Surname Ancestry

[darkerhorse]

This is a list of surnames from Siracusa Province in Sicily dating back to the 18th century.

I'm interested in whether anyone, using a paper trail and/or DNA testing, has found non-European ancestry for any of these surnames (including variant spellings), especially North Africa and the Middle East, with family connections to Siracusa Province.

I suppose it would also be helpful if you've documented thoroughbred European ancestry for any of these surnames (including variant spellings) tied to Siracusa Province, as it would eliminate them from contention.

They all appear to be typical Italian names, with few exceptions like Crave', Velles, and Xianna.

Alfonso
Arana
Bellabono
Bellomia
Briganti
Buccheri
Cairone
Calafiore
Carta
Coppo
Crave'
Cucia
Cullerella
D’Alfonso
DiMauro
Gallitto
Germano
Gervasi
L’Appostato
Lastrina
Lavastro
Lavore
LoGiudice
Marchese
Martello
Morello
Motta
Nicosia
Pagano
Paravizzini
Pitruzzello
Pizzo
Pizzuto
Polizzi
Salafia
Spada
Rinaldo
Velles
Vicchito
Versaggi
Xianna

[MarcuccioV]

Not to change your subject, but 2 of the names jumped out at me. "Spada" was my best friend's grandmother's maiden name -- she was from Mezzojuso, close to Palermo.

"Pizzuto" is very close to a name on MY family tree of "Pizzuti". I have yet to research it fully but both versions seem to have Roman origins...

"Marche" seems geographic to the NE region of the same name...

[darkerhorse]

I assume Pizzuto and Pizzuti are variant spellings of the same name.

The Marchese in question were large landowners at one time.

[darkerhorse]

Alfonso and D'Alfonso seem to be used interchangeably.