This web site is dedicated to the legacy of the Palmisano family in New Orleans. In particular, this site focuses on the descendents of Giuseppe Palmisano and his wife, Angeline Maggiore, who decided to settle and raise a family on the alluvial soil of the banks of the Mississippi River in Southern Louisiana in the late 19th century after immigrating to the United States from the tiny island of Ustica, off the coast of Palermo, Sicily.

The Italian surname Palmisano can be traced to several origins. First, it is of toponymic origin, indicating that the original bearer was coming from the town of Palmi, in the region of Calabria and in the province of Reggio, at the extreme end of the peninsula, next to the island of Sicily. The inhabitants of Palmi call themselves "palmisani," and "Palmisano" must be considered a surname of ethnic derivation.

Another origin could be from the many places named Palma which are found throughout the south of Italy, but in particular in Sicily and Calabria. The surname can be also of local origin indicating someone who was residing close to a group of palms or who was making his living by working with palm trees.

Finally, the surname Palmisano could derive from the masculine personal name Palma, common in the late Middle Ages, and related to the "palm," seen as a Christian symbol of peace and of the victory of Christ and his martyrs and saints over evil.

Source: Historical Research Center, Family Name History



Giuseppe Palmisano
(1874-1963)

Maria Palmisano Maggiore
(1886-1976)

Rosa Palmisano Franzella
(1875-1964)

Rosalia Palmisano Rando
(1888-1957)

Antonino Palmisano
(1890-1976)

Antonina Palmisano Franzella
(1878-1937)

Salvatore Palmisano
(1892-1983)

Angela Palmisano Maggiore
(1880-1973)

Tommaso Palmisano
(1893-1973)

Francesco Palmisano
(1883-1968)

Margherita Palmisano Picone
(1895-1981)

Ceda Palmisano Faia
(1885-1968)

Bartolina Palmisano Maggiore
(1897-1963)

Fred Palmisano
(1902-1992)

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