From the ancient and picturesque Italian region of Venice emerged a variety of distinguished names, including the notable surname Fonsecca. 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 Venice 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 Fonsecca family lived in the city of Naples, with Agostino and Antonio di Giovanni Fonseca, who were officially recognized with the titles of Marquis in the city.
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Early Origins of the Fonsecca family
The surname Fonsecca was first found in Venice, with Agostino and Antonio di Giovanni Fonseca, who were officially recognized with the titles of Marquis in the city.
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Early History of the Fonsecca family
This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Fonsecca research. More information is included under the topic Early Fonsecca History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
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Fonsecca Spelling Variations
Italian 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 Fonsecca include Fonseca, Fonsecca. and others.
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Early Notables of the Fonsecca family
Prominent among members of the family was Elenora Pimentel Marchesa di Fonseca. She was a noblewoman in Naples during the early 18th century, and was wife of the powerful Ferdinand I... Another 30 words (2 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Fonsecca Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
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Migration of the Fonsecca family
Early North American immigration records have revealed a number of people bearing the name Fonsecca or a variant listed above: A. da Silva Fonseca, aged 35 who arrived at Eillis Island in 1921; A. Domingos Fonseca, aged 28 who arrived at Eillis Island in 1921; A.A. Fonseca, aged 36 who arrived at Eillis Island in 1911.
Italy
