Show ContentsVolpe History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

From the historical and enchanting Italian region of the islands of Sicily emerged a multitude of noble families, including the distinguished Volpe family. 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 were characterized by a profusion of derivatives coined from given names. Although the most common type of family name found in Sicily is the patronymic surname, which is derived from the father's given name, the nickname type of surname is also frequently found. Nickname surnames were derived from an eke-name, or added name. They usually reflected the physical characteristics or attributes of the first person that used the name. The surname Volpe is a name for a person who was clever and noted for their wisdom. The surname is derived from Italian word volpe, which literally means fox. It is interesting to note that it was only in later years that the word fox was attributed to a person who was sly or cunning.

Early Origins of the Volpe family

The surname Volpe was first found in Naples, (Italian: Napoli, Latin: Neapolis.)

Early History of the Volpe family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Volpe research. The years 1400, 1479, 1493, 1633 and 1706 are included under the topic Early Volpe History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Volpe Spelling Variations

Spelling variations of this family name include: Volpe, Volpes, Vlpi, Volpi, Volpis, Vulpi, Dalla Volpe, Della Volpe, La Volpicella, La Volpe, Lavolpe, Volpella, Volpelli, Volpatti, Volpatto, Volpone, Volponi, Volpato, Volpicella, Volpicèlla, Volpicello and many more.

Early Notables of the Volpe family

By the end of the 15th century, southern Italy was known as the Kingdom of Naples, ruled by the house of Aragon. By the early eighteenth century, the Austrians had gained much of the region, under the rule of the Austrian emperor Kales VI. However, in 1734, Spaniard Don Carlos defeated the Austrians, and the region came under Spanish rule once more. In 1799, the French invaded Naples and in 1806, Napoleon's brother Joseph was made king, but this hold on Italy was not to last. In 1813 the Congress Of Vienna restored pre-Napoleonic rule. Among prominent bearers of this surname in early times were:

  • Giovanni di Volpicella of Naples; Girolamo Volpini, born in 1493 who was a doctor of laws; Giovambattista Della Volpe, born in the early 1400's, who became a world explorer, and Taddeo Volpe, born in...

Volpe Ranking

In the United States, the name Volpe is the 5,563rd most popular surname with an estimated 4,974 people with that name. 1 However, in France, the name Volpe is ranked the 7,163rd most popular surname with an estimated 1,000 - 1,500 people with that name. 2


Volpe migration to the United States +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Volpe Settlers in United States in the 20th Century
  • Adelina Volpe, aged 2, who landed in America from Stella Cilento, in 1902
  • Adelina Volpe, aged 1, who immigrated to America from Ragiano Gravina, Italy, in 1907
  • Alessandra Volpe, aged 3, who landed in America from S. Nicole, Italy, in 1909
  • Agnello Volpe, aged 17, who landed in America from San Ferdinando di Puglia, Italy, in 1909
  • Alaldo Volpe, aged 19, who settled in America from Piperno, Italy, in 1910
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Contemporary Notables of the name Volpe (post 1700) +

  • Arnold Volpe (1869-1940), Lithuanian-born American composer and conductor
  • Giancarlo Volpe (b. 1974), Italian-American animator, director, and producer
  • Jon Volpe (b. 1968), American star running back in the CFL
  • Robert Volpe (1942-2006), American painter and New York City police officer and detective, specializing in art theft
  • Joseph Volpe (b. 1940), General Manager of the Metropolitan Opera from 1990 to 2006
  • John Anthony Volpe (1908-1994), American politician, 61st and 63rd Governor of Massachusetts, U.S. Secretary of Transportation
  • M. Carroll Volpe, American Democratic Party politician, Delegate to Democratic National Convention from Michigan, 1984 3
  • John Anthony Volpe (1908-1994), American Republican politician, Governor of Massachusetts, 1961-63, 1965-69; Defeated, 1962; U.S. Secretary of Transportation, 1969-73; U.S. Ambassador to Italy, 1973-77 3
  • Jennie B. Volpe, American Republican politician, Presidential Elector for Massachusetts, 1956 3
  • Claire Volpe, American politician, Mayor of Maple Shade Township, New Jersey, 2007 3
  • ... (Another 10 notables are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)


  1. "What are the 5,000 Most Common Last Names in the U.S.?". NameCensus.com, https://namecensus.com/last-names/
  2. http://www.journaldesfemmes.com/nom-de-famille/nom/
  3. The Political Graveyard: Alphabetical Name Index. (Retrieved 2015, October 8) . Retrieved from http://politicalgraveyard.com/alpha/index.html


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