Ever since I was a boy, people always asked about my last name.  Was it Italian? Was it Arabic? Was it Israeli? Was it Syrian?  I always answered I was Italian because that is what I was told I was. I was confused about these questions and questioned my ancestor’s heritage beyond my grandparents.  

I knew by reading Sicilian history that many groups throughout history have invaded and controlled Sicily; Phoenicians, Romans, Greeks, Arabs, Turks, Normans and Spaniards just to name of few.  Maybe my name derived from one of those groups who settled in Sicily a very long time ago?