Surname Ricci - Meaning and Origin

Navigating Through Time: An iGENEA DNA Test Unravels the Historical Canvas of the Ricci Lineage

I always had a hunch that my surname, Ricci, held a deeper connection to my roots than I could imagine. After undertaking an iGENEA DNA test, I finally uncovered the historical and geographical associations of the Ricci lineage, enhancing my understanding of my compelling family history spanning through centuries.

M. Ricci

Ricci: What does the surname Ricci mean?

The Italian last name Ricci has an interesting origin and meaning. Derived from a medieval Italian word, it means "curly," and likely originated as a nickname for someone with particularly curly hair. It is also derived from the Latin word ricius, meaning "rich," and may have been used to indicate a particularly wealthy family.

In terms of its prevalence, the surname is most common in Italy, where it ranks 13th in terms of popularity. It is also found in many other countries, including Argentina, Australia, Canada, France, the United States, and Peru.

The Ricci family has existed since at least the 15th century, when it was a prominent Florentine noble family. Its importance in the city dates back to the 12th century, where members of the Ricci family actively participated in the establishment of the Republic of Florence.

Throughout its history, the Ricci family has belonged to many varying social and political classes. Despite its progressive roots, it has often served as a symbol of wealth and influence in Italian society. For instance, Charles Ricci, an Italian aristocrat and military leader, was seen as a testament to the importance of the family in the eyes of the Italian ruling class.

In a more modern context, the Ricci family is associated with a variety of prominent Italian figures. Media mogul Silvio Berlusconi and fashion designer Valeria Ricci are just two examples of famous members of the Ricci family.

Overall, the Italian last name Ricci has a storied history and fascinating origin story. With its high prevalence in Italy and its association with influential figures, it continues to be a powerful symbol of wealth and power in Italian society today.

Ricci: Where does the name Ricci come from?

The last name Ricci is most commonly known today in Italy, the homeland of the Ricci family. It is a surname that has been around for centuries, linked to various families of noble lineage or prestigious citizenship. The Ricci family probably originated from the once powerful Italian city-state of Florence and its descendants have since spread across the country. In 2020, 2.1% of people living in Italy bore the Ricci last name, making it one of the most common Italian surnames, according to the Censimento 2020 data set.

The name has spread from Italy to the rest of Europe, South America and the United States, likely with the migration of Italians who moved abroad in search of a better future. Census data from 2018 in the United Kingdom confirmed this, showing that of the 512 households with the last name Ricci, 97.2% were of Italian descent.

Aside from the Italian descendants, other countries with a large percentage of Riccis are Spain and Argentina, the home of many Italian immigrants. In the United States in 2020, there were 9,482 people with the Ricci surname and the majority of them (61.5%) were of Italian descent.

In conclusion, Ricci is still a common last name in the countries of its origin, Italy, and countries with large populations of Italian-descent, such as the US, Argentina, and Spain.

Variations of the surname Ricci

The Ricci surname is a patronymic name derived from the Latin personal name Riccius, which means 'powerful'. Ricci is the most common variant of the name, but other variants include Riccio, Rizzi (the Italian variant), Ritz, Nyikos (the Hungarian variant), and Reit. Depending on the region, the name may also be spelled as Rici, Rhyce, Ryce, Rytch, and Reice. Surnames of the same origin include Riccitelli, Ricciardi, Ricco, Rice, Rizza, and Reisch.

Since Ricci is a patronymic name, it is common to find multiple people with the same surname within the same family, especially in Italian-speaking countries. It denotes a male ancestor in the family line, although it may indicate the female family head when the name has been shortened to Ric.

In addition to Ricci, many people have taken on hyphenated mutated surnames like Rebucci-Ricci, Riossi-Ricci, and Ricci-Fernandez. This may indicate mixed ancestry, blended families, or a union of two families. They may also be found in the form of given names such as Ricciardo, Riccardino, and Riccia.

The surname Ricci is most commonly found in Italy, but can also be found in France, Spain, and Portugal. It is also popular in other countries where Italian immigrants settled, such as the United States, Argentina, and Brazil. Many people with the surname Ricci are of Italian descent and have a long history as Italians.

Famous people with the name Ricci

• Christina Ricci: Christina Ricci is an American actress and producer known for her performances in films such as The Addams Family, Casper, Devil's Advocate, Sleepy Hollow, and Monster.
• Christina Ricci's father, Ralph Ricci, is an orthopedic surgeon.
• Robert Ricci, Christina's brother, is a film producer and former talent agent.
• Kelly Ricci, Christina’s sister, is a rock and roll musician.
• Lilli Ricci, Christina’s sister, is an actor and musician.
• Tammy Ricci, Christina’s sister, is an actress known for her work in She Son of Darkness and All-American Girl.
• Giovanni Ricci, an Italian football player and manager
• John Ricci, a Canadian heavy metal guitarist from the band Anvil
• Karen Ricci, American swimmer who won five gold medals in the 1984, 1988 and 1992 Olympics.
• Mark Ricci, American football player who played professionally for sixteen years in the NFL.
• Robert Mario de' Ricci, Italian cardinal of the Roman Catholic Church.
• Simonetta Vespucci, Italian woman of the Renaissance who was painted by Botticelli.

Other surnames

Riccio