Surname Golia - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'G'
Golia: What does the surname Golia mean?
The last name Golia is an Italian surname originating from the region of Molise in south central Italy. It is derived from the medieval term “golia” meaning “scythe”, and it is believed to be of Norman origin. The term was used to refer to a kind of broad-bladed agricultural instrument used to harvest wheat.
Golia is a relatively uncommon name, but its variants have become more widespread over the centuries, including expressions such as Goli, Golia, and Golli. The Golia family itself has a long history in the region, and its members are remembered for their contributions to the area’s economics, politics, arts, and culture.
Today, there is a small village outside of the city of Termoli, in the region of Molise, which is called Santa Maria Golia, honoring the Golia family which descended from the region. It is believed that the name Golia also appears on some ancient documents and artifactswidelyü, indicating that the family has been around for centuries.
In modern times, the Golia surname is still strongly associated with the region of Molise. It is a reminder of the hard work, determination, and dedication of those in the family who have gone above and beyond to make Molise the great place it is today.
Order DNA origin analysisGolia: Where does the name Golia come from?
The last name Golia is most commonly found in modern times amongst Italian and Sephardic Jewish populations. In Italy, Golia became a family name primarily in and around the central part of the country in the 14th-15th centuries. During this time, the name was brought to Italy from Spain by the Sephardic Jewish community, so it can be found in various Italian regions. In modern-day Italy, the Golia family name is found mainly in the small towns of Campania, Calabria, Basilicata, Molise, Abruzzo, and Sardinia.
The Golia surname can also be heard throughout the Jewish diaspora, particularly amongst the Jews who were expelled from Spain and Portugal in the 15th and 16th centuries. Sephardic Jews brought the Golia surname to countries like Turkey, the United States, and Israel. Olia (or Golia) is a common Sephardic Jewish surname today in Israel, particularly in Ashkenazi Jewish communities since many Sephardic Jews intermarried with Ashkenazi Jews in the past. The same is true in the United States and other countries where Ashkenazi and Sephardic Jews have lived side by side for centuries.
All in all, the Golia surname has experienced significant global expansion since its 14th-15th century roots in Italy. Today, it is commonly found in Sephardic Jewish populations around the world, and has also become a familiar name amongst Ashkenazi and other Jewish communities.
Variations of the surname Golia
The surname Golia has a number of variants and spellings all over the world. Some of the most common variants and spellings of Golia include Goli, Golida, Golio, Gholey, Golier, and Goliah. The spelling and the surname also vary across languages and countries, with some of the more notable examples being: Galia in Spanish, Gali in Italian, Golla in Polish, and Goyla in Hindi.
The surname Golia can also be found in other forms in many different countries. In Germany and Austria, it can be seen spelled as Golla, Gaula or Gholla; in Romania as Ghulea or Ghulie; and, in India as Gehlot or Gollu.
The surname Golia can also be found in countries such as England, Canada, Australia and the United States with spelling variations such as Gilia, Gillia, Glia and Golian. In addition to this, the surname can also take on different first letter combinations with the I sound, such as: Jolia, Jollia, and Jolley.
All of these widely varied spellings of the surname Golia point to it being an old name with a rich history, which is thought to have origins tracing back to the ancient Middle East or the eastern Mediterranean.
Famous people with the name Golia
- Daniele Golia, Italian professional basketball player.
- Alexandra Golia, Icelandic ice hockey player.
- Joe Golia, American photographer and filmmaker.
- Eleonora Golia, Italian retired road cyclist.
- Pio Golia, a popular Italian rapper in the 2000s.
- Neeraj Golia, an Indian-born Canadian businessman.
- Oddo Golia, an Italian painter who was active in the 17th century.
- Ivo Golia, a Belgian football player who played in the late 1940s.
- Dominik Golia, a Slovak professional football player.
- Emanuele Golia, an Italian figure skater who competed in the 2006 Winter Olympics.
- Marco Golia, an Italian retired footballer who played in the 1980s and ’90s.
- Stelio Golia, an Italian football manager who managed several clubs in the 2000s.
- Stefano Golia, an Italian composer and conductor who has won several awards.
- Angelo Golia, an Italian former volleyball player who competed in the 1960s.
- Matteo Golia, an Italian entrepreneur who is the head of Golia Ventures.
- Luca Golia, an Italian actor who is best known for his role in the Italian TV series Non e mai troppo tardi.
- Gerry Golia, an American businessman who serves as the Chairman of the Board of Omega Global.
- inspector Salvatore Golia, a unique character in the Italian Oscar-winning movie La vita e' bella.
- Michele Golia, an Italian historian and author who specializes in the Renaissance period of Italian history.
- Mike Golia, an American artist and educator who is a professor in the School of Arts at the University of La Verne.