Changes

The '''Zuvela''' surname has strong roots originating from the western end of the island of Korcula in [[Croatia]]. Its original spelling was '''Xuvella'''. Another variation on the surname is '''Zuvella'''. In the Croatian language the Z in ''Zuvela'' is actually Ž. The ž is pronounced as J in French zh.   

The '''Zuvela''' surname has strong roots originating from the western end of the island of Korcula in [[Croatia]]. Its original spelling was '''Xuvella'''. Another variation on the surname is '''Zuvella'''. In the Croatian language the Z in ''Zuvela'' is actually Ž. The ž is pronounced as J in French zh.   

The Zuvela’s arrived on the west end of Korčula <ref>In Croatian the c in Korcula is pronounced ''ch'' and is written "'''č'''".</ref> in the early 1600’s and settled in a small field called '''Rasohatica''' (previously know as Rasohatija). There are still small remnants of stone huts there to this day. First time the surname ''Xuvella'' was mentioned was in Blato (previously know as Blatta) in a document dated 2nd of February '''1642'''.<ref>Vela Luka od 1490 do 1834 ''by'' Zvonko Maričić (p168)</ref> At the time, Korčula was part of the ''Republic of Venice'' within the Venetian Dalmatia province.<ref>John Everett-Healu. "Dalmatia." Concise Dictionary of World Place-Names. Oxford University Press. 2005. Encyclopedia.com</ref> From where the original Xuvellas migrated is still a mystery to this editor. The Republic of Venice did accept refugees and migrants within her boundaries during her long history. They came from all parts of [[Europe]]. Many of them were from Spain <ref>[http://books.google.com.au/books?id=K7oAAAAAcAAJ&pg=PA116&dq=history+of+dalmatia+Spain+Spalato&hl=en&ei=9oL1TK61LYmxcbzkqOYE&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=1&ved=0CC8Q6AEwAA#v=onepage&q&f=false Dalmatia and Montenegro:] With a Journey to Mostar in Herzegovina -Volume 1 ''by'' John Gardner Wilkinson (p116).</ref><ref>There is a theory that the Xuvellas were Spanish-Jews who were expelled in 1493 from Spain. From there they moved to Italy and then to the Republic of Venice. Referenced from [http://www.webanswers.com/arts-humanities/genealogy/surnames/what-is-the-meaning-and-origin-of-the-surname-zuvella-7479f2 www.webanswers.com]. Jew in old Venetian is abreo, '''xudio''' and sabadai. Xuàne in Venetian is John and Jovàni (j is spoken as in French Jardin). The Latin ''Iudaeus'' means Judaean, "from the land of Judaea". The closet city with in the Republic with a Jews population was Splato (modern Split). If this theory is correct it could be the Xuvellas were Conversos Jews or New Christians.</ref> as well as Christians from the Ottoman Empire which ruled the Balkans for centuries.<ref>[http://ukpmc.ac.uk/articles/PMC2121596;jsessionid=D7FB2EB2AF6E1C5733100CA2C94C626F.jvm1 The Land of 1000 Islands] ''by'' Igor Rudan Copyright © 2006 by the Croatian Medical Journal. All rights reserved.

The Zuvela’s arrived on the west end of Korčula <ref>In Croatian the c in Korcula is pronounced ''ch'' and is written "'''č'''".</ref> in the early 1600’s and settled in a small field called '''Rasohatica''' (previously know as Rasohatija). There are still small remnants of stone huts there to this day. First time the surname ''Xuvella'' was mentioned was in Blato (previously know as Blatta) in a document dated 2nd of February '''1642'''.<ref>Vela Luka od 1490 do 1834 ''by'' Zvonko Maričić (p168)</ref> At the time, Korčula was part of the ''Republic of Venice'' within the Venetian Dalmatia province.<ref>John Everett-Healu. "Dalmatia." Concise Dictionary of World Place-Names. Oxford University Press. 2005. Encyclopedia.com</ref> From where the original Xuvellas migrated is still a mystery to this editor. The Republic of Venice did accept refugees and migrants within her boundaries during her long history. They came from all parts of [[Europe]]. Many of them were from Spain <ref>[http://books.google.com.au/books?id=K7oAAAAAcAAJ&pg=PA116&dq=history+of+dalmatia+Spain+Spalato&hl=en&ei=9oL1TK61LYmxcbzkqOYE&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=1&ved=0CC8Q6AEwAA#v=onepage&q&f=false Dalmatia and Montenegro:] With a Journey to Mostar in Herzegovina -Volume 1 ''by'' John Gardner Wilkinson (p116).</ref><ref>There is a theory that the Xuvellas were Spanish-Jews who were expelled in 1493 from Spain. From there they moved to Italy and then to the Republic of Venice. Referenced from [http://www.webanswers.com/arts-humanities/genealogy/surnames/what-is-the-meaning-and-origin-of-the-surname-zuvella-7479f2 www.webanswers.com]. Jew in old Venetian is abreo, '''xudio''' and sabadai. Xuàne in Venetian is John and Jovàni (j is spoken as in French Jardin). The Latin ''Iudaeus'' means Judaean, "from the land of Judaea". The closet city within the Republic with a Jewish population was Splato (modern Split). If this theory is correct it could be the Xuvellas were Conversos Jews or New Christians.</ref> as well as Christians from the Ottoman Empire which ruled the Balkans for centuries.<ref>[http://ukpmc.ac.uk/articles/PMC2121596;jsessionid=D7FB2EB2AF6E1C5733100CA2C94C626F.jvm1 The Land of 1000 Islands] ''by'' Igor Rudan Copyright © 2006 by the Croatian Medical Journal. All rights reserved.

*"''However, the clashes between the Ottoman Empire and Venetian Republic produced extensive migrations from the mainland areas, especially from today's Bosnia and Herzegovina, to the eastern parts of the islands of Brac, Hvar, Korcula, and Pag.''"</ref>

*"''However, the clashes between the Ottoman Empire and Venetian Republic produced extensive migrations from the mainland areas, especially from today's Bosnia and Herzegovina, to the eastern parts of the islands of Brac, Hvar, Korcula, and Pag.''"</ref>

[[File:Croatia Rasohatica .jpg|thumb|left|350px|Rasohatica-One of the first stone Zuvela (Xuvella) houses on the island (1600s)]]

[[File:Croatia Rasohatica .jpg|thumb|left|350px|Rasohatica-One of the first stone Zuvela (Xuvella) houses on the island (1600s)]]

====Vela Luka Primary School - Osnovna Škola "Vela Luka" info & Mike Zuvella ====

====Vela Luka Primary School - Osnovna Škola "Vela Luka" info & Mike Zuvella From USA====

Below is information '''taken''' from the Vela Luka Primary School records. It mentions one ''Xuvella Giacobbo di Francesco'':

Below is information '''taken''' from the Vela Luka Primary School records. It mentions one ''Xuvella Giacobbo di Francesco'':

Three male names come up in my research that are not recorded as being born on Korčula (not registered ''via'' church records of births).  

Three male names come up in my research that are not recorded as being born on Korčula (not registered ''via'' church records of births).  

One being '''Antonio''' Xuvella who is not part of the Žuvela family trees but is mentioned in town documents. The oldest being dated 2nd of February 1642. <ref>Vela Luka od 1490 do 1834 ''by'' Zvonko Maričić (p168). It mentions '''Antun''' (Antonio) who is not part of the Žuvela Korčula born family trees (''or'' any family tree). This could indicate him as a Korčula island '''migrant''' arrival.</ref> Then we have '''Matteo''' Xuvella <ref> according to one of the '''Žuvela''' family tree Antonio was '''born 1651''' and is the son of Matteo. '''Matteo''' Xuvella is not part of the Žuvela Korčula family trees as '''being born''' on the island, this may indicate him as a '''migrant''' arrival.</ref> and finaly Cosma Xuvella. <ref>Info obtain via Zvonko Maricich's work. He writes  ''"…. or Ivan Zuvela son of the late Kuzme 22nd of December 1672"''. Ivan in Venetian Italian is Giovanni and Kuzme in Venetian Italian is Cosma. Kuzme was a witness to a contract being signed. Refernced from Vela Luka od 1490 do 1834 by Zvonko Maričić, page 168. Cosma Xuvella is not part of the Žuvela Korčula family trees as being born on the island, this may indicate him as a migrant arrival.</ref>  

One being '''Antonio''' Xuvella who is not part of the Žuvela family trees but is mentioned in town documents. The oldest being dated 2nd of February 1642. <ref>Vela Luka od 1490 do 1834 ''by'' Zvonko Maričić (p168). It mentions '''Antun''' (Antonio) who is not part of the Žuvela Korčula born family trees (''or'' any family tree). This could indicate him as a Korčula island '''migrant''' arrival.</ref> Then we have '''Matteo''' Xuvella <ref> according to one of the '''Žuvela''' family tree Antonio was '''born 1651''' and is the son of Matteo. '''Matteo''' Xuvella is not part of the Žuvela Korčula family trees as '''being born''' on the island, this may indicate him as a '''migrant''' arrival.</ref> and finaly '''Cosma''' Xuvella. <ref>Info obtain via Zvonko Maricich's work. He writes  ''"…. or Ivan Zuvela son of the late Kuzme 22nd of December 1672"''. Ivan in Venetian Italian is Giovanni and Kuzme in Venetian Italian is Cosma. Kuzme was a witness to a contract being signed. Refernced from Vela Luka od 1490 do 1834 by Zvonko Maričić, page 168. '''Cosma''' Xuvella is not part of the Žuvela Korčula family trees as being born on the island, this may indicate him as a migrant arrival.</ref>  

====The Newly Arrived Xuvella's Had Two Sons====

====The Newly Arrived Xuvella's Had Two Sons====

With the current records that are available I can confirm the newly arrived Xuvella's had two sons who were named Antonio Xuvella (b.1651)<ref>Matteo was ''given'' to him as as a middle name</ref> and Giovanni Xuvella which I have written here in old Venetian Italian.  

With the current records that are available I can confirm the newly arrived Xuvella's had two sons who were named Antonio Xuvella (b.1651)<ref>Matteo was ''given'' to him as as a middle name</ref> and Giovanni Xuvella which I have written here in old Venetian Italian.  

* Giovanni, year mentioned 1672 <ref>Vela Luka od 1490 do 1834 ''by'' Zvonko Maričić (p168)</ref>  (Ivan in Croatian)

* Giovanni, year mentioned 1672 <ref>Vela Luka od 1490 do 1834 ''by'' Zvonko Maričić (p168)</ref>  (Ivan in Croatian)

====Are all Zuvelas descended from these individuals ?====

====Are all Zuvelas descended from these individuals ?====

One has to ask, is it possible that the Zuvela families are all descended from the individuals mentioned above? It’s most likely true. We may also be looking at the original residents of  Rasohatica!

One has to ask, is it possible that the Zuvela families are all descended from the individuals mentioned above? It’s most likely true. We may also be looking at the original residents of  Rasohatica!  

The early Zuvelas were no time wasters. A Mr Antonio Xuvella in the 1640s was an owner of no less than 211 sheep. The Xuvellas moved to the near by village of Blato (then called Blatta) and bought houses and properties there.  

The early Zuvelas were no time wasters. A Mr Antonio Xuvella in the 1640s was an owner of no less than 211 sheep. The Xuvellas moved to the near by village of Blato (then called Blatta) and bought houses and properties there.  

For many centuries Romance Latin language called Dalmatian and the old Croatian Chakavian language were the norm on the island. With time these languages started to overlap. By the time the Zuvelas arrived on the island the majority of the population of the island of Korčula (in particularly the west end) spoke ''old Croatian'' <ref>Closely related to Chakavian of the 15th century. " ''..... Chakavian dialects of western Croatia, Istria, the coast of Dalmatia (where a literature in that dialect developed in the 15th century), and some islands in the Adriatic. In those areas...'' " '''taken''' from http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/104539/Chakavian</ref> with a heavy mix of the Romance Dalmatian language,<ref>''"Dalmatian language,  extinct Romance language formerly spoken along the Dalmatian coast from the island of Veglia (modern Krk) to Ragusa (modern Dubrovnik). Ragusan Dalmatian probably disappeared in the 17th century; the Vegliot Dalmatian dialect became extinct in the 19th century"'' '''taken''' from http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/150247/Dalmatian-language.</ref> and with influences of Venetian. So with time verbally Antonio would become '''Antun''' or Ante. Written language was a different story, Latin and Venetian were the standard written language back then so Antonio still existed in written form. It is quite possible that both verbally Antonio and Ante were used at first with Antonio slowly disappearing from local language. In 1797 the island of Korčula was no longer part of the Republic of Venice. The last Italian language government school was abolished in the town of Korčula on the 13th of September 1876.

For many centuries Romance Latin language called Dalmatian and the old Croatian Chakavian language were the norm on the island. With time these languages started to overlap. By the time the Zuvelas arrived on the island the majority of the population of the island of Korčula (in particularly the west end) spoke ''old Croatian'' <ref>Closely related to Chakavian of the 15th century. " ''..... Chakavian dialects of western Croatia, Istria, the coast of Dalmatia (where a literature in that dialect developed in the 15th century), and some islands in the Adriatic. In those areas...'' " '''taken''' from http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/104539/Chakavian</ref> with a heavy mix of the Romance Dalmatian language,<ref>''"Dalmatian language,  extinct Romance language formerly spoken along the Dalmatian coast from the island of Veglia (modern Krk) to Ragusa (modern Dubrovnik). Ragusan Dalmatian probably disappeared in the 17th century; the Vegliot Dalmatian dialect became extinct in the 19th century"'' '''taken''' from http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/150247/Dalmatian-language.</ref> and with influences of Venetian. This is in essence is the old Korčula dialect.

 

So with time verbally Antonio would become '''Antun''' or Ante. Written language was a different story, Latin and Venetian Italian were the standard written language back then so Antonio still existed in written form. It is quite possible that both verbally Antonio and Ante were used at first with Antonio slowly disappearing from local language. In 1797 the island of Korčula was no longer part of the Republic of Venice. The last Italian language government school was abolished in the town of Korčula on the 13th of September 1876.

Currently my thoughts on the actual word Xuvella as a surname might have been created (''or'' reinterpret) with the Zuvelas arrival on the island in the early 1600s, which signalled a new fresh start for the family.

Currently my thoughts on the actual word Xuvella as a surname might have been created (''or'' reinterpret) with the Zuvelas arrival on the island in the early 1600s, which signalled a new fresh start for the family.