Vigliotti

Vigliotti
Ancient history
Many of the world's most noteworthy and respected families originated in the beautiful Piedmont region of Italy, and the Vigliotti family is one of these. The name was traced to its source in Piedmont, Piemonte, Pedemons, a territorial division of northern Italy at the foot of the Alps consisting of the provinces of Alessandria, Cuneo, Novara and Turin. Later Aosta and Vercelli were added and still later, Asti. History is related back to 49 B.C. The house of Savoy rose in 1000 A.D. In those ancient times only persons of rank, the podesta, clergy, city officials, army officers, artists, landowners were entered into the records. To be recorded at this time, at the beginning of recorded history, was of itself a great distinction and indicative of noble ancestry.
Spelling variations
Quite unlike surnames originating in other European countries, Italian names have undergone a surprisingly high number of changes. The resulting variations Vigliotti, Viglieti, Ghligliotti, Ghliglione, Vigliotto, Vigliotti, Biglietto and Ghligliettido, however, share the same origin.
Early history
Piedmont, situated in northern Italy, incorporates the Po Valley right up to the foothills of the Alps. This region forms the link between Italy and the rest of Europe, and this fact has led to its centuries of political stability. However, like the rest of the north and central Italy, Piedmont was attacked by waves of barbarian tribes after the fall of Rome. Between the 6th and 8th centuries, Piedmont was invaded by the Lombards and the Franks. After this period of barbarian invasions, Piedmont came under the control of the House of Savoy and simultaneously, became a part of France. Much of Piedmont was highly populated and numerous villas and castles were built that dot the countryside to this day. Since the region of Piedmont was based on the feudal system, there were very few cities or urban centers. The feudal lords owned vast estates and their land was developed by their serfs. In Piedmont, the feudal system survived until the French Revolution in the 18th century, which is much longer than in other areas of Italy. This exemplifies the close ties between this Italian region and France. The French revolution, which involved an uprising of the French working class against the feudal lords and the feudal system in general, caused the abandonment of this system in Piedmont. This region also incorporated the island of Sardinia during the time of French rule and created a large unified area which would have been strategically important for the French. Interestingly enough, since Piedmont was governed by the French for so many centuries, many of the areas of Piedmont are French-speaking or bilingual.
During the Renaissance and Baroque periods, Piedmont was primarily a military state and the Piedmontese army was exceptionally strong. Piedmont's defense and political structures were modeled after the German state of Prussia, and the region's military power and strength were
beneficial to the defense of both Italy and France. Piedmont was also important during the period of the Risorgimento, the main political movement which led to the unification of the entire country in 1861. At this time, the key political leaders of the Risorgimento were Count Camillo Benso di Cavour of Piedmont, Giuseppe Mazzini, and Giuseppe Garibaldi. Both Mazzini and Garibaldi were highly charismatic leaders and all three were influential in motivating the people to unite. Although he was a Frenchman himself, Cavour strongly believed in the strength of the Italians, and he also wanted Piedmont to be instrumental in the unification of Italy. The Vigliotti family originated in Piedmont where they were the lords of Battifollo. From their early beginnings, for the next few centuries, the family name also acquired other interests as branches of this fine old southern Italian family established themselves throughout Italy. Many were displaced by the many conflicts of the region, the economics, or better opportunities as they pursued religion, politics or acquired better estates. Matteo Viglietti was the senator prefect for the tribunal of Novara in 1822. In 1825 Matteo was a senator to the Senate of Piedmonte, and in 1840 King Carlo-Alberto gave to him letters of patent of nobility conferring the title of count for his descendants.
Early notables
Prominent among members of the family was the Vigliotti family of Battifollo in Piedmont.
The Great Migration
The most significant city in Piedmont at this time was Turin, or Torino, and because its chief function was defense, the city was heavily fortified. Today, Torino is probably the most significant industrial city in Italy and is an important automotive and textile producer. Possibly the most well known company in Torino is the Fiat auto company which employs thousands of workers. The wealth of this city contributes to the economic well-being of the entire region of Piedmont. Besides its industrial wealth, Piedmont is also recognized for its wine, the most well known of them being the sparkling Asti wine.
20th century settlers
• Andrea Vigliotti, aged 29, who arrived at Ellis Island from Cervino, in 1903
• Agostino Vigliotti, aged 33, who arrived at Ellis Island from S. Felice a Cancello,
Italy, in 1905
• Alfredo Vigliotti, aged 19, who arrived at Ellis Island from Frosolosa, Italy, in
1907
• Alessandra Vigliotti, aged 36, who arrived at Ellis Island from Bellana, Caserta, in
1909
• Angelo Vigliotti, aged 32, who arrived at Ellis Island from Maddaloni, Caserta, in
1909
Current notables
The settlement of the west began when the wagon trains headed across the Allegheny, creating the Ohio settlements. Later, the wagons pushed further west, before the railroads opened up a flood of western migration in the late 19th century. Well known bearers of the family name Vigliotti include
Introduction
In the feudal states of the Holy Roman Empire, that at one time encompassed most of eastern Europe, it was especially important to be able to identify enemies from allies because of the many conflicts that occurred there. A system of heraldry evolved that achieved this. It regulated what arms were borne, and allowed each of the Italian knights to be distinguishable from others.
Appendix - settler list
20th century settlers
• Andrea Vigliotti, aged 29, who arrived at Ellis Island from Cervino, in 1903
• Agostino Vigliotti, aged 33, who arrived at Ellis Island from S. Felice a Cancello, Italy, in 1905
• Alfredo Vigliotti, aged 19, who arrived at Ellis Island from Frosolosa, Italy, in 1907
• Alessandra Vigliotti, aged 36, who arrived at Ellis Island from Bellana, Caserta, in 1909
• Angelo Vigliotti, aged 32, who arrived at Ellis Island from Maddaloni, Caserta, in 1909
• Aniello Vigliotti, aged 1, who arrived at Ellis Island from S. Maria A Vico, Italy, in 1909
• Anicllo Vigliotti, aged 4, who arrived at Ellis Island from Ceronio, Italy, in 1910
• Alfonso Vigliotti, aged 18, who arrived at Ellis Island from Caserta, Cervino, Italy, in 1911
• Alessandro Vigliotti, aged 18, who arrived at Ellis Island from Cervino, Italy, in 1913
• Angela Vigliotti, aged 11, who arrived at Ellis Island from Maddaloniher Italy, in 1913
• Angelo Vigliotti, aged 24, who arrived at Ellis Island from Cervino, Italy, in 1913
• Angelo Vigliotti, aged 44, who arrived at Ellis Island from Ceronio, Italy, in 1916
Notable achievements in arts and sport
*Soccer Player Ray Vigliotti

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