Cultural Origins, Heritage and Regional Historic Recovery

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Anyone BELOW who wishes to participate in the program will receive complimentary research and free Y-DNA testing. 

The following surnames and Y-DNA test results are available for participants from Gessopalena, Guardiagrele, Casoli, Civitella Messer Raimondo, Prata, Roccascalegna, Lanciano, and Rome, Italy. Please note that some individuals have chosen not to be listed below, and their privacy is respected. DNA testing is a safe and effective way to conduct research and confirm your own family surname. It does not have any impact on your soul.

I am currently seeking volunteers interested in a comprehensive, free family history analysis. At this time, I’m especially looking for individuals with ancestry linked to Gessopalena and neighboring towns. Surnames of particular interest include Accettella, di Fabrizio, Lannutti, Iezzi, Mancini, Ciabotta, Di Lullo, and older Gessopalena names such as Paglione, Cucchiarone, Pucci (also spelled Bucci, Bucciarello, Jacobuccio, or Jacobi), Peschio, Camerino, Dragone, and Orefice (or Aurefice). 

For Casoli, I’m looking for Spinelli, Fiorentino, Greco, Creta, and Iannone. From Guardiagrele, I welcome anyone with roots in the area.

Remember, DNA is boundless—it transcends time and borders—so even if you don’t live in these towns, you’re welcome to participate as long as we can trace your ancestry back to these places. If you’re unsure, feel free to contact me, and I’ll gladly help you complete your family history journey.

And please don’t worry about exact surname spellings. Over centuries, notaries, priests, and others often recorded names with a surprising array of variations. I’ve collected a vast array of historical records and understand how common these differences can be!

Genealogical Overview of Surnames in Gessopalena and Surrounding Areas

1. Salamone (J-Z1297+)

Earliest Records: Paglione documents in Gessopalena (1580-1609); may also appear in Lanciano (1555).

DNA Origins: Preliminary BigY700 results suggest Balkan origin.

2. De Gregorio (a.k.a. Di Julio, Di Falco, possibly Hercolesse)

 Origins: Traced over 600 years in Gessopalena; name evolved from "de Julio" to "de Gregorio."

 Possible Ancestral Location: Originated in Bomba, Abruzzo (1500s).

DNA Analysis: Preliminary BigY700 suggests a Balkan origin; further testing in surrounding villages (Bomba, Altino, Archi) recommended.

 3.Melchiorre (J-Z1297+, Z631+)

Notable Individuals: Antonio Melchiorre (early 1600s), Nunziato Melchiorre (Archpriest of Gessopalena), Antonio Melchiorre (money lender).

Historical Records: Gaps exist, but both Melchiorre brothers connected in archives by late 1600s.

DNA Origins: BigY700 results suggest a Balkan origin.

4. Zinno (R-L51+)

Origins: Recorded lineage in Gessopalena.

5. Sambuco (R-S8172+)

   Earliest Record: Late 1500s in Gessopalena.

6. Cavaliere (R-M12149+, Big Y)

 Locations: Appears in Guardiagrele and Gessopalena.

Historical Significance: Early Y-DNA suggests possible Spanish nobility origin.

7. Tiberini and Larcinese Lineage (probably including de Berardo, Di Blasio, Pucci)

Documented Connections: Notary records (16th century) confirm connections between de Berardo and Di Blasio.

 DNA Analysis: BigY700 and YFULL analyses date divergence between 1300-1500 AD between two Tiberino and three Larcinese men.

Key DNA Markers: Demonstrate a common male ancestor 600 years ago. 

 Tiberini: J-BY200540

 Larcinese (de Larcenese, d'Arcioni/Arcene): J-BY200540 

The Larcinese family has deep historical ties to Gessopalena, where they held land and played prominent roles in religious and economic activities in Gessopalena prior to the 1700's. Documents from the 17th century reveal connections between the Larcinese (also recorded as de Larcenese, dell'Arcinese, Arcionese, di Larcionese) family and significant local religious institutions, such as the Benedictine monastery of Sant'Egidio and the Cistercian grange also in Valley Arcione. The family also managed mills, which were essential for grain processing, earning them the local moniker "Mulino."

These ties extend to the Celestine monastery of San Giovanni di Baptista in Valle Arcioni, where the Larcinese family held many parcels of land in the hamlets there. The Benedictines and Celestines established religious and economic footholds in this area, and the Larcinese family’s presence reflects a lasting connection to these monastic orders from the Benedictine stronghold (Arx, or Arce, Arcioni) in Gessopalena, to their holding in the Benedictine stronghold in Prata. The J-BY200540 haplogroup further underscores their unique and localized lineage within the region, linking them to the area's monastic and agrarian history.

 8. Cecchini (J-M267+, J-L1189+)

Recorded Lineage**: Traced back to the 1500s in Gessopalena.

9. Magnatte/Bozzi Lineage (J-M267+, J-FGC5230+)

Name Evolution: Originally "Magnatte," transitioned to "Bozzi" through aliases; found in Paglione notary records (1580-1609).

DNA Analysis: Currently undergoing additional testing and research conducted by a group in Haifa is noted.

10. Common Single Male Origins/ Lineages in Gessopalena:

Key Surnames: Turco (Turchi), Sirolli, Troilo, D’Orazio, Innaurato/Naurato, Persiani, (originally Leonello Persiani evolved like the others from a first name.) Caporella.

DNA Markers: J-M267+, FGC11+

Common Ancestry: BigY700 indicates these lines share a common male ancestor within the last 800 years, likely with Spanish origins.

Notes on Surname Evolution:

 Leonello to Persiani: Presiano di Leonello’s son Antonio adopts "Presiano," leading to the "Persiani" surname.

11. Other Notable Surnames:

Sambuco (R-Z49)

Pellicciotta (I-A427+): Wealthy lineage recorded in the 1500s.

Italiano (G-PF3378+): Recorded back to 1500s in Gessopalena.

D'Amelio (de Emilio) (J-M172)**

Tozzi/Tozzo (E-M35): Initially recorded in Abruzzo as Cervano and a localized name, Lamacuccio (modern day hamlet of della Pila), including Fossacesia.

Fara San Martino Lineages:

De Cecco (J-PH2725+): Likely of Jewish origin, with ancestral ties to northern Italy.

Lanciano Lineages:

Dell Bello (R-M269)**.

Palombaro Lineages:

   Di Yenno (Ienno) (J-M267+): Jewish Cohanim.

Roccascalegna Lineages:

Di Loreto (J-Z1297+, J-BY185356+): Money lenders in the early 1600s.

*Casalbordino Lineages

    Tiberio (E-M35)

Villamagna:

• de Cerchio (I-FTE84990, I-Y58965): The de Cerchio family originates from Villamagna, Abruzzo, with documented presence dating back several centuries. Recent Y-DNA analysis has revealed two closely related haplogroups within this lineage: I-FTE84990 and its downstream branch I-Y58965, which diverged from I-FTE84990 around 1750. This genetic branching reflects the early and deep-rooted heritage of the de Cerchio family in Abruzzo. Further testing across nearby regions could help trace additional branches and confirm links with other lineages in the area.

Extended Central and Northern Italian Connections**

   - **Arcioni/Arzoni Lineage (R-M269)**: Traced through Teramo and Rome with branches in Parma and Gubbio.

   - **Zeni (PF5456+)**: Likely origins in the Como area.

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