Bacciarelli Origins & Meaning

According to information from searches on the internet, the name and its variants were first discovered in Modena, anciently Mutina, a city in Emilia capital of the province of Modena.

In the great migration during the mid 19th century, many settlers travelled from Italy to settle in various parts of the world including France, England, Germany, Poland and the Americas.

My great grandfather was born in Gero, Lake Como, where his parents Antonio and Maria Bacciarelli (nee Dall' Orr), resided. I have not found a birth record for either of his parents in the area at time of writing and belive that their origins may have been in another part of Lombardy / Como or maybe further afield. Cousins from Giovanni Battista Bacciarelli first marriage reported that the children of this marriage spent some time living with their aunts in Milan, Italy after their mother Silvia Gardellor / Gardella passed away.

They had relations scattered thoughout Italy and the surname with this particular spelling is quite rare. My great-grandfather emigrated to England and it has been established by living family members that there are no longer any Bacciarelli's living in Gera. Some relations may have entered the UK at the same time, or emigrated to other countries.

I have recently discovered that my grandfather and great grandfather worked as waiters on ships for a while and visited the United States Of America several times so may have had relations there.

Although the surname is relatively unusual, there are still Bacciarelli's living in Italy as can be seen on this Map.

Spelling variations include:
Baccorelli, Bacarella, Baccorella, Bacca, Bacchi, Bacci, Baci, Bacetti, Bacciarelli, Baccini, Baccanale, Baccari, Baccarin, Baccarini, Baccaro, Baccelliere, Baccelliere, Baccino, Baccioli, Bacciotti, Bacciani, Baccianelli, Bacchini, Bacciocchi and many more.

Meaning of Bacciarelli:
The surname contains a clue, although, this is merely my own opinion! The similarity to Baccus the god of drink and merryment is evident, and unsuprisingly, several members of our family were farmers, restaurant proprietors, or worked in hotel and catering industries. Anyone who knows the true meaning or translation of Bacciarelli please contact me with details.

Back to Surname Origins Index