Malapartes

Malapartes is a surname of Italian origin. In Italian usage, the more common form is Malaparte, and the plural Malapartes may be encountered in English-language texts when referring to multiple people bearing the name. The etymology is typically linked to the Italian adjective malaparte, meaning “ill-tempered” or “bad-disposed,” a nickname historically applied to a difficult or surly person. Over time, such nicknames sometimes became hereditary surnames, carried by families in various regions of Italy.

Notable bearers and usage. The most widely known bearer is Curzio Malaparte, the pen name of Kurt Erich Suckert (1898–1957), a prominent Italian writer who adopted Malaparte as his surname. His novels include The Skin (La Pelle) and Kaputt, and his work contributed to the international recognition of the name. Beyond Curzio Malaparte, the surname appears among other individuals in Italian-speaking communities and among descendants of Italian emigrants, though none has achieved comparable literary prominence on a global scale.

Geographic distribution and variants. Today, Malaparte/Malaparte is found primarily in Italy and among Italian communities abroad, including the Americas and parts of Europe. Variants from regional dialects or transliteration practices may reflect local pronunciation and spelling conventions. The form Malapartes is mainly a plural usage in English-language contexts, referring to members of a family or group bearing the surname. The name remains associated with Italian heritage and, due to Curzio Malaparte, with 20th-century literary history.