First found in Calabria a territorial district of Italy. Ancient Calabria was in Lecce. Modern Calabria is in the southern extremity of Italy coasting the straits of Messina. Reggio and Messina are the cities of note. This beautiful region produces wine. Olive oil and fruit. Reggio was heavily bombed during WWII because of its strategical link with Sicily. 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, at the beginning of recorded history, was of itself a great distinction and indicative of noble ancestry.

Some of the first settlers of this family name or some of its variants were: Many settlers were recorded from the end of the 19th century in the great migration from Italy to the New World. Migrants settled in the eastern seaboard principally in New York, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania..

For more information on the last name Gentle, the PDF Surname History is available for purchase as well as other products.