Prezioso
This form is a variant of the surname Preziosa.
Origin and meaning
The surname Preziosa is of anthroponymic origin and derives from personal names of an auspicious character such as Preziosa or Prezioso. On this point A. Bongioanni and E. Rossoni agree, noting that these names were used with an evident meaning of value and esteem, applied to much-awaited and much-desired children.
A. Bongioanni highlights its use as a feminine name, more frequent in certain cultural contexts, while E. Rossoni confirms its diffusion in the Middle Ages and its celebratory function. In this way, the surname reflects the transformation of a personal name of positive meaning into a hereditary surname.
Variants
Altered forms and derivatives
Geographic distribution: Preziosa: the Bari area (Bisceglie). Preziosi: the Avellino area and bordering areas of Foggia and Naples, the area between Rome and Frosinone, a specific pocket in the Perugia area. Prezioso: Lazio, Molise, Campania, Apulia and the Cosenza area. Preziusi: the Bari area (Minervino Murge) and Foggia. Preziuso: the Naples, Avellino and Foggia areas
📍 You can view how this surname is distributed in Italy: View distribution in Italy (Cognomix)
Sources
This entry of the Italian Surname Meanings dictionary is based on the following specialized onomastic sources:
- Bongioanni, A. (1940). Nomi e Cognomi. Saggio di ricerche etimologiche e storiche. Milano: Fratelli Bocca.
- Rossoni, E. (2002). Origine e storia dei cognomi italiani. Retrieved from https://www.cognomiitaliani.org