Vicari

Vicari is a term that occurs as a surname and as a toponym in Italian-speaking regions. In onomastics, Vicari is an Italian surname derived from vicario, indicating a family origin associated with a deputy or vicar, a role in ecclesiastical or civil administration. The surname is found in Italy and among Italian diaspora communities.

Vicari also appears as a place name in some locations in Italy. Such toponyms typically reflect historical ties to a church or secular office headed by a vicar, or to a landholding associated with a vicariate. The exact origin of individual place names bearing Vicari can vary by region.

In religious contexts, vicari (plural form) or vicariate terms refer to deputies or substitute authority within church hierarchies. Historically, vicars acted as representatives of bishops in administering parishes or other church jurisdictions. The term appears in Latin and in Romance-language usage when describing ecclesiastical offices.

Because Vicari can refer to multiple unrelated topics, it is sometimes used in disambiguation pages to direct readers to more specific articles about people with the surname Vicari, particular places named Vicari, or ecclesiastical vicariates. The lack of a single dominant meaning means context is important for interpretation.

Notes: The spelling Vicari is distinct from Vicario or Vicarius, which are related forms in Italian and Latin respectively.