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 Pacelli Coat of Arms / Pacelli Family CrestThis Italian, French and Spanish surname of PACELLI was a nickname for a mild-mannered and even-tempered man. The name was originally derived from the Anglo/French word PACE, and rendered in ancient documents in the Latin form PAX (peace). Surnames having a derivation from nicknames form the broadest and most miscellaneous class of surnames, encompassing many different types of origin. The most typical classes refer adjectivally to the general physical aspect of the person concerned, or to his character. Many nicknames refer to a man's size or height, while others make reference to a favoured article of clothing or style of dress. Many surnames derived from the names of animals and birds. In the Middle Ages ideas were held about the characters of other living creatures, based on observation, and these associations were reflected and reinforced by large bodies of folk tales featuring animals behaving as humans. In Italy the name was used as a given name in the Middle Ages, and the Spanish and Portugese cognates were often assumed as translations of the Hebrew given name Shelomo, by Jews converted to Christianity; in other cases the name may derive from a title of the Virgin, Maria de la PAZ. The name has numerous spellings which include PACHECO, PAICE, PAYZE, PEACE, PAIX, PACHE, PACE, PACI, PASE, PACHOT and PASETTO. A notable member of the name was Francisco PACHECO (1571-1654) the Spanish painter, born in Seville. He was influenced by Raphael, and he painted portraits and historical subjects. He opened a school of art at Seville. He wrote a notable technical treatise 'Arte de la pintura' (1639). It was not until the 10th century that modern hereditary surnames first developed, and the use of fixed names spread, first to France, and then England, then to Germany and all of Europe. In these parts of Europe, the individual man was becoming more important, commerce was increasing and the exact identification of each man was becoming a necessity. Even today however, the Church does not recognise surnames. Baptisms and marriages are performed through use of the Christian name alone. Thus hereditary names as we know them today developed gradually during the 11th to the 15th century in the various European countries. |
