Show ContentsMazzei History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The surname Mazzei is a common occupational name for a person who was a toolmaker. The occupational surname Mazza is derived from the Italian word mazza, which is translated as a club, hammer, mace or staff of office. The name also exists as one of a number of compound names such as Mazzacane, Mazzagalli, Mazzapica, or Mazzamici.

Early Origins of the Mazzei family

The surname Mazzei was first found in Reggio-Emilia, where records can be traced to Lazzaro Mazzoli, Councillor of the State in 1186. Other early records show Blasco Mazza, who was in the Cavalry in Messina in 1287, and later became the Baron of Sellia. The Mazza family of Modena entered into the ranks of nobility in 1306.

Early History of the Mazzei family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Mazzei research. The years 1377, 1450, 1503, 1528, 1613, 1653, 1741 and 1766 are included under the topic Early Mazzei History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Mazzei Spelling Variations

There are many variations of most of those Italian names that originated in the medieval era. Some of these come from regional differences, like the tradition of ending northern names in "o" and southern names in "i". Others come from inaccuracies in the recording process, which were extremely common in the eras before dictionaries standardized spelling. Some of the spelling variations of Mazzei are Mazza, Mazzetto, Mazzinghi, Mazzoleni, Mazzarelli, Mazzetti, Mazzino, Mazzini, Mazzola, Mazzoli, Mazzuoli, Mazzoletti, Mazzotta, Mazzotti, Mazzone, Mazzoni, Mazzali, Mazzanti and many more.

Early Notables of the Mazzei family

Prominent among members of the family was Filippo Mazzola, a famous painter from Parma during the late 15th century. His works can be seen in Padua, Parma, Strasburg, Naples, London, Venice, and Massachusetts. Guido Mazzoni was a famous sculptor from Modena around 1450. He is also known as "Il Paganino," and among his works is a bust of King Ferrante of Naples. Giulio Mazzoni was a famous painter and sculptor in Piacenza during the early 16th century, an was a pupil of Vasari. Marc'Antonio Mazzone was a Venetian musician who wrote 2 books of madrigals during the 16th century. Jacopo di...
Another 170 words (12 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Mazzei Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.


Mazzei migration to the United States +

In the immigration and passenger lists a number of early immigrants bearing the name Mazzei were found:

Mazzei Settlers in United States in the 20th Century
  • Amalia Mazzei, aged 16, who immigrated to the United States from Barcellona Italy, in 1906
  • Alberta Mazzei, aged 20, who immigrated to America from Casalguidi, Italy, in 1910
  • Carmine Mazzei, aged 48, who landed in America from Cairano, Italy, in 1910
  • Alfonso Mazzei, aged 33, who landed in America from Forino, Italy, in 1911
  • Angelo Mazzei, aged 18, who landed in America from Tagliacozzo, Italy, in 1912
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Contemporary Notables of the name Mazzei (post 1700) +

  • Frank Mazzei (1912-1977), American Democratic member of the Pennsylvania State Senate (1967-1975)
  • Mike Mazzei (b. 1965), American politician, Oklahoma State Senator (2004-), Assistant Majority Floor Leader of the Oklahoma Senate
  • Frank Mazzei (1912-1977), American Democratic Party politician, Alternate Delegate to Democratic National Convention from Pennsylvania, 1956, 1960, 1964; Member of Pennsylvania State Senate 43rd District, 1967-76 1
  • Philip Mazzei (1730-1816), Italian physician and a promoter of liberty, close friend of Thomas Jefferson and was an agent to purchase arms for Virginia during the American Revolutionary War
  • Júlio Mazzei, Brazilian soccer coach


  1. The Political Graveyard: Alphabetical Name Index. (Retrieved 2016, February 10) . Retrieved from http://politicalgraveyard.com/alpha/index.html


Houseofnames.com on Facebook