Are these surnames the same name?

[Smitty]

In Caltagirone, I have seen a number of Nigido and Nigito families. In neighboring Mineo, there were once Nicito families. Are all these likely just spelling variations of each other, or are the "g" and "c" sounds too distinct for that to be the case? Just a question of curiosity. Thanks in advance.

[Jean Galata]

I have heard that in some villages people with common surnames, sometimes voluntarily change the spelling slightly just to distinguish between families.

[Italysearcher]

In the Italian language you pronounce every letter. In dialect these pronounciations are often 'slurred' leading to spelling variations even within the same family. Follow the trail, don't get sidetracked by this kind of thing.

[adelfio]

Check your family thats link to them

Marty

[Smitty]

Thanks, everyone, for the replies.

In the Italian language you pronounce every letter. In dialect these pronounciations are often 'slurred' leading to spelling variations even within the same family. Follow the trail, don't get sidetracked by this kind of thing.

I'm guessing this is one such case because I've run across even more bizarre variations before (Carobene/Carveni/Carve, for example). And you're right: The trail leads where it leads. You can't get too bogged down in spelling.