Surname Giacalone - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'G'
Giacalone: What does the surname Giacalone mean?
The last name Giacalone is of Italian origin and its meaning is not definitively known, as many Italian surnames have regional variations and different interpretations. There are however a few possible interpretations. One is that it's diminutive of the first name "Giacomo", the Italian equivalent of James. Therefore, 'Giacalone' could mean 'Little James' or 'Son of James'. Another possibility is that it might have been derived from the Sicilian word 'Iacaloni', relating to a type of fish, particularly a large mackerel. Therefore, the name could have been associated with family members or ancestors who were fishermen. Professional surnames were quite common in Italy and often described a person’s line of work. Please note that these interpretations are hypotheses and without specific genealogical research, the true meaning and origin of the surname 'Giacalone' cannot be definitively ascertained.
Order DNA origin analysisGiacalone: Where does the name Giacalone come from?
The surname Giacalone is of Italian origin. It is derived from the Italian personal name "Giacalone," which is composed of the elements "Giac" shortened from "Giacomo" (the Italian equivalent of James) and "alone," which means "big" or "large". The term 'Giacalone' thus translates to 'big James'. The name Giacalone first started appearing in Sicily, one of the oldest regions of Italy, where it was established since ancient times.
Today, the surname Giacalone continues to be common in Italy, primarily in the southern region and Sicily. It is also popular in the United States due to Italian immigration in the 19th and 20th centuries, particularly in states like New York, New Jersey, and California that received high numbers of Italian immigrants. Other countries with significant Italian diaspora such as Canada, Argentina, and Australia may also have bearers of this surname.
Variations of the surname Giacalone
The surname Giacalone is of Italian origin. Several variations exist, often due to regional differences in spelling and pronunciation within Italy. Common variants include Giaccalone, Iacalone, Jacalone, Giaclone, and even the contracted form Galone.
Surnames that are related through the root words or the meaning include Giacomo (the Italian form of James), Giacosa, Giacoia, and Giacomelli. However, these names have somewhat diverse meanings and might not necessarily indicate a familial connection.
Giacalone itself is a combination of the given name Giacomo and the Italian word 'alone', meaning 'large', suggesting a nickname origin like 'Big James'. Like most surnames, variations have likely arisen due to regional dialects, illiteracy (when names were written as they sounded), immigration documents, and anglicization over time.
It is important to note that while these surnames might have a common origin or similar spelling, without genealogical research, direct links between families with these surnames cannot be definitively drawn.
Famous people with the name Giacalone
- Joe Giacalone: former NYPD Sergeant specializing in homicide investigations and author of several books on detective work.
- John Giacalone: former mobster and associate of the Colombo and Gambino crime families of the Italian-American Mafia.
- Sam Giacalone: professional poker player who competed in the World Series of Poker and whose total poker tournament winnings exceed $2 million.
- Pat Giacalone: former teacher at the University of Turin, Italian sports commentator, and football manager.
- Mario Giacalone: the founder of the Goodfellas Motorcycle Club, a respected California biker club connected to the Hells Angels.
- John Colby Giacalone: leader of the legendary Philadelphia street gang, The Alvero Boys.
- J. Giacalone: voice imitation actor from the series South Park.
- Giusi Giacalone: Italian sculptor who has been creating bronze sculptures since the 1990s.
- Steven Giacalone: American composer and lyricist best known for the musicals The Pines of Rome and American Guitars.
- Emma Giacalone: actress and director who has starred in numerous television shows and movies.