Christian name - Serafini

[joyse]

Hi

Can anyone tell me if the christian name Serafini or Serifino is common in Italy. The spelling has varied on different documents so I am not sure of how it should be spelt - is there a correct way?
Does it come from a particular area?

Thanks

Joy

[Incipit]

Hi,

Serafino is the correct spelling for the first name, and actually it's quite uncommon in Italy.

Serafini and Serafino are also two surnames (the first is more common, esp. in North and Middle Italy)

Regards
Tommaso

[Marisa6]

Hi Joy

I can't say if it is a common name throughout Italy, but there are many of both sexes in my family. The correct spelling for males is Serafino and for females, Serafina.

Marisa

[joyse]

Hi Tommaso

Thank you for your reply. I am pleased now that I know the correct way to spell it.
As it is an uncommon first name is it from any particular region?

Best wishes
Joy

[joyse]

Hi Marisa

Thank you for your reply as well. I hadn't seen it anywhere else so I thought it may not be too common but I wasn't sure.
Are you actually Italian?

Best wishes
Joy

[Marisa6]

Hi Joy

I'm a sort of strange hybrid fourth generation half-Italian Scot. My father is genetically pure-bred Italian, although he was brought up in rural Perthshire - not always easy with a name like Fortunato Serafino Marco Visocchi!! My mother is pure blond-haired blue-eyed Scot. A strange mixture How about you?

I have a feeling that Serafino is an older fashioned name. I think is is probably one of those religious things! My great grandfather had four brothers. His father obviously had high hopes for them as they were all named after the archangels. The oldest was Pietro, followed by Serafino, Gabriele, Michele and then Angelo! Hmm - I'm glad my Dad was a bit more conservative

Marisa

[Incipit]

Hi Tommaso

Thank you for your reply. I am pleased now that I know the correct way to spell it.
As it is an uncommon first name is it from any particular region?

Best wishes
Joy

I think it's more common in South Italy... not a region in particular.

Regards
Tommaso

[joyse]

Hi Marisa
My great grandfather (my dad's mother's father) was Italian. He and his brother came to England as young men. He married an English girl.
My mum's grandparents were Scottish from Dumfriesshire.

My grandmother's brother and my great,great grandfather were Angelo
so we have 2 names in common!

Genealogy is so interesting isn't it. Better than playing golf!!

Joy

[joyse]

Thanks Tommaso

I don't know where my relatives are from but I hope to find out!

Joy