Riccio Surname in Italy

The surname Riccio originates from nicknames referring to physical features of the ancestor, such as having curly hair, or from medieval personal names like Ricciarellus, documented in the 13th century in Montieri (SI) with a Ricciarellus Caligarie. Riccio is widespread throughout peninsular Italy, with a main concentration in Campania. Related variants have distinct regional origins: Riccelli is linked to the province of Catanzaro; Riccetti, very rare with multiple lineages, appears near Pisa and Livorno, as well as in the Ancona, Teramo, and Cosenza areas; Ricci is very common nationwide; Ricciarelli is of Tuscan-Umbria origin, especially in the provinces of Pistoia and Perugia; Ricciarello is nearly unique. These surnames reflect historical and geographic diversity in their roots and distribution.