German or Brother?

[darkerhorse]

In the 1700s there was a family with the surname "Germano" living in Sicily. It wasn't a very common surname.

Of course, the word "Germano" reminds you of the word "German" so perhaps they were originally from Germany.

However, I know that "Tedesco" is the common word in Italian for the nationality we call German.

Moreover, I discovered that the Latin word "germanus" means brother. Perhaps the same root as the word "germinate"?

Which is the more likely derivation for the family name "Germano" living in the 18th century in Sicily? German or brother?

Or, is there a better alternative?

[PippoM]

Germano is also a person name, from the various saints who had such name.

[darkerhorse]

Anyone else?

[AngelaGrace56]

It is quite possible that "Germano" began as a foundling name. It was up to the Official to name babies that had been found and anything went really. Some of the names given are very interesting. Maybe research the name Germano, place it in inverted commas like I have done and alongside use some of the words given for foundlings. e.g. trovatello
There are so many different titles given to children who were abandoned/found. I have a knock at the door so will leave to you. Good luck.

Angela

[MarcuccioV]

My guess would be "brother" over "German". Especially since "Hermano" is brother in Spanish/Portuguese.

My grandmother would sometimes refer to the "Germanesi" (she never used "Tedeschi"), but her dialect/speech was so screwed up after she came to the US it's not even funny...

[darkerhorse]

It is quite possible that "Germano" began as a foundling name. It was up to the Official to name babies that had been found and anything went really. Some of the names given are very interesting. Maybe research the name Germano, place it in inverted commas like I have done and alongside use some of the words given for foundlings. e.g. trovatello
There are so many different titles given to children who were abandoned/found. I have a knock at the door so will leave to you. Good luck.

Angela

That's one I hadn't considered. The person in question lived in Sicily in the 1700s so it's next to impossible to research.

[darkerhorse]

My guess would be "brother" over "German". Especially since "Hermano" is brother in Spanish/Portuguese.

My grandmother would sometimes refer to the "Germanesi" (she never used "Tedeschi"), but her dialect/speech was so screwed up after she came to the US it's not even funny...

I tend to agree that brother is the mist likely origin.

[darkerhorse]

I was just wondering if there was German heritage, which is why I asked.

[MarcuccioV]

I was just wondering if there was German heritage, which is why I asked.

I know. I would think they would use a form of Tedeschi over Germano. But it's just my opinion...

[MarcuccioV]

I believe by your posts you haven't done any of the DNA autosomal tests yet. Was Germano a relative..? Your ethnic results might (or might not) shed some light, but those are your private affairs. Just trying to help.

[darkerhorse]

The Germano family in question has been living in Sicily since at least the 1700s (and probably much longer) so they are, in effect, Sicilian. I was just wondering if they could have come to Sicily from Germany, but as been said Germano more than likely refers to brother (or a saint).

Yes, Germano comes into my family tree seven generations back. No one in my immediate family has had DNA tests. Some 2nd and 3rd cousins have. I could check with them, but we don't share that much DNA to begin with.

[MarcuccioV]

I suppose it could go either way. DNA probably wouldn't help going back quite that far (it's possible it could appear as a trace ancestry). Since "Tedesco" IS a known Italian surname (Germano as well), it makes it all the more confusing.

It was one of the reasons I listed "Hermano" from the Spanish -- it could just as well have come from Spanish origins...