The Ancient History of the Distinguished Surname De Ruvo

The area of the �Mezzogiorno� incorporates the southernmost regions of Italy which includes Puglia, Lucania, Basilicata, Campania and Calabria. This entire region of Italy is primarily agricultural, olives, tobacco, fruit and grapes are the main crops. The area attracts thousands of tourists each year. This region was, at different times in history, the Kingdom of Naples and part of the Kingdom of the Two Sicilies. Many of this region have their origins in Roman and Greek history.

It is from this diverse heritage, the surname Deruvo originates. During medieval times the area came under Lombard and Byzantine rule. The Byzantines came from the East. All regions experienced periods of unrest due to the provincial border disputes between the ruling nations of the day. During this turbulent time in the history of southern Italy, the surname De Ruvo emerged in Calabria a territorial district of Italy. Ancient Calabria was in Lecce. Modern Calabria is in the southern extremity of Italy costing the straits of Messina. Reggio and Messina are the cities of note. This beautiful region produces win, olive oil and fruit. Reggio was heavily bombed during WWII because of its strategical link with Sicily. 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 and of Norman extraction. They were described as a Norman Magna Domus. Serio o Sigerio Ruffo was Marshall of Calabria during the reign of Frederido II of Sicily.

The surname De Ruvo also has several variations within the lineage including Ruffo, Ruvo, De Ruvo, DeRuffo, De Ruffo, Di Ruffo, Ruffola, Ruffolo. These variations are due to a number of factors such as differences in local dialects which result in variations in spelling. Languages also change over the course of time and the different variations in surnames often reflect this change.

During the eleventh century, the Normans gained control of southern Italy. The Normans united their Italian territories when they took Sicily from the Saracens. At this time, the De Ruvo family was recorded in many regions such as Calabria where they were anciently seated. Pietra was Count of Cananzaro in 1235. Roggero, probably taking his name from the great Duke Roger of then Prince of Albavilla. They later branched north to Naples at Scalleta. In 1406 they were Barons of Berre. They also branched north to France in the Provence where they were known as the Ruffo Benneval. They also had extensive estates in Sicily. From their early beginnings, for the next few centuries, this illustrious 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.

By the end of the 15th century, southern Italy was known as the Kingdom of Naples, ruled by the house of Aragon. In 1501 Ferdinand of Castille reunited the Two Sicilies under one crown.

During this period, many calamities occurred. The most devastation was the Black Death in 1348 which wiped out over one third of the population of Western Europe. The famous Italian poet, Dante Alighieri, who wrote the famous Divine Comedy, also wrote the Decameron, a series of stories told by a group of people living in a mountain cave in order to escape the plague.

In the early eighteenth century, the Austrians took over and the region was ruled by the Austrian emperor Kales VI. Under the Austrians, the people were given at least some say in their own government.

However, in 1734, Spaniard Don Carlos defeated the Austrians, and the region came under Spanish rule once more. The Spaniards brought independence to the region and reforms in economic and governmental policy. In 1799, the French invaded Naples and in 1806, Napoleon�s brother Joseph took over the capital. Napoleon then made Joseph king, but this hold on Italy was not to last. In 1813 the Congress of Vienna restored pre-Napoleonic rule.

In 1815, Ferdinand of Austria became ruler of Naples and the kingdom of Sicily, thus reforming the Kingdom of the Two Sicilies. Under Ferdinand II, the Kingdom prospered. There was increased trade and industry. The following year, the kingdom joined the rest of Italy in the unification of 1861. Distinguished of the name during the middle ages was the Ruffo family of Calabria.

Members of the De Ruvo lineage arrived in North America during this period. Many settlers were recorded from the end of the 19th century in the great migration from Italy to the New World. Migrants settled in the eastern seaboard principally in the New York, New Jersey and Pennsylvania. The migration continued until the middle of the twentieth century.

Contemporary notables bearing the De Ruvo name or a variation, include many distinguished contributors to world culture, science and society including dignitaries who made significant contributions to society.