Sclafani is an Italian surname originary of Sicily.
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The Sclafani coat of arms is divided in half and bears two cranes facing one another, inversely colored in argent (silver) to signify peace, and sable (black) to signify jewels, specifically the diamond. An eagle is displayed with a count's crown of or (gold) signifying the family's noble heritage.
Crane - Vigilance, close parental bond.
Eagle - Person of noble nature, strength, bravery, and alertness; one who is high-spirited, ingenious, quick-witted, and judicious. True magnanimity and strength of mind. Wings displayed signifies protection.
The surname "Sclafani" is derived from the Greek "Aesculapii fanum," meaning "Sacred to the god Aesculapius," the Roman god of medicine. This implies the fact that the Sclafani family since its origins has been gifted in the field of medicine, and is verified by the presence of ancient thermal healing baths that still stand today in a city founded by the family, Sclafani Bagni. The Greek version of the surname Sclafani, "Sclavounos", can be located in the "Dictionnaire Historique et Généalogique des Grandes Familles de Grèce", a book which contains information about Greek nobility. The exact surname "Sclafani" can be found in the "Dizionario Storico Blasonico", an armorial of noble Italian family lineages.
Giovanni Sclifano was given a castle, Castello Megerio, and its territory by King William I of Sicily to show his gratitude for having Giovanni's support in the conspiracy of Matthew Bonello. A son of Giovanni, Goffredo Sclifano, founded a monastery in Lentini around the year 1185. Another Sclafani of historical importance is Matteo Sclafani, a powerful baron of the time who became the first Count of Adernò in 1303, and Count and Lord of Sclafani in 1330. Aside from being involved with the Knights Templar, he built many palaces and cathedrals throughout Italy including a magnificent royal palace in Palermo, Palazzo Sclafani (which later became an important hospital, today the Trinità military barracks), the monastery of Santa Chiara in 1341, the church of Sant'Agostino, and of S. Niccolò dell'Albergaria. He died in the year 1354, in Castle Pietrarossa, Caltanissetta. Due to lack of male heirs, some the family's fortune of that time was passed to the Moncada family.
Cities bearing the name Sclafani:
Sclafani Bagni
Official Site [1]
Height: 811 meters
Area: 135,06 km2.
Economy: agriculture, thermal station.
Population: 506
Population name: Sclafanese
Chiusa Sclafani
Official Site [2]
Height: 614 meters
Area: 58 km2.
Economy: agriculture, stock-breeding, timber.
Population: 3.302
Population name: Chiusino
Cities with a large population of Sclafani:
Sciacca
Official Site [3]
Height: 60 meters
Area: 191,0 km2.
Economy: agriculture, fishing, summer tourism, shipbuilding
Population: 40.240
Population name: Saccense
Palermo
Official Site [4]
Height: 29 meters
Area: 158,88 km2.
Economy: agriculture (citrus fruit, vegetables), industries, handicraft, commerce and trade, tourism, services.
Population: 686.722
Population name: Palermitano