Show ContentsNappi History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The Italian Nappi surname has several possible derivations. It may have come from the words "nappa gib," meaning "large nose," or perhaps from the Calabrian term "nappa," used to denote a "clay dish." In either case, the Nappi surname is thought to have evolved from a nickname. In general, Nappi would have been a plural form of the word, while Nappa, would have been more popular as a name in Southern Italy.

Early Origins of the Nappi family

The surname Nappi was first found in Ancona, an important seaport town and province in Eastern Italy, home to the 11th century Cathedral of Ancona. Ancona was part of the Holy Roman Empire in the 12th century, and then, in the 16th century, it came under papal protection. Four members of the Nappi family of Ancona took holy orders including Filippo Nappi, in 1567, Francesco Nappi, in 1583, another Francesco in 1587, and Cesare-Marcellino Nappi in 1654.

Early History of the Nappi family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Nappi research. Another 75 words (5 lines of text) covering the years 1550, 1573, 1621, 1638, 1656, 1659 and 1704 are included under the topic Early Nappi History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Nappi Spelling Variations

Spelling variations of this family name include: Nappi, Nappa, Nappo and others.

Early Notables of the Nappi family

Prominent among members of the family was

  • the aforementioned Francesco Nappi, who was vice-envoy (vicelegato) of Bologna under Pope Paul "Paolo" V (1550-1621), and was made bishop of Polignano in 1621...
  • Yet another Francesco Nappi (1573-1638), was an Italian painter of Milan, whose works include "The Resurrection and Assumption of the Virgin" and the "Annunciation...

Nappi Ranking

In the United States, the name Nappi is the 12,999th most popular surname with an estimated 2,487 people with that name. 1

Migration of the Nappi family

Some of the first settlers of this family name or some of its variants were: Michela Nappa, age 23, who arrived in America on Oct. 7, 1880, aboard the "Victoria"; Giosue Nappi, age 29, who arrived in New York on June 11, 1883, aboard the ".


Contemporary Notables of the name Nappi (post 1700) +

  • Michele Nappi (b. 1951), retired Italian professional football player
  • Chiara R. Nappi, Italian physicist
  • Marco Nappi (b. 1966), retired Italian professional football player


  1. "What are the 5,000 Most Common Last Names in the U.S.?". NameCensus.com, https://namecensus.com/last-names/


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