This Italian surname of AMODIO was originally derived from the given name AMADEO, which was coined in the early Middle Ages from the elements AMA (love) + DEO (God). This was the name of two 12th century Burgundian nobles, father and son, who became Cistercian monks, and their fame led to the popularity of the name. Other spellings include AMADEUS, ADADEI, AMADI, AMADDEI, AMADDIO, AMEDEI, AMMODDEO, AMODDIO, MADDEI, AMADIEU, AMEDEE, AMADE and AMADINI. For the majority of peoples, the main sources of names have been the traditions of the various Germanic tribes of Northern Europe, and the names introduced by the Church, perhaps Hebrew names of the Old Testament, or Greek and Roman names of the New Testament and saints. Many names were brought over to England by the invading Anglo-Saxons, a mixed collection of people from various Germanic tribes, speaking various dialects which were called Old English. Notables of the name include AMADEUS VI called 'The Green Count' (1334-83) ruler of Savoy, born in Chambery. He succeeded in 1343, founded the Order of the Annunziata and, added Vaud to the possessions of Savoy. Jorge AMADO, born in 1912 is the Brazilian novelist. His early fictions are pervaded with social and political themes. He was imprisoned for his political beliefs in 1935, and latterly spent several years in exile, though he was a communist deputy of the Brazilian parliament from 1946 until 1947. His first novel 'A Pais de Carnaval' was written in 1932. As the agricultural depression of southern Italy worsened towards the end of the 19th century, people began to escape to the New World. The exodus started in earnest in 1887 with Brazil and other parts of Latin America being the original destinations. By 1893, the economy had improved in the United States and people headed there from Italy in greater and greater numbers. In 1898 there were more Italian immigrants to the USA than from any other country. In the post war era, more than a quarter of Italians left the country for a new life. They joined a flood of immigrants to America which was averaging a million a year in the pre war years.