Origins of Italian Surnames

Origins of Italian Surnames Whats in an Italian last name? Ask Leonardo da Vinci, Piero della Francesca, Alessandro Botticelli, or Domenico Ghirlandaio. They were all great artists of the Italian Renaissance, and their surnames paint a picture, too. On the Map Historically, many Italian last names were based on where a person lived or was born. Leonardo da Vincis family was from Vinci, a town in eastern Tuscany- hence his last name, meaning from Vinci. Ironically, during his lifetime, he was referred to solely by his first name. The sculptor Andrea Pisano, best known for his panels on the bronze south door of the Florence Baptistery, was originally named Andrea da Pontedra since he was born in Pontedra, a village near Pisa. He was later referred to as Pisano, indicating the town famous for the Leaning Tower. The single-named Perugino was from the town of Perugia. One of the most popular Italian last names today, Lombardi, is tied to the region of the same name. A Barrel of Laughs Ask most people to name a work of art by Alessandro di Mariano Filipepi and theyd be hard-pressed to name even one. But mention some of his famous works that hang in the Uffizi, such as The Birth of Venus or The Adoration of the Magi, and theyd probably recognize Botticelli. His name was derived from his elder brother Giovanni, a pawnbroker, who was called Il Botticello (The Little Barrel). Another Florentine artist from the fifteenth century with a colorful last name was Giuliano Bugiardini, which literally means little liars. Maybe his family was known for their storytelling skills. There are many other richly imagined, descriptive Italian last names, such as Torregrossa (big tower), Quattrochi (four eyes), Bella (beautiful), and Bonmarito (good husband). Mr. Smith Some Italian last names are related to a persons occupation or trade. Domenico Ghirlandaio, an Early Renaissance painter noted for his frescoes, probably had an ancestor who was a gardener or florist (the word ghirlanda means wreath or garland). Another Florentine painter, also famous for his frescoes, was known as Andrea del Sarto, but his real name was Andrea dAgnolo di Francesco. His moniker del sarto (of the tailor) was derived from his fathers profession. Other examples of Italian surnames related to jobs include Contadino (farmer), Tagliabue (ox-cutter or butcher), and Auditore (literally meaning a hearer, or listener and referring to a judge). Johnson, Clarkson, Robinson Piero di Cosimo, an Early Renaissance painter, adopted his last name as a patronym- that is, his last name was based on his fathers name (Piero di Cosimo- Peter son of Cosimo). Piero della Francesca, whose masterpiece fresco cycle the Legend of the True Cross can be seen in the 13th–century church of San Francesco in Arezzo, had a matronymic surname. That is, his last name was based on his mother’s name (Piero della Francesca- Peter son of Francesca). Left to the Wolves Italian last names typically arose from geographic location, description, patronym, or trade. Theres one other source that deserves mention, though, especially considering how prevalent the last name is. Esposito, literally meaning exposed (from the Latin expositus, past participle of exponere to place outside) is a Italian surname commonly denoting an orphan. Typically, abandoned children were left on church steps, hence the name. Other Italian last names derived from the practice include Orfanelli (little orphans), Poverelli (little poor (people), and Trovato/Trovatelli (found, little foundling). Top 20 Italian Last Names Below are the top 20 Italian surnames throughout Italy: RossiRussoFerrariEspositoBianchiRomanoColomboRicciMarinoGrecoBrunoGalloContiDe LucaCostaGiordanoManciniRizzoLombardiMoretti

30 Nautical Expressions

30 Nautical Expressions 30 Nautical Expressions 30 Nautical Expressions By Mark Nichol Last week, I listed fifty nautical terms originating from seafaring jargon but extended by analogy, with new meanings, to general usage. This roster includes idioms and expressions derived from nautical phrases, many of them originally codified as commands. 1. Abandon ship: an order given when a vessel is disabled or about to sink (give up on an idea or project) 2. All hands on deck: an order for all crew members to assemble in an emergency (a call for everyone available to be available to assist with an activity or event) 3. Anchor’s aweigh: a comment made when a vessel’s anchor is clear of the ocean floor and the vessel can leave its anchorage; sometimes pluralized to â€Å"anchors aweigh† and occasionally misspelled â€Å"anchors away† (a reference to being ready to go) 4. Batten down (the hatches): an order to secure hatches and doors and, when simply rendered â€Å"batten down,† all gear (prepare for criticism or opposition) 5. Bear a hand: an order to assist in the performance of an action (help) 6. Bear down (on): overtake (apply additional effort) 7. Bitter end: the last segment of a rope or chain (the final portion of a difficult or unpleasant task or occurrence) 8. Cast off: let go (remove or throw away) 9. Come around: turn into the wind (align oneself with another way of thinking) 10. Dead ahead: in front of the vessel directly along its center line (straight ahead) 11. Even keeled: well balanced said of a vessel (steady, even tempered) 12. Fend off: push off when landing in a boat so as to avoid damage or upset (defend oneself from others or keep them away) 13. Gangway: an area on a vessel for embarking and disembarking (a warning to move out of the way) 14. Gone overboard: fallen over the side (said of one who has veered too far from the norm in one’s actions or opinions) 15. Keep a sharp lookout: an order to be especially vigilant in watching for hazards (be alert) 16. On deck: present for duty (in baseball, taking one’s place in a special area when one is next up at bat; in general, next in line or about to be presented) 17. Pay out: steadily slacken a line (distribute payment) 18. Pass down the line: relay an order (convey news or information in a series or to others) 19. Pass the word: repeat an order (convey news or information to others) 20. Run aground: striking the ocean floor with the hull of a vessel (halted because of a lack of resources, or reached an impasse) 21. Set a course: steer the vessel toward the intended destination (specify policy or a course of action) 22. Shake a leg: make haste (move quickly) 23. Shoot across the bow: fire a weapon in front of a vessel to signal that it should halt, at the risk of attack if the warning shot is ignored (express a comment or perform an action that signals intent in order to determine the likely response to a subsequent comment or action) 24. Sound out: determine the depth of a body of water (obtain someone’s opinion or reaction) 25. Stand by: an order to await further commands (wait) 26. Stem the tide: steer directly into a current or waves (prevent a mounting force or threat) 27. Stem to stern: the forward end of the bow to the rear part of the vessel; the entire vessel (front to back, beginning to end, or all-inclusive) 28. Storm warning: an announcement of a coming storm (a harbinger of danger or threat) 29. Three sheets to the wind: sailing with sails unsecured (drunk) 30. Wide berth: a significant distance between one vessel and another (plenty of space) Want to improve your English in five minutes a day? Get a subscription and start receiving our writing tips and exercises daily! Keep learning! Browse the Vocabulary category, check our popular posts, or choose a related post below:List of Greek Words in the English LanguageDozen: Singular or Plural?