Vitale History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England
Spain
Ireland

This noble family claim descent from the Normans, specifically from the Latin name Vitalis, which is derived from the Old French names Vitel, Viel, the name of some ten saints (Latin vitalis 'pertaining to life, vital'), and became common in England after the Conquest both in its learned form Vitalis and in the northern French form Viel. The absence of early forms of Vidal suggests that this was a later immigrant from Languedoc. Viel also survives as Veal. Vital may also be attributive from Middle English vital in the sense 'full of vitality' 1

Early Origins of the Vitale family

The surname Vitale was first found in the Domesday Book of 1086 where the early Latin spellings Vitalis, Vitel and Fitel were listed. In Devon, the Domesday Book records Vitalis de Colintone as holding lands there at that time. 2 1

The lands of Devon were held by Vitalis of Berny. Abbot Vitalis was Abbot of Westminster in 1076 and he may have been at the confirmation of Duke William as King of England at Lillebonne in Normandy in 1061.

Early History of the Vitale family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Vitale research. Another 174 words (12 lines of text) covering the years 1041, 1153, 1172, 1191, 1194, 1327, 1474, 1476, 1510, 1543, 1600, 1629, 1632, 1648, 1674, 1708 and 1744 are included under the topic Early Vitale History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Vitale Spelling Variations

Endless spelling variations are a prevailing characteristic of Norman surnames. Old and Middle English lacked any definite spelling rules, and the introduction of Norman French added an unfamiliar ingredient to the English linguistic stew. French and Latin, the languages of the court, also influenced spellings. Finally, Medieval scribes generally spelled words according to how they sounded, so one person was often referred to by different spellings in different documents. The name has been spelled Vial, Vidal, Vital, Viall, Veel, Vele, Veil, Veele, Vidall, Vital, Vitall, Viel and many more.

Early Notables of the Vitale family

Outstanding amongst the family at this time was Edward Veel or Veal (1632?-1708), an English nonconformist tutor, of good family, and born, probably in Gloucestershire. Robert...
Another 26 words (2 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Vitale Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Vitale Ranking

In the United States, the name Vitale is the 3,552^nd most popular surname with an estimated 7,461 people with that name. 3 However, in France, the name Vitale is ranked the 5,871^st most popular surname with an estimated 1,000 - 1,500 people with that name. 4

Migration of the Vitale family to Ireland

Some of the Vitale family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 70 words (5 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Vitale migration to the United States +

To escape the political and religious persecution within England at the time, many English families left for the various British colonies abroad. The voyage was extremely difficult, though, and the cramped, dank ships caused many to arrive in the New World diseased and starving. But for those who made it, the trip was most often worth it. Many of the families who arrived went on to make valuable contributions to the emerging nations of Canada and the United States. An inquiry into the early roots of North American families reveals a number of immigrants bearing the name Vitale or a variant listed above:

Vitale Settlers in United States in the 19th Century

Francisco Vitale, aged 30, who landed in New Orleans, La in 1827 5
Egidio Vitale, who arrived in New York on Nov. 23, 1881 aboard the "Ferdinand Delesseps"
Francesco Vitale, who arrived in New York on May 21, 1883 aboard the "Assyria"
Agostino Vitale, who arrived at New York on May 18, 1883 aboard the "Alesia"
Angelo Vitale, who arrived in New York on July 16, 1886, aboard the "Archimede"
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Vitale Settlers in United States in the 20th Century

Accussio Vitale, aged 9, who settled in America from Sciacca, in 1906
Andrea Vitale, aged 32, who landed in America from Palermo, Sicily, in 1906
Alfonso Vitale, aged 0, who landed in America from Valledolmo, Sicily, in 1907
Adelaide Vitale, aged 22, who landed in America from S. M. Capna, Caserta, in 1909
Antonino Vitale, aged 42, who landed in America from Cinisi, Sicily, in 1909
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Contemporary Notables of the name Vitale (post 1700) +

Louis Vitale OFM (1932-2023), American Franciscan friar, peace activist, and a co-founder of Nevada Desert Experience
Louie Vitale (b. 1932), American Roman Catholic priest; cofounder of the Nevada Desert Experience
Carol Vitale (b. 1948), American model and television hostess
Dick Vitale (b. 1939), American basketball broadcaster
Ami Vitale (b. 1971), American photojournalist
Peter Vitale, American Republican politician, Delegate to Republican National Convention from Michigan, 2008 6
Fred Vitale, American politician, Candidate for Presidential Elector for Michigan, 2012 6
Catherine Vitale (b. 1964), American Republican politician, Delegate to Republican National Convention from Maryland, 2004 6
Joseph F Vitale (b. 1954), American politician, New Jersey State Senator (1998-)
Salvatore "Good Looking Sal" Vitale, New York City Mafioso in the Bonanno family, testified against boss Joe Massino in 2004
... (Another 1 notables are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Citations +

Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)
Williams, Dr Ann. And G.H. Martin, Eds., Domesday Book A Complete Translation. London: Penguin, 1992. Print. (ISBN 0-141-00523-8)
"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)
The Political Graveyard: Alphabetical Name Index. (Retrieved 2016, February 19) . Retrieved from http://politicalgraveyard.com/alpha/index.html