Originally Posted By: Malandrino
Originally Posted By: DoctorTwink
The biggest myth is that you must be completely Italian, have an Italian last name, or be Italian on your father's side only to join or even be made.

They allow people who are 1/2, 1/4, 1/8th or even less Italian in their heritage join as long as they are white and look Italian or Mediterranean.

This myth is perpetuated by movies and TV shows which are full of wrong misinformation masquerading as fact.


How can you know for sure? Not that I'm disagreeing but I think you should at least have an Italian last name to get made, at least in NY. I haven't heard of any made guys who don't have Italian names... I think I remember one or two in smaller families, but not in NY.


NYC and the so called "families" there are not the standard for who gets to join or get "made". For those in the know it's a total myth that you must be completely Italian, be 50% with a heritage on your father's side, or even have a last name. You do have to have some Italian heritage but it does not even have to be 50% or on only your father's side.