Miele
An Italian surname from the word for “honey,” likely first used as a nickname or to describe someone sweet-natured or connected with honey making.
The #8,923 most common surname in the United States (2010 Census) — about 1 in every 84,173 Americans shares it.
Etymology
Miele is an Italian surname built on the common Italian word miele, meaning “honey,” from Latin mel. In surname use, it was probably first applied as a nickname for someone thought to be sweet, pleasant, or honey-related, or to someone involved in selling or handling honey. Italian surnames often preserve ordinary vocabulary words in exactly this way.
History
The name is found in Italy and in Italian diaspora communities abroad, especially in the United States, where it is associated with immigration from southern and central Italian regions. As with many Italian surnames based on everyday words, it likely developed independently in more than one place.
Origin
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Fun fact
The surname is closely tied to one of the oldest and most universal foods: honey, which has been valued in Europe since antiquity.