Save Gender Masculine Usage Ancient Roman (Rare) Pronounced Pron. [u̯ɪ.ˈt̪ɛlːʲiʊs̠](Latin) [vi.ˈt̪ɛlːius](English) [key·simplify] Meaning & History Roman family name that was derived from the Latin word vitellus “young calf”. Aulus Vitellius was a Roman emperor during the Year of the Four Emperors.