Dominoes in Europe and North America thumb|The domino players by Friedrich Sturm Modern dominoes first appeared in Italy during the 18th century, but they differ from Chinese dominoes in a number of respects, and there is no confirmed link between the two. European dominoes may have developed independently, or Italian missionaries in China may have brought the game to Europe. Having been established in Italy, the game of dominoes spread rapidly to Austria, southern Germany and France. The game became fashionable in France in the mid-18th century. The name domino does not appear before that time, being first recorded in 1771, in the Dictionnaire de Trévoux. There are two earlier recorded meanings for the French word domino, one referring to the masquerades of the period, derived from the term for the hooded garment of a priest, the other referred to crude and brightly colored woodcuts on paper formerly popular among French peasants.Dictionnaire universel françois et latin, vulgairement appelé dictionnaire de Trévoux v. III, 6e édition (1771), p. 418f. The way by which this word became the name of the game of domino remains unclear. The earliest game rules in Europe describe a simple block game for two or four players. Later French rules add the variant of Domino à la Pêche ("Fishing Domino"), an early draw game as well as a three-hand game with a pool.
dominoes in europe and north america thumb|the domino players by friedrich sturm modern dominoes first appeared in italy during the 18th century but they differ from chinese dominoes in a number of respects and there is no confirmed link between the two european dominoes may have developed independently or italian missionaries in china may have brought the game to europe having been established in italy the game of dominoes spread rapidly to austria southern germany and france the game became fashionable in france in the mid-18th century the name domino does not appear before that time being first recorded in 1771 in the dictionnaire de trévoux there are two earlier recorded meanings for the french word domino one referring to the masquerades of the period derived from the term for the hooded garment of a priest the other referred to crude and brightly colored woodcuts on paper formerly popular among french peasantsdictionnaire universel françois et latin vulgairement appelé dictionnaire de trévoux v iii 6e édition (1771) p 418f the way by which this word became the name of the game of domino remains unclear the earliest game rules in europe describe a simple block game for two or four players later french rules add the variant of domino à la pêche ("fishing domino") an early draw game as well as a three-hand game with a pool