Surnames from plants and animals

     Another rich source of surnames is the plant and animal life of the Sicilian countryside.  Here are a few examples:

• Palmieri = Palm grower
• Noce = walnut grower
• Amendola = almond grower
• Cipolla = onion grower

and my personal favorite  

• Capone = castrated rooster (Don't tell Scarface!)

 

Captioned: Children buying prickly pears

(Although this old photo is from Polizzi, prickly pears are still eaten in Sicily.)