Surname distribution and origin notes
Vassallo Surname in Italy
The family name Vassallo appears very common across Italy. It is held by 6,168 people across 667 Italian towns. The top towns are Palermo (557), Genoa (528), Naples (233). The strongest regional presence is in Sicilia, Campania, Liguria. Related variants include VASSALLI.
Origin notes
Origin and meaning
The surname Vassallo originates from several regions in Italy, with notable presence in Liguria and Piedmont, as well as Campania and Sicily. It derives from the medieval term 'Vassallus', referring to a free man subordinate to a king, a noble lord, or a bishop. Historical records from late 12th century Lombardy, including the Diplomatic Code of Lombardy, mention this title. Later documents, such as a 1340 pardon issued by Robert of Anjou to citizens of Montoro in Campania, also cite the name. In Piedmont, the surname is documented from the 17th century, notably linked to architect Vittorio Vassallo associated with the Counts Bruno of San Samone. This etymology and history differentiate Vassallo from the related surname Vassalli, which has distinct regional distributions.
Surname map
Distribution in Italy
Highest presence: Palermo
Vassallo Surname Distribution Map in Italy
This map shows the areas of Italy where the Vassallo 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Palermo | Palermo | Sicilia | 557people |
| Genoa | Genoa | Liguria | 528people |
| Naples | Naples | Campania | 233people |
| Imperia | Imperia | Liguria | 159people |
| Turin | Turin | Piemonte | 136people |
| Montecorvino Rovella | Salerno | Campania | 128people |
| Capaci | Palermo | Sicilia | 115people |
| Rome | Rome | Lazio | 113people |
| Altofonte | Palermo | Sicilia | 110people |
| Pollica | Salerno | Campania | 89people |
