Volpe History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

• Origins Available:
• Italy

Etymology of Volpe

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

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