Paciani

Paciani is an Italian surname. It is generally considered a patronymic surname derived from the given name Paciano, or from the Latin personal name Pacianus, which was borne by late antique and medieval figures in Italy. The -ani suffix is a common Italian element used to form family names meaning “descendants of” or “the family of,” so Paciani would historically signify a lineage connected to Paciano or Pacianus.

Etymology and origins are linked to the broader Latin name Pacianus, which itself may be connected to the root pac- meaning “peace.” The name Pacianus has appeared in early Christian texts, and Paciano or Paciano-like forms were used in various Italian regions. Over time, Paciani emerged as a distinct surname in local records, especially in central Italy.

Geographic distribution and demographics indicate that Paciani has been most common in central Italy, with historical concentrations in regions such as Tuscany and Umbria. As with many Italian surnames, families bearing Paciani later dispersed to other parts of Italy and abroad, particularly during periods of migration in the 19th and 20th centuries.

Notable people with the surname Paciani are not widely documented in major reference works. The name is primarily encountered in genealogical and regional records within Italy and in Italian diaspora communities. See also Paciano, a comune in Umbria, and Pacini, a related but distinct surname.