Show ContentsCalvi History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

From the ancient and picturesque Italian region of Lombardy emerged a variety of distinguished names, including the notable surname Calvi. 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 are characterized by a profusion of derivatives coined from given names. Although the most traditional type of family name found in the region of Lombardy 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 Calvi family lived in Milan since the 12th century.

Early Origins of the Calvi family

The surname Calvi was first found in the 12th century, when the Calvelli family lived in Milan.

Early History of the Calvi family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Calvi research. The years 1390, 1396, 1400, 1405, 1651, 1710, 1771 and 1800 are included under the topic Early Calvi History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Calvi Spelling Variations

Enormous variation in spelling and form characterizes those Italian names that originated in the medieval era. This is caused by two main factors: regional tradition, and inaccuracies in the recording process. Before the last few hundred years, scribes spelled names according to their sounds. Spelling variations were the unsurprising result. The variations of Calvi include Calvi, Calvo, Calvelli, Calvèlli, Calvello, Calvèllo, Calvento, Calvetti, Calvètti, Calviètti, Calvietti, Calvini, Calvino, Calvillo, Calvani, Calvano, Calvanelli, Calvanèlli, Calvagno, Calvagna, Calveri, Calvèri, Calvosa and many more.

Early Notables of the Calvi family

Prominent among bearers of this family in early times was

  • Antonio Calvi of Rome who lived during the 14th century and was a lawyer. In 1405 he was made a Cardinal of the city. Antonio Calvi of Rome was Bishop of Imola in 1390 and then of Todi in 1396, and wa...
  • Marcantoni and Aurelio Benedetto Felice Calvi were talented painters in Genoa in the 16th century
  • Battista di Giorgio Calvi was elected Doge of Genoa in 1651
  • Giovanni Vincenzo Calvi was a sculptor in 1710 with many works left in Vicenza, which can be seen today. Placido Calvario was governor of the nobility in Messina in 1771
  • Pasquale Calvi of Messina was a soldier and a marine around 1800


United States Calvi migration to the United States +

Research into various historical records has revealed some of first members of the Calvi family to immigrate North America:

Calvi Settlers in United States in the 19th Century
  • Battista Calvi, who arrived in New York on April 9, 1885, aboard the "St. Germain"
  • Louis Calvi, who arrived in New York on Sept. 12, 1887 aboard the " La Bourgogne"
  • Louis Calvi, who arrived in New York on Sept. 12, 1887 aboard the "La Bourgogne"
  • Armodino Calvi, aged 41, who settled in America, in 1893
Calvi Settlers in United States in the 20th Century
  • Agata Calvi, aged 8, who immigrated to the United States from Palermo, Palermo, in 1906
  • Antonio Calvi, aged 40, who landed in America from Cassano, Pavia, in 1907
  • Angelo Calvi, aged 28, who landed in America from Moio. di Calvi, Italy, in 1909
  • Agostino Calvi, aged 9, who immigrated to America from Moio, Italy, in 1913
  • Anna Calvi, aged 13, who immigrated to the United States from Stiolionio, Italy, in 1914
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Contemporary Notables of the name Calvi (post 1700) +

  • Julius M. Calvi (1917-2009), American attorney and politician, Mayor North Adams, Massachusetts (1956-1958)
  • Ercole Calvi (1824-1900), Italian painter
  • Pompeo Calvi (1806-1884), Italian painter
  • Ignazio Calvi (1797-1872), Italian patriot and chess player
  • Pino Calvi (1930-1989), Italian pianist, arranger and conductor
  • Roberto Calvi (1920-1982), Italian banker and financier, nicknamed "God's Banker" becasue of his close association with the Holy See
  • Fabrizio Calvi (1954-2021), French investigative journalist who was specialized in cases involving organized crime and the secret services
  • Anna Margaret Michelle Calvi (b. 1980), English musician


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