The origin of these surnames could be different depending on the different areas of diffusion that are Northern Italy, Tuscany Campania, Calabria and Sicily; Alfani has a stock in the Florentine, one in the Roman and one in the Salerno and Neapolitan, Alfano is widespread in Lazio and throughout the south, including Sicily. There are three hypotheses: the first that the surname derives from a Germanic term halfer (helper,); the second one derives from a topano Campano Alfano in the Salerno area; the third that would also have contributed to the origin of the toponym is Arabic, from the term al fannan (the wild ass). Alfana is also the name of a race of very imposing Arabian horses and Alfani could therefore be a reference to breeders or horse attendants of this breed. hypotheses provided by Aldo Piglia, Milan It could also derive from an equal name of person, I remember Sant'Alfano archbishop of Salerno, a name that is thought to date back to a Latin cognomen of the late Alphanus empire of uncertain origin. additions provided by Giovanni Vezzelli It almost certainly comes from the toponym Alfano (SA) for which we assume a derivation from the term * alfanus, perhaps Oscan form of 'albanus'. Others want it derived from the personal Alfius or gens Alfia.
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