Surnames and Their Origins – June 2022

This month we continue with the letter P.

POLITI – This surname derives from
the Greek word “politis,” meaning citizens. Also accredited to the name of the town of Polito in the province of Cosenza in Calabria. The surname is registered with the Bureaus of Vital Statistics in 19 of Italy’s 20 regions. It is most prevalent in Lombardia. The one region where it has no presence is Basilicata. Variations: Politico, Politanò, Pulitano.

POMANTE – This surname derives from a nickname for families that owned many fruit trees. It’s a rather uncommon surname that is present in only eight regions. It is mostly registered with vital statistics in Abruzzo and least in Liguria. Variations; Pomanti.

POMPEI – This surname derives from the Roman family name “Pompeius.” It is present in significant numbers in all 20 regions. It is mostly registered in Lazio and least in Trentino-Alto Adige. Variations: Pompeo, Pompea.

POMPILIO – This surname derives from the Roman family name “Pompilius.” It is present in 18 regions. It has its strongest presence in Puglia and the least in neighboring Basilicata. It is not present in Umbria or Val d’Aosta. Variations: Pompilii, Pompilia.

POMPONIO – This surname derives from the Roman family name “Pomponius”. The surname is registered with the Bureaus of Vital Statistics in 16 of Italy’s 20 regions. It is mostly registered with vital statistics in Abruzzo. It is not present in Sicilia, Umbria, Val d’Aosta or Trentino – Alto Adige Variations: Pomponia, Pomponii.

PONTI – This surname derives from the Italian word “ponte,” meaning bridge. Ancestors of these present-day Ponti families probably worked on building bridges. It is present in 19 regions. It has its strongest presence in Lombardia and least in Basilicata. It is not present in Molise. Variations: Ponte, Ponticelli, Pontillo, Pontini, Pontoni, Pontiroli, Pontalti.

PORCELLI – This surname derives from the Italian word “porco,” meaning pig, probably connected to a job as pig raiser. The surname is registered with the Bureaus of Vital Statistics in 19 of Italy’s 20 regions. It is most prevalent in Puglia and least in Umbria. The one region where it has no presence is Val d’Aosta. Variations: Porciello, Porcella, Porcellini, Porcelluzzi.

PORRECA – This surname derives probably from the Latin “porrectum,” meaning plateau, extension, to indicate someone coming from this kind of place. It is not among the top list of Italian surnames. It is present in only 15 regions in insignificant numbers at that. However, it seems that a significant numbers of immigrants with that surname came to the Delaware Valley where today there are a number of families with the surname Porreca.

POTALIVO – This surname appears to be a combination of the Italian verb “potare,” meaning to prune and the Italian noun “olivo,” meaning olive tree. In all probability, it indicates a job working in olive farming and/or the production of olive oil. It would seem that Italy, known for its olive industry, that the surname would be in large numbers. However, it is found in only 8 regions and sparsely at that. Variations: Potalivi, Potamio, Potamione.

Next month we’ll look at more Italian surnames starting with the letter P.

You can research your surname on these two websites:
• surnames.behindthename.com/names/usage/italian/
• cognomix.it/mappe-dei-cognomi-italiani