Re: Civitella surname and family

Posted by Forums' Editor on December 10, 2005 at 08:20:59:

In Reply to: Civitella surname and family posted by tom civitello on December 08, 2005 at 03:32:11:

It is a toponimic surname, that is derives from a place. Some remote ancestor settled in Guardiagrele from a place called Civitella, and he was known as (first name) da/di Civitella, which then remained as Civitella only. In Guardiagrele other surnames derived from places appear: Caramanico, Castiglione, della Penna. The "Civitella" may be the small town of Civitella Messer Raimondo, not too far away. In 1753 in Guardiagrele four Civitella families were recorded. A second-hand source - do not know how comprehensive - of 1609 listing the surnames in Guardiagrele does not mention Civitella - so the move from Civitella Messer Raimondo (if that is the place) to Guardiagrele may have taken place between 1609 and late 1600.