Crypto Jews from Italy. From the 13th century to the 16th century, many Jews who were baptized as Catholics were identified as “neofiti” (neophytes), a designation generally used to identify people who had just converted to ® CHRISTIANITY, but in certain Italian regions it was used to identify Jews who discreetly or secretly continued to practice some rites of their original religion.
They were persecuted above all in southern Italy where they were numerous. Its center was located in Trani.
Source: Dictionary of Religions Denominations and Sects