Family history among inhabitants of the largest peninsula of the Adriatic Sea

Italianization of surnames
in Istria region

Genealogists interested in finding out genealogical data about inhabitants of Istria, the largest peninsula in the Adriatic Sea (now shared by three independent countries - Croatia, Slovenia and Italy), may find themselves in wonder.

Between 1918 and 1930, greater number of peoples (primarily Croats and Slovenians) living in that region were subject of a forced italianization by local Italian government authorities which particularly reflected in first and last name changes.

Criteria for the change varied from case to case. Sometimes, a perceived meaning of a surname in Slavic languages was a subject of a literal translation into Italian. Examples of that were surnames Goranc changed into Monti, Czar into Cesari, Ribarić into Pescatore etc.

If a surname didn't have a concrete meaning in the source language, it was italianized by phonetical change, shortening and prefix/sufix alteration. For example, surnames like Matulić, Mihaljević and Mudrušan were changed into Mattioli/Matiolli, Micagli/Micali/Micalli and Modrussani.

Italianization of Croatian, Slovenian, German and Hungarian surnames was so comprehensive that it is estimated that about 75 percent of all family names in that area didn't survive in the original form.

So, persons who perform a genealogy research of families from Istria should try to figure out if the change actually occur and if it did, they should find out what was the original form of the surname.

A comprehensive list of surnames in source form and their italianized counterparts can be found in the book "L 'identita cancellata" ("Deleted identity") by Paolo Parovel, published in Italy in 1985, then translated and republished in Croatia in 1993. under the name "Izbrisani identitet".

All articles from Croatian genealogy web site

Female given names as a motivator for Croatian surnames A matronymic surname would be typically created using a name of a women who particularly excelled in a community, or was famous because of some fortunate or less fortunate circumstance. Tidbits of Janeš family history available online Nenad Menićanin gathered valuable data from various sources on the meaning, geography and genealogy of his ancestors, and published his findings on the internet. A new book published on the history of the noble Jelačić family Pavao Maček, a prominent Croatian historian, introduced the book "Noble clans of Jelačićs" in Zaprešić City Hall. Herzegovian village of Hardomilje and it's clans The most prominent clans and family names in the area are Bandur, Boras, Bubalo, Ćuže, Gadže, Grbavac, Ilić, Jelinić, Kravić, Mandić, Miloš, Rupčić and Vukšić. Vučetić nobility from Brinje and Senj The first mention of the Vuchetich surname can be traced back to a certain Bosnian nobleman Pribislav and his last will written at the second half of the 15th century. (14 Mar 2010) Bosnia-Herzegovina, an important area for genealogical research for Croats Vital records kept in local Catholic parishes have always been crucial in claims of Croats in the area about their identity and history. Pitomača family trees researched An interesting work about genealogy of residents of the Croatian town situated between Đurđevac and Virovitica had been published on the internet. Slavonian settlements with a significant German population By 1931, in about hundred settlements in eastern parts of Croatia lived about 20 thousand inhabitants of Germanic origin. Aristocracy of the Republic of Ragusa One of the oldest and most prominent aristocracies in the Mediterranean region had developed in 12th and 13th century in Dubrovnik region. Visiting Croatia (2): Accommodation We continue our series of articles about the country and it's people for genealogists preparing to visit Croatia and do the research. 19th century census as a source of genealogical data The oldest census in the areas of today's Croatia was performed in 1785, but the most valuable one was done in 1857. Visiting Croatia (1): Transportation If you plan to visit Croatia to do genealogy research, our series of articles on transportation, accomodation, telecommunications and the culture may help you as you prepare for the trip. Croatian genealogists invited to contribute Several interesting new colaborative internet technologies were presented in Zagreb, Croatia to those interested in research of Croatian records. Hrastovac vital records available online Up until the end of the World War II the settlement also known as Eichendorf had been a vibrant society, mostly inhabited by Germans.

By their noses shall they be recognized
Lidija Sambunjak
professional genealogist
People who want their family trees to be researched come from all around the world and it’s no wonder every one of them is different. But as special as family Sadar was, none were before them. (11 Oct 2011)