Di Maggio is an Italian surname derived from the medieval personal name Maggio, originally given to children born during the month of May. In Christian tradition, May was especially associated with devotion to the Virgin Mary, which contributed to the popularity of the name.

Origin and Development

According to E. Rossoni and F. Miranda, the surname originates from the medieval given name Maggio, which was commonly bestowed upon children born in May. The name reflects a calendar-based naming tradition that was widespread throughout medieval Europe.

F. Miranda notes that the surname may also have been assigned to foundling children born during that month. In some institutions caring for abandoned children, names linked to months, feast days, or religious celebrations were often used as identifying surnames.

The surname belongs to a broader family of related forms that developed through regional dialects and spelling variations, including Maio, Majo, and Maggio.

Distribution in Italy

E. Rossoni identifies the main areas of distribution as follows:

• Di Maggio – Lazio, Puglia, Sicily, and the Naples area.
• Di Maio – Campania, Molise, Lazio, and western Sicily.
• Di Majo – Especially concentrated in the province of Palermo.

F. Miranda notes that the surname family is widespread throughout Italy, with significant presence in:

• Sicily
• Puglia
• Lazio
• Lombardy
• Piedmont
• Campania
• Tuscany
• Liguria
• Veneto

Within Sicily, the surname is particularly common in the provinces of Palermo, Catania, Messina, Agrigento, Trapani, and in the inland area of Enna.

Summary

Di Maggio is a patronymic surname derived from the medieval name Maggio, traditionally given to children born in the month of May, a month closely associated with the Virgin Mary in Catholic devotion. In some cases, it may also have been assigned to foundling children born during that period. Today the surname is especially widespread in southern Italy and Sicily, alongside related forms such as Di Maio and Di Majo.