This is Saladin.
He was born in the area which is modern-day Iraq. In 1169 he was chosen as a replacement for Shawar (Egyptian Vizier who he conveniently had assassinated) and Saladin became the new Vizier.
By the end of the 12th Century his name was on everyone's lips as the conquering leader of the Muslims (Sahl-lah-din) besting Richard the Lion-Hearted in England and Phillip 11th of France as well as a large portion of the Middle East.
The origin of the Saladino name in Sicily begins with a single family.
The family surname of Navarra. A nobleman from Spain. After defeating Saladin in battle the Navarra family adopted the surname "Saladino" to commemorate this victory.
The rest is history.
In 1393 a family member (Umberto Saladino) a Knight of King Martin of Aragon moved to Palermo, Sicily.
This is the Saladino Family Crest
All of the future Sicilian Saladinos, including my long ago lover, are related to this Knight directly (genetically) ...which is kind of neat.
And may explain a lot...actually...lol!
In Sicily, the surname Saladino means "A fierce warrior".
More anon...