Occhi History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
Italy

The name Occhi is derived from the Italian word "occhi," which means "eyes." It comes from a class of surnames known as Nickname surnames that usually reflected the physical characteristics or attributes of the first person that used the name. It is likely that the original bearer of the Occhi surname had distinctive eyes, or perhaps was known for having good eyesight.

Early Origins of the Occhi family

The surname Occhi was first found in Verona, capital city of the Italian province of Veneto. The earliest mention of this surname was in nearby Legnago, where Codrado Occhi di Cane was Governor in 1256. The ancient city of Verona was the chief town of the Cenomani, a Gaulish tribe and became a Latin town in 89 B.C. It became part of Lombardy(568,) Frankish, Bartolmeo ruled and died in 1304. It is said to be the home of Romeo and Juliet. The city is rich in churches, museums, galleries, paintings, sculptures, statues and monuments. The cathedral was consecrated in 1187. 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.

Early History of the Occhi family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Occhi research. Another 102 words (7 lines of text) covering the years 1279, 1423 and 1759 are included under the topic Early Occhi History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Occhi Spelling Variations

Spelling variations of this family name include: Occhi, Occhiello, Occhillo, Occhini, Occhino, Occiuzzi, Occhioni, Occhillo, Occiuto, Occhiuti, Occhionero, Occhinegro and many more.

Early Notables of the Occhi family

Prominent among bearers of this family in early times was

Others of note include: Bernardino Occhino, who studied medicine at Perugia and became a monk of the Franciscan order in Siena...
Federico Occhi di Cane was one of the peacemakers in the agreement between Brescia, Mantua and Verona in 1279...
In 1423 the Occhi di Cane family was officially honored as nobility in Verona...
Giuseppe Occhipinti of Sicily became Lord of the feudal territories of Corallo and Calamaro in 1759...

Occhi migration to the United States +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Occhi Settlers in United States in the 19th Century

Filomena Occhi, who arrived at the port of New York aboard the Werra on May 2, 1892

Occhi Settlers in United States in the 20th Century

Lino Luizi Occhi, aged 22, who immigrated to the United States from St Martino, No Italy, in 1909
Antonio Occhi, aged 16, who landed in America from Parola, Italy, in 1910
Francesco Occhi, aged 18, who landed in America from Fontanellato, Italy, in 1910
Maria Occhi, aged 28, who immigrated to the United States from Copparo, Italy, in 1911
Mario Occhi, aged 5, who landed in America from Copparo, Italy, in 1911
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)