This Italian surname of ARNONE is of the baptismal group of surnames meaning 'the son of Arnold'. The name was derived from the Germanic elements meaning 'EAGLE' and 'RULE'. Its popularity in the Middle Ages is shown by its frequent use as a surname. The origins of Italian surnames are not clear, and much work remains to be done on medieval Italian records. It seems that fixed bynames, in some cases hereditary, were in use in the Venetian Republic by the end of the 10th century. The typical Italian surname endings are 'i' and 'o', the former being characteristic of northern Italy. The singular form 'o' is more typical of southern Italy. The name is also spelt ARNHOLD, ARNOLL, ARNOLD, ARNAUDIN and ARNISON to name but a few. The name was brought into England in the wake of the Norman Invasion of 1066 and records of the name mention ERNWI (without surname) who appears in London in 1150, and Peter Erne was recorded in the year 1243 in County Somerset. A notable member of this name was Thomas Augustine ARNE (l7l0-l778) the English composer born in London and educated at Eton (England). His father, an upholsterer intended him for the Bar but he became skilful as a violinist. His zeal induced his sister, the actress Mrs.Cibber, to cultivate her excellent voice. He wrote for her a part in his first opera "Rosamond" in l733. He married a singer, Cecilia Young in l736 and after a successful visit to Ireland was appointed composer to Drury Lane Theatre in London, for which he composed the famous settings of Shakespearean songs, "Under the Greenwood Tree" "Blow Blow Thou Winter Wind" etc. His son Michael (l740-l786) was also a musician and composer, remembered for his song "The Lass with the Delicate Air". It was not until the 10th century that modern hereditary surnames first developed, and the use of fixed names spread, first to France, and then England, then to Germany and all of Europe. In these parts of Europe, the individual man was becoming more important, commerce was increasing and the exact identification of each man was becoming a necessity. Even today however, the Church does not recognise surnames. Baptisms and marriages are performed through use of the Christian name alone. Thus hereditary names as we know them today developed gradually during the 11th to the 15th century in the various European countries.