Surname Delle - Meaning and Origin
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Delle: What does the surname Delle mean?
The surname Delle is a medieval Italian name that has origins in both Latin and French. It derives from the Latin ‘dellus’, meaning small valley or dell, and it can also have a French origin from the diminutive of ‘del’, meaning ‘small’ or ‘petite’.
Generally speaking, Delle was a popular name in Tuscany and other parts of Italy, and it is especially common in the south of the country. It is likely derived from a describing the family’s place of origin, with a variant spelling of Dell’Acqua. This would suggest the family was originally from a small valley or “dell” near a source of water.
The exact geographical origin of the name is difficult to track, as there may have been multiple locations from which the discarded ‘acqua’ became dropped from the name, resulting in the different modern spellings.
Delle appears to have been used in the Middle Ages with families living in the south of the country and could have been adopted by northern Italian families who had moved south for humanistic or economic reasons in more recent times.
In today’s world, Delle is a common surname in Italy, but it is also found in other parts of Europe, particularly due to emigration in the nineteenth and twentieth centuries. It is often associated with Italian culture, although there is some evidence that the same name exists outside of Italy.
Order DNA origin analysisDelle: Where does the name Delle come from?
The last name Delle is most commonly found in Italy, where it originated. It is also found in France and Spanish-speaking countries, with some presence in other areas of Europe. In the United States, the name is relatively rare, found largely in areas with Italian-American populations, such as New York, New Jersey, Massachusetts, and Pennsylvania.
The name is either a variant of the Italian last name Dell'Aria, which means “of the air” or a possible contraction of the Italian for “of”, “di”, and “elle”, as a feminine form of “el”, meaning “he”.
Thee are various related surnames, such as d'Elle, Delima, and DeLello. A direct translation of “Delle” would be “of them”, implying a larger group related to the family. The name is generally associated with members of the nobility, such as countesses and the daughters of powerful families or States.
Though most associated with Italy, the name’s presence around the world shows its ability to travel to, and become a part of, various cultures and societies.
Variations of the surname Delle
The surname Delle is a variant spelling of the traditional Germanic surname Döllinger, which in turn derives from the German root verb 'döll', meaning 'to fall from higher ground into a lower space'. This suggests the original bearer of the name may have come from an area with steep hills from which to fall!
In its various spellings forms, the surname Delle can be seen in areas where Germanic people have migrated, including the United States, Canada, Australia and many parts of Europe.
Variations of the surname Delle include Dollinger, Dollinger, Dolling, Döllinger, Dohe, Dohle, Dohlen, Dillinger, Dillinger, Dillinger, Dehe, Dehle, Dehlen, and Dele.
In the United States, some variation of the Delle surname emerged in other forms due to misunderstandings of language and spelling. An example is the surnames Dilling and Dillinger, which emerged from pronounciations of the original Dillingers.
In Australia, the Delle surname is often seen written as 'Daley', something which is thought to have been brought about by a change from 'Delle' to 'Delay' due to a stretched vowel sound and possibly shortened as part of a simplified variant.
It is possible for the name Delle to be translated into many different variations due to the mix of nationalities involved, as well as changes in pronunciation and spelling over time. If you are researching the surname Delle, it is wise to consider all variations of the name to ensure you have explored every possibility.
Famous people with the name Delle
- Emma Delle within the Democratic Republic of Congo as a singer and model.
- Erick Delle from the Ivory Coast, a former footballer who competed in two African Cup of Nations.
- Tanya Delle, an American actress and singer best known for her role in the film Saved!.
- Andreas Delle, a former German soccer player and manager.
- Pierre Delle, an award-winning French film producer and director.
- Fella Delle, a Swiss model and philanthropist who has worked with brands such as Bulgari Jeans and Paul Smith.
- François Delle, a Canadian comedian and actor who has appeared on shows such as Saturday Night Live and Sullivan & Son.
- Iniko Delle, the Democratic Republic of Congo's former Minister of Health.
- Jamila Delle, a Canadian swimmer who competed at the 2016 Rio Olympics.
- Bernie Delle, an American singer-songwriter, actor, and producer.