settlers in United States in the 19th Century

Juan Principe, who landed in New Spain in 1838 1
Antonio Principe, aged 38, who settled in America from Carolei, Italy, in 1893

Principe Settlers in United States in the 20th Century

Angelo Principe, aged 32, who immigrated to the United States from Sinaitino, in 1900
Antonia Principe, aged 14, who settled in America from Bernardo, Italy, in 1900
Antonio Principe, who immigrated to the United States from Foggia, in 1903
Antonio Principe, aged 43, who landed in America from Pannarano, in 1906
Alfredo Principe, aged 20, who settled in America from Cosenza, Italy, in 1909
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Contemporary Notables of the name Principe (post 1700) +

Jon Principe (b. 1977), American mixed martial arts fighter
Joe Principe, American rock guitarist
Dawn Principe (b. 1963), American female bodybuilder
Walter H Principe, professor of theology at the University of Toronto as of 1992

Citations +

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)