There are two possible origins for this unusual name. The first derives from the pre 6th Century German "fel", meaning fur, skin or pelt, and as a surname is a metonymic for a furrier, or one who prepared the skins for wearing. The term and the surname is recorded throughout Europe, although in Britain the name could have the alternative meaning of one who lived on a fell. With Fellona the second possible origin is clearly European, and again it is a nickname, this time French, for a jailer, one who was responsible for "felons" and law breakers. If surnames were still being created in the 20th Century this surname, at least in Britain, would be "Screw". A Coat of Arms was granted in France, being a black lion rampant, guardant on a gold field. Recordings of the name include the following examples: Giovanni Felloni, who married Jane Weller at the British Embassy, Paris, on June 30th 1838, whilst on October 15th 1906, a Jean Fellonna married Louise Lapelltrie at Libourne, Gironde, France. Forms of the name include Fellini, Fellner and Fellman. The first recorded spelling of the family name is shown to be that of Dominico Fellina, which was dated July 1st 1699, marriage to Adam Abram, at Sarnonico, Trento, Italy, during the reign of Leopold 1, Holy Roman Empreor, 1658 - 1705. Surnames became necessary when governments introduced personal taxation. In England this was known as Poll Tax. Throughout the centuries, surnames in every country have continued to "develop" often leading to astonishing variants of the original spelling.

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