Mascia History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
Italy

Etymology of Mascia

What does the name Mascia mean?

The Italian surname Mascia is of occupational origin, deriving from the profession or the trade of the original bearer. In this instance the surname derives from a regional form, common to the dialects of Sicily and Campania - the word "masciu", which means in standard Italian "maestro" or "mastro", and in English "master".

Thus it is possible to imagine the progenitor as someone involved in an occupation or a trade, in which, with time, he became such an expert, that he was called "maestro". The meaning of the surname Mascia is therefore "son or descendant of the master".

The use of the Italian word "mastro", or its equivalent spread throughout Europe, and today we have in France the surname "Maitre", in England "Master", in Spain "Maestro", and in Germany "Meister".

Early Origins of the Mascia family

The surname Mascia was first found in Rimini a resort town in Italy in the Province of Forli on the Adriatic Coast. The ancient Castle of Sigismono Malatesta is now a ruin. History starts about 538 and the town changed hands many times. It came under the influence of the Malatestas in 1216. It flourished under Sigismondo Pandolfo from 1416 who added many treasures to the town. The Church of St. Francis is noted.

The Dizionario Storico-Blasonico, a list of the Italian nobility, mentions a family by the name of Mascia, originating from Naples. Giovan-Leonardo Mascia was endowed with the title of count by King Philip of Spain in 1586.

Early History of the Mascia family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Mascia research. Another 108 words (8 lines of text) covering the years 1449 and 1475 are included under the topic Early Mascia History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Mascia Spelling Variations

Spelling variations of this family name include: Macelli, Maschi, Masciarelli, Maskaly, Masskali and many more.

Early Notables of the Mascia family

More information is included under the topic Early Mascia Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Mascia family

Some of the first settlers of this family name or some of its variants were: Sara Mask, who arrived in Virginia in 1664; Eliz Mask, who came to Virginia in 1703; and Wenzel Mask, who arrived in New York, NY in 1867.

Contemporary Notables of the name Mascia (post 1700) +

Jennifer Mascia (b. 1977), American author of Never Tell Our Business to Strangers (2010)
Nello Mascia (b. 1946), Italian actor who has appeared in more than forty feature films since 1970
Graziella Mascia (1953-2018), Italian politician from Magenta, Lombardy, member of the Communist Refoundation Party in 1991
Bautista Mascia (b. 1996), Uruguayan singer and rugby union player
Juan Cruz Mascia (b. 1994), Uruguayan footballer who plays as a forward.