Pelos

This well recorded but rare, Italian name is a derivative of the Ancient Medieval descriptive 'Pellis', which translates as a maker of fur and leather garments. There are many different spellings including such well known examples as Pele, although this variant is also a nickname for one who shows his skin, a bald man. The English versions are Pell, Pells or Pellis, whilst the Italian also includes the patronymic 'Pelosi', the son of Pelos, this version being in fact the most popular spelling of the name. Unfortunately records in Italy are very erratic, many have been destroyed in war and as a result, recordings are much later than would generally be found with British names. Amongst the recordings are Lucia Pelos (son of Francesco) who married Maria Soranz, also at Gorizia, on January 22nd 1865. The first recorded spelling of the family name is shown to be that of Franceso Pelos (witness), which was dated April 12th 1845, The Church of Gorizia, Monfalcone, Italy, during the reign of Pope Gregory XV1, 1831-1846. Surnames became necessary when governments introduced personal taxation. In England this was known as Poll Tax. Throughout the centuries, surnames in every country have continued to "develop" often leading to astonishing variants of the original spelling.