SURNAMES IN ITALY

Nistico'

This form is a variant of the surname Nestico'.

Origin and meaning

The authors agree that this surname has a Greek origin. E. Rossoni notes that it would derive from a nickname based on the Greek word Νηστειας (nistekas), which means "fasting". P. Durante specifies that it is a personal name with the sense of "one who fasts", and adds that there is a Saint Ieiunius documented at Gerace.

Both variants —Nesticò and Nisticò— are typically Calabrian, proper to the Catanzaro area. According to Rossoni, Nesticò is concentrated especially at Sant'Andrea Apostolo dello Ionio, Soverato and Isca sullo Ionio, while Nisticò shows its greatest presence at Catanzaro and in localities such as Cardinale, Soverato, Badolato and Isca sullo Ionio.

Variants

Geographic distribution: Both typically Calabrian, of the Catanzaro area. Nesticò is specific to Sant'Andrea Apostolo dello Ionio, Soverato and Isca sullo Ionio. Nisticò is especially concentrated at Catanzaro and at Cardinale, Soverato, Badolato and Isca sullo Ionio (southern Italy)

📍 You can view how this surname is distributed in Italy: View distribution in Italy (Cognomix)

Comparative analysis based on 2 authors: where they agree, the hypothesis is strengthened; where they differ, the alternative interpretations are presented.

Sources

This entry of the Italian Surname Meanings dictionary is based on the following specialized onomastic sources:

  • Rossoni, E. (2002). Origine e storia dei cognomi italiani. Retrieved from https://www.cognomiitaliani.org
  • Bergamo, N. (2013, May 21). Impero Romano d'Oriente 330–1453 la sua storia. Retrieved January 19, 2021, from https://www.imperobizantino.it/