posted 02-26-2005 07:05 AM            

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Hm!
Just had a quick look at www.familysearch.com

There are, as you say, many spelling variations of the name. And if you think it had an Italian connection, I would say North-East Italy with that name. That type of name would seem to have German or Austrian roots.
That is why it as changed to its present form over the years. There are also probably many branches of the name which are not connected.
So proving which line is yours would only be the result of much hard work.
Although it is common in the U.K. A look will show you that it is centered in just a few area's. Yorkshire, in the north-west, is a very strong centre.
Linking to a castle may prove easy somewhere in Europe. But would it be your family line?
Peter