What's In a Name?

[darkerhorse]

This is a Riveli record for Sebastiano Pitruzzello in two pages from the 1811 volume for the town of Melilli in Siracusa Province. I thought he was a resident of Melilli, Sicily but now I wonder.

At the top of page a, he is referred to as "di Metti" (of Metti).

At the bottom of page b, the clerk identifies the location as "Melilli"(the name of the town).

I'm not aware of any town in Sicily named Metti nor am I aware of Metti as a nickname for Melilli. In local dialect, the residents call the town "Miliddi" but not "Metti" as far as I know.

I'm wondering whether Metti is related to "mettere" (to place), and just means resident of this place.

I've seen a few other records in this Melilli 1811 volume with the same reference to Metti.

Any ideas?

[PippoM]

I think what we read as "Metti", might be "Mel(il)li", with an upper abbreviation mark that crosses the l's.
I mean, a mark like in the words M(aest)ro or Terr(itor)io that you can read lower in the same page.

[darkerhorse]

I suppose that could be the case. Perhaps the l's are crossed when the i is dotted?

I have some other records signed on the same date by the same official. All but a couple have the full name Melilli in all places. The ones that have Metti at the top have the full name Melilli at the bottom.

I thought Metti might be a neighborhood in the town of Melilli but the word for neighborhood is never used. The phrase "terr- di Metti- " (with dashes that might suggest abbreviation) is used in one record. I guess terr- could mean land, territory or estate of Metti.

I'm sure the records are for properties in Melilli, and knowing that is the most important thing.