Show ContentsCapelli History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

From the ancient and picturesque Italian region of Venice emerged a variety of distinguished names, including the notable surname Capelli. 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 Capelli family lived in the city of Ferrara, where the Cappelli family occupied many of the first seats in the Estensi Court in the 12th century.

Early Origins of the Capelli family

The surname Capelli was first found in the city of Ferrara, where the Cappelli family occupied many of the first seats in the Estensi Court in the 12th century.

Early History of the Capelli family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Capelli research. The years 1336, 1340, 1377, 1411, 1449, 1530, 1548, 1587, 1656, 1670, 1734, 1738, 1740, 1790, 1818 and 1859 are included under the topic Early Capelli History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Capelli Spelling Variations

In comparison with other European surnames, Italian surnames have a surprising number of forms. They reflect the regional variations and the many dialects of the Italian language, each with its own distinctive features. For example, in Northern Italy the typical Italian surname suffix is "i", whereas in Southern Italy it is "o". Additionally, spelling changes frequently occurred because medieval scribes and church officials often spelled names as they sounded rather than according to any specific spelling rules. The spelling variations in the name Capelli include Cappelli, Cappello, Cappiello, Cappella, Cappilli, Capelli, Capello, Capelle, Cappelletti, Cappelletto, Capelletti, Cappellini, Cappelìn, Cappelloni, Cappellacci, Cappellaccio, Cappellazzo, Cappellari, Cappellaro, Cappellèr, Capellari, Cappelluti and many more.

Early Notables of the Capelli family

Prominent among members of the family was

  • Pietro Capelli (died 1734), was an Italian painter of the Rococo

Capelli Ranking

In France, the name Capelli is the 5,524th most popular surname with an estimated 1,000 - 1,500 people with that name. [1]

Migration of the Capelli family

A look at the immigration and passenger lists has shown a number of people bearing the name Capelli: Serafino Capelli who arrived in America in 1868, Joseph Cappelli who arrived in America in 1876, Antonio Capelle who arrived in America in 1878, and John Cappelli who arrived in America in 1878..


Contemporary Notables of the name Capelli (post 1700) +

  • Pietro Capelli (d. 1734), Italian painter of the Rococo
  • Ivan Capelli (b. 1963), Italian former Formula One driver
  • Marco Roberto Capelli (b. 1971), Italian poet
  • Giovanni Antonio Capelli (1664-1741), Italian painter of the late-Baroque
  • Ermanno Capelli (b. 1985), Italian professional road racing cyclist
  • Daniele Capelli (b. 1986), Italian footballer
  • Alfredo Capelli (1855-1910), Italian mathematician, eponym of Capelli's identity


  1. http://www.journaldesfemmes.com/nom-de-famille/nom/


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