Chiaro History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
Italy

The name Chiaro is derived from the Italian word "chiari," which means "clear," or " luminous." As such, the Chiaro surname was likely originally a nickname for a person with a clear or light complexion. Nickname surnames were derived from an eke-name, or added name, and usually reflected the physical characteristics or attributes of the first person that used the name.

Early Origins of the Chiaro family

The surname Chiaro was first found in the 8th century, when Orso Chiarelli was one of the leaders of the town of Ferraruola.

Early History of the Chiaro family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Chiaro research. The years 1391, 1400, 1615, 1660, 1669, 1712, 1720, 1745, 1766 and 1800 are included under the topic Early Chiaro History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Chiaro 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 Chiaro include Chiarucci, Chiari, Chiaro, Chiara, Clari, Claro, De Chiara, Del Chiaro, Di Chiara, Clarich, Chiarenti, Chiaretti, Chiarelli, Chiarello, Chiariello, Chiarel, Chiarella, Claretti, Chiarini, Chiarìn, Clarini, Chiarotti, Chiart, Clarotti, Chiaroni, Chiaranda, Chiarandini, Chiarante, Chiarantini, Chiarato, Chiaratto, Chiarenza, Chiarito, Chiarizia, Clarizia, Chiarolla, Chiarulli, Chiarullo, Chiarugi, Chiarutti, Chiaruttini, Chiaraluce, Chiarantoni and many more.

Early Notables of the Chiaro family

Prominent among members of the family was

Manfredi III Chiaramonte (died 1391), a Sicilian nobleman, Lord of Trapani, Agrigento, Bivona, Licata, Castronovo, Lentini, Palma di Montechiaro and Mussomeli
Anton-Maria Del Chiaro (fl. 1660), a Florentine Italian secretary of Constantin Brancoveanu, the Prince of Wallachia

Chiaro migration to the United States +

A search of the immigration and passenger lists has shown a number of people bearing the name Chiaro:

Chiaro Settlers in United States in the 19th Century

Anna Maria Chiaro, aged 37, who immigrated to the United States from Pastena, in 1896

Chiaro Settlers in United States in the 20th Century

Angelo Chiaro, aged 32, who immigrated to America from Cittanova, in 1903
Angelo Chiaro, aged 34, who landed in America from Palmi, Italy, in 1905
Cado Chiaro, aged 22, who immigrated to the United States from Artuza, in 1907
Antonio Chiaro, aged 24, who settled in America from Pastena, Italy, in 1913
Antonio Chiaro, aged 4, who landed in America from Stigliano, Italy, in 1916
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)