Antonelli
A patronymic surname meaning “descendant of Antonio,” ultimately from the Roman personal name Antonius.
The #7,373 most common surname in the United States (2010 Census) — about 1 in every 68,337 Americans shares it.
Etymology
Antonelli is an Italian surname built on the personal name Antonio, which comes from the ancient Roman family name Antonius. The ending -elli is a common Italian surname form and often functions as a patronymic or diminutive pattern, so the name generally means “son or family of Antonio.” In practice, it is best understood as a surname formed from a given name rather than from a place or occupation.
History
The name is especially associated with Italy and with Italian-speaking communities abroad. Like many Italian surnames based on saints’ names and popular baptismal names, it became hereditary over time and spread through migration. Modern bearers are found in Italy, the Americas, and other countries with Italian diaspora communities.
Origin
Regions
Variant spellings
Fun fact
Because Antonio was such a common given name in medieval and early modern Italy, surnames built from it are widespread and often arose independently in different places.
From the historical record
“^Antonacum 319. Antonescul 573. Antonelli 112. Antoni 112. AntoniDi 200. Antoninus 582. Antonio 692. Antonias 112, 435, 582.”
— Die Personennamen, insbesondere die Familiennamen