Surname distribution and origin notes
Salis Surname in Italy
By current distribution, Salis is very common in Italy. It is held by 3,634 people across 307 Italian towns. The top towns are Sassari (419), Alghero (242), Cagliari (196). The strongest regional presence is in Sardegna, Lazio, Piemonte. Related variants include SALE.
Origin notes
Origin and meaning
The surname Salis originates from Sardinia, likely from the Nuoro area but widely spread across the island. It derives from a nickname connected to the Latin word "sal, salis" (salt), probably referencing ancestral involvement in salt extraction or trade. The linguistic roots appear in Sardinian words such as "sali" or "sabi" meaning salt, while "salìu" or "sabìu" describe something salty, the opposite of bland. Verbs like "salì(ri)" or "sabì(ri)" mean to salt, and terms such as "salèra" or "sabèra" refer to a salt cellar, also found in Catalan. Historical records note bearers of the name signing the Peace of Eleonora in 1388 across various Sardinian villages, and the surname also appears in the San Michele of Bonarcado condaghe. Today, Salis is present in many Sardinian municipalities, confirming its deep-rooted distribution on the island.
Surname map
Distribution in Italy
Highest presence: Sassari
Salis Surname Distribution Map in Italy
This map shows the areas of Italy where the Salis surname is more or less present. Warmer colors indicate stronger presence, while cooler colors indicate lighter presence.
Italian towns with the highest presence
| Town | Province | Region | People |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sassari | Sassari | Sardegna | 419people |
| Alghero | Sassari | Sardegna | 242people |
| Cagliari | Cagliari | Sardegna | 196people |
| Selargius | Cagliari | Sardegna | 175people |
| Oliena | Nuoro | Sardegna | 148people |
| Rome | Rome | Lazio | 115people |
| Quartu Sant'Elena | Cagliari | Sardegna | 63people |
| Iglesias | 61people | ||
| Sant'Antioco | 58people | ||
| Oristano | Oristano | Sardegna | 57people |
