Surname Dalli - Meaning and Origin
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Dalli: What does the surname Dalli mean?
The last name Dalli is of Italian and Maltese origin, traditionally linked to the island of Malta situated in the Mediterranean Sea.
The name is derived from the old Latin word Dallum, which refers to a person who had a house, farm or estate. The name has been spelled in various ways throughout the centuries, such as Dalll, Dall and Dalli.
During medieval times in Malta it was common for families to be known by reference to their estate and/or land. Consequently, various Dalli families have been traced back to having owned land in rural areas surrounding during the 15th century.
The surname has also been associated with the local Maltese tradition of intricate limestone masonry structures, Collicari, built as irrigation systems or reservoirs. As such, it could also be the root of the name Dalli that has been synonymous with hard work, artistic skill and engineering.
Historically, Dalli’s have held prominent figures and major roles in Malta's history; as officers in the knights of Malta, the first President of Malta, the King of Libyan, Priests and farmers of the island.
The Dallis’ are still prominent in Malta today and can be found in highest professional and business arenas whilst retaining the strong value the name endures – that of resilient labour, creativity and agricultural tradition.
Order DNA origin analysisDalli: Where does the name Dalli come from?
The last name Dalli is most commonly found in Malta, as it is a surname of Maltese origin. It derived from the Malta surname D'Alli, which contains the element ‘all’, meaning son of. Malta is the country where the surname is most prominent today. People with the last name Dalli can also be found in Canada and the United States, with a smaller population in Australia, Italy, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom. Furthermore, Dalli is the surname of some prominent figures, including Carmelo Dalli, the Maltese Mannerist painter; George Dalli, the former leader of the Maltese Labour Party, and Joseph Dalli, the ex-European Commissioner for Health and Consumer Policy.
Outside of Malta, the Dalli surname most commonly appears among the Maltese diaspora, who emigrated around the world in the 19th and 20th centuries. The Dalli surname is usually pronounced as "Dah-lee" or "Dah-lee-eez".
Variations of the surname Dalli
The surname Dalli is an Italian and Maltese surname of toponymic origin. It is derived from the place-name "Dalle," which is derived from the Latin word "Dalles" meaning valleys. It is also speculated to come from the Latin word "adal" meaning noble.
Variant spellings of the surname Dalli include Dolli, Dalley, Dally, Daly, and Dallay. Additionally, the surname can be found as dialectal forms in different languages such as, Dallo in Latin, Dalley in English, Dalli in Italian and Maltese, and Dálli in Norwegian.
In addition to the variants mentioned, surnames of the same origin include Dillon, Dillowney, Dullaghan, Dullaghant, Dullard, Dullen, Dallman, Dallon, Dakin, Daykin, and Dalley.
Some of the earliest records of the surname Dalli date back to the mid 16th century in Italy. They were found in the Italian states of Abruzzo, Lazio, Lombardia, Molise, and Veneto. The surname was also common in Malta, where it can be found in records since the 17th century. Similarly, it was also present in English and Irish records since the late 16th century. The variant spellings may also be found in Canada, Angola, Norway, Germany, Russia, or even the United States.
Famous people with the name Dalli
- John Dalli: Former Member of the European Commission, former politician from Malta
- Werner Dalli: 20th century American film producer
- Steve Dalli: Australian hundreds cricket player
- Carlo Dalli Cardillo: Italian film actor
- Tony Dalli: Scottish footballer
- Robert Dalli: American singer-songwriter
- Don Dalli: Maltese musician
- Paul Dalli: Member of the European Parliament, politician from Malta
- Samantha Dalli: International fashion model and designer from Malta
- Duncan Dalli: South African professional field hockey player