Trentino Surnames – Searchable Database

BELOW is a searchable database of surnames (cognomi) I have gathered in the course of my own research, as well as in researching the ancestry of my clients. My research sources include the parish records from the archdiocese of Trento, pergamene (church and legal parchments),  notary documents, lists of diplomas of nobility, and a wide array of local histories in Italian or Latin.

TIP: The term ‘patronymic’ which you will frequently see in the table means ‘father’s name’. This means the surname was originally derived from the personal name of the head of the family at some point in history.

Search Tips: 

  • To make it easy to read, I have set up this table to display only 20 surnames at a time.
  • To see more names, click “next” to see each page in succession OR use the drop-down menu to display up to 100 names at a time.
  • If you are looking for a specific name, use the “search” box at the top of the table.
  • There are MANY spelling variations of these names, so your name might not be spelled exactly as you are accustomed to seeing it. However, I try my best to enter spelling variations as I find them. These variations will show up if you do a search.
  • If you still can’t find the surname you are looking for, try typing in just the first 3 or 4 letters of it. You might find it listed as an alternate spelling.

The Bigger Plan:

These surname studies are being compiled into a book entitled Guide to Trentino Surnames for Genealogists and Family Historians, as well as a separate book of collected larger surname studies. Please be patient, as I still have hundreds of surnames to add and research, and this project will take me several years to complete.  Check back regularly for new names, and subscribe to this blog to be notified when the book is eventually published.

Trentini Surnames

SurnameVariations and Alternative SpellingsNotes
AbbondiAbondi; de Abondi; Abbundi; Abundius (Latin)While this once noble family has lived predominantly in and around Riva del Garda for at least seven centuries, some historians believe they originally came from the village of Bondo in Val Giudicarie, and the surname is thus a toponymic meaning 'from Bondo'.

The theory that the family came from Bondo was first proposed by Father Cipriano Gnesotti in his Memorie delle Giudicarie, written in 1786. On page 147 of that book, the author cites a paper dated 11 July 1433 that refers to 'the honourable Giacomo (B)orioli, a notary originally from Bondo in the parish of Tione, living in Riva'. From this he proposes that the surname in Riva sprang from this Giacomo.

However, Gnesotti also says there is another document from the year 1322, referring to two brothers where were 'son of the late Bondi of Riva'. Additionally, Bertoluzza cites an even earlier document from 1303 referring to 'Guglielmo, son of the late dominus Bondi of Riva' (dominus being an honourific, not a name). This documents, neither of which mention Bondo, indicate 'Bondi' (albeit not 'Abbondi') was already a surname in Riva by the early 14th century.

Bertoluzza offers a second theory on the origin of the name. Rather than being a toponymic, he proposes it might be a soprannome derived from the adjective 'abundus', referring to a person who was 'abundant' with morality and spiritual blessings.

While we might not be able to solve the origin mystery without further investigation, we do have more concrete information about the noble ancestry of Abbondi family. Tabarelli de Fatis tells that, on 10 July 1558, Ferdinando I, Emperor of the Holy Roman Empire, awarded the title of imperial nobility to Giovanni Abbondi of Riva and his cousins. Further embellishments to their stemma were granted to an Antonio Abbondi by both Emperor Massimiliano in 1574, and Emperor Rodolfo II in 1583. Their legitimate nobility was confirmed by Prince Bishop Francesco Alberti D'Enno on 1 July 1759.

Stenico lists several priests with this surname, all from Riva and nearby Varone, the earliest being a Giacomo Abbondi of Riva, who died 13 September 1629. Aside from the afore-mentioned Giacomo (B)orioli from the 1400s, he also lists five other Abbondi notaries, all from Riva, from the 1600s-1700s.

Today, one can see their stemma in Riva on tombs at the Chiesa Arcipretale, and the Chiesa di Santa Maria Assunta, as well as on the great bell inside Torre Apponale. Their motto is 'Auxilium meum a Domino' ('My help is from the Lord').
AbramPatronymic derived from the male personal name 'Abramo', from the Hebrew name Abraham, meaning 'father exalted amongst the people'. Bertoluzza says its use as a surname in Trentino originates in Val di Non. Indeed, in my own research, it appears almost exclusively in the village of Ronzone in Val di Non (parish of Sarnonico).

In my own research, I have found the surname in the parish records for Sarnonico which begin in 1585, but it was most likely there well before this date. On 14 December 1586, for example, three men from the village of Ronzone with the surname Abram (Giovanni, Abram and Cristoforo) were present at the signing of the 'Capitoli per il gaggio comune di Sarnonico e Ronzone', a charter of rules of how the natural resources of their communities were to be used. For their names to appear on this document, they would all need to have been legal adults (at least 25 years old), as well as full 'citizens' of the comune, rather than recently arriving residents, who had been born elsewhere. Thus, we can safely assume the Abram surname was in Ronzone at least by the mid-1500s, and probably earlier.

A Rodolfo Abram (1922-1997) of Ronzone was the director of Trentini nel Mondo, as well as an archivist and scholar of dialects.
AbramiPatronymic derived from the male personal name 'Abramo', from the Hebrew name Abraham, meaning 'father exalted amongst the people'. Bertoluzza says its use as a surname in Trentino originates in Val di Non. Tabarelli de Fatis tells us about the Abrami, a family of notaries who appear in documents from the 1600s in Saco and Lavis. Rauzi tells us they are sometimes called 'Abrami di Cavalcabo'' as they are connected to the Bonfioli di Cavalcabo'. More info about this to follow.
AdamiPatronymic surname derived from the male personal name Adamo. As with many patronymics, it is widely dispersed around the province. It appears most prominently in Besenello, and can also be found in Arco, Isera, Pomarolo, Calliano, Volano, and the city of Trento. More info to follow.
AgostiAgostini; Agostinelli; D'Agostin; DagostinPatronymic surname derived from the male personal name Agostino, meaning 'those descended from Agostino'. Aldo Bertoluzza says its origins are in Val di Fiemme and Val di Fassa, but it is found in many parts of the province including the village of Scanna, in the parish of Livo, Val di Non. While I have not yet researched this surname extensively, I have found it in Varollo in the parish of Livo back to the mid-1600s.
AitempergherAltenburgher; Altempergher; Altimpergher; Altembergher; Altimburger; othersOf German origin, the name means 'from the old mountain'. The reason why there are so many spelling variations is that Italian-speaking (or Italian dialect-speaking) priests were usually trying to spell the unfamiliar name phonetically as they heard it. Bertoluzza says it came into use in Trentino sometime in the 19th century, probably by way of Austria.
AlbasiniFound in Dimaro in Val di Non. More info to follow.
AlbertiOne of dozens of surnames derived from the Germanic root 'Bert' (meaning 'splendid, illustrious, famous'), which appears in male personal names like Alberto, Adalberto, Roberto, Umberto, etc. More info to follow.
Alberti di PoiaOne of dozens of surnames derived from the Germanic root 'Bert' (meaning 'splendid, illustrious, famous'), which appears in male personal names like Alberto, Adalberto, Roberto, Umberto, etc. Alberti di Poia was a noble family, originating from Poia in Vigo Lomaso (Val Giudicarie). More info to follow.
AlbertiniSee detailed article The Many ALBERTINI Families of Trentino.
AldrighettiAldrighetto; Aldrighettoni; Andrighetti; Andrighettoni; Andrighi; AndrigoPatronymic surname derived from the Germanic personal name 'Aldrigo' (sometimes seen as 'Adelrico') or 'Aldrighetto'. Bertoluzza says it originates in Val D'Adige, where it still appears in places like Aldeno and Rovereto. He also cites it as appearing in Volano in Vallagarina at least as early as the mid-1700s. I have found the surname prominently in Val Giudicarie Esteriore (particularly around Dorsino and Glolo) back to the 1500s. It also appears with less frequency in Giudicarie Interiore around the parish of Ragoli.
AlessandriAlissandri; SandriPatronymic surname from the male personal name Alessandro. An old noble family of Preghena in Val di Non, Tabarelli de Fatis says the Alessandri were originally from Maderno in Brescia, Lombardia who transferred to Preghena in the first half of the 1300s. He says they appear in the list of the Bishopric nobility of Preghena in 1760, but I have found references to them as nobility as far back as 1684. In early records from Livo, the surname is often seen shortened to 'Sandri' (which is confusing, as that is also a surname in its own right in other parts of the province). Stenico lists two Preghena notaries with this name, the earlier being Giovanni Giacomo, who worked between the years 1660-1695. Aside from an early Alessandri bishop from Bergamo, the earliest priest he lists is Giovanni Alessandri, who died 24 December 1653. Thus far, the earliest Alessandri I have found in my own research is Tommaso Alessandri ('Sandri'), who was born in Preghena around 1510-1520. The personal names Aliprando, Alessandro and Tommaso recur frequently in the early records.
AlessandriniPatronymic from the male personal name Alessandro. Found in Civezzano. More info to follow.
AlimontaAlimonta is a 'toponomastic' surname, which means it is derived from the name of a place. In this case, it means 'someone from Limonta', referring to the village of Limonta on Lake Como, in the present-day province of Lecco in Lombardia. It is important to note that older in Trentino records will usually refer to this province as 'Milano' ('Mediolansi' in Latin), not 'Lecco'. While the surname 'Alimonti' is still found in Lombardia and other parts of Italy, 'Alimonta' appears to be specific to Trentino.

While most of my usual resources say the Trentino Alimonta first appeared in Val Rendena, my own research leads me to conclude their 'point of entry' into the province was either Riva del Garda or Arco, sometime between 1675-1695, headed by Francesco Alimonta, born in Lombardia around 1655. P. Remo Stenico also lists two Alimonta notaries from Riva del Garda in the late 1700s. After spending some time in Arco, at least one branch of this family later moved north to Fiave' in the parish of Vigo Lomaso (Val Giudicarie), while some stayed behind in Arco. Only later (around 1727) does the surname start to appear in records in the Val Rendena area.

One of the sons of Francesco of Lombardia, Pietro Paolo Alimonta (born 29 Jun 1743) became a widely respected surgeon, who was eventually ennobled by 1770 (but I have no information about this title). His son Giuseppe (born 17 May 1775) was a notary for more than 20 years, and his younger son Pietro Paolo Giuseppe (born 12 Jan 1783) followed in his father's medical field to become a pharmacist. Although I still need to verify this, I believe it was Pietro Paolo Giuseppe who founded the 'Farmacia Alimonta', which I have been told was still in operation (under a different name) until around 1980. The tomb in which Pietro, his wife Margherita, and their son Eugenio (born 4 Feb 1813) are buried in Vigo Lomaso says 'farmacista a Campo' (pharmacist at Campo).
AliprandiInfo to follow
AliprandiniAlliprandini; Liprandini; AlprendiniThe Aliprandini were a very old noble family from the Mezzalone plateau in the northern part of Val di Non, where the comuni of Varollo, Preghena, Scanna and Livo (the seat of the municipality) are situated. Many Aliprandini are cited as nobility in the Livo parish records, and back to the earliest records in the 1500s. The family are listed in the list of ecclesiastical nobility of Livo in 1529 and 1760, of Preghena in 1630 and 1760, and of Varollo and Cassina in 1529 and 1760.

While linguistic historian Aldo Bertoluzza says the surname comes from the Longobard male personal name 'Aliprando' (which means 'fights with a sharp sword'), historian Gian Maria Rauzi and others say Aliprandini is a permutation of the male personal name 'Riprando', as the family are descendants of Riprando Malosco, head of the now-extinct feudal lords in the province of Trento (circa 200 A.D. - 1512). Either way, the roots of the surname predate the Holy Roman Empire.

The family produced numerous soldiers, doctors, notaries and priests throughout the centuries.

In the military, Riccardino Aliprandini was a Captain of both Val di Non and Val di Sole until 1587, serving in both Spain and Portugal. Historian P. Remo Stenico lists over 20 Aliprandini notaries, the earliest being Aliprando, son of Bernardino Aliprandini of Livo, who appears in records as early as 1557. He also lists at least 20 Aliprandini priests, the most notable being Biagio Aliprandini (b. ca. 1500 in Livo, and died in Bressanone 23 September 1571), who served as a 'suffragan bishop' (assistant bishop). In addition to being a prolific writer, he is famed for having directed the reconstruction of the ancient parish church in Varollo (La chiesa della Natività di Maria), and for defending the rights of the Prince Bishop of Trento before the Holy Roman Emperor, Ferdinand II. Both Biagio and the afore-mentioned Riccardino were honoured with the rank of imperial nobility by that same Emperor on 13 September 1614.

An ecclesiastical diploma of nobility was granted by Prince Bishop Giovanni Michele Spaur on 3 November 1704 to medical doctor Giovanni Romedio Aliprandini of Livo. On 28 May 1736, having served from some time as personal physician of two Prince Bishops in Salzburg, this same Giovanni Romedio was elevated by Emperor Carlo VI to the rank of Knight of the Holy Roman Empire, with the predicate 'Laifenthurn' (also seen as 'von Leyff und Maluschk'). In his book Famiglie Nobili del Trentino, historian Adriano Guelfi Camajani says this imperial diploma of nobility is still extant at the Archivio di Stato in Innsbruck.

In my own research, the earliest Aliprandini I have identified so far is the noble Bernardino Aliprandini (father of the notary Aliprando) who was most likely born in Preghena sometime around the year 1500.
AloisiAloysi; Alouisi; AlovisiPatronymic derived from the male personal name 'Aloisio' or 'Aloyisius', which is the earlier Latin form of the name 'Luigi'. In my own research, I have found it in Dasindo the parish of Vigo Lomaso, at least back to the mid-1600s. The variant spellings Alovisi, Alouisi and Aloysi are also found in Arco. More info to follow.
AltenburgerAitempergher; Altempergher; Altimpergher; Altembergher; Altimburger; othersOf German origin, the name means 'from the old mountain'. The reason why there are so many spelling variations is that Italian-speaking (or Italian dialect-speaking) priests were usually trying to spell the unfamiliar name phonetically as they heard it. Bertoluzza says it came into use in Trentino sometime in the 19th century, probably by way of Austria.
AmadeiAmadioPatronymic derived from the male personal name 'Amadeo' / 'Amadio' (Latin: 'Amadeus'), it is a compound word (ama + dio) with the meaning 'he who loves God' as well as 'God is loved'. The surname appears in various places in the province, especially in Caderzone, Ala, Borghetto All'Adige, and Coredo, as well as in Stenico, Saone and Rango (Val Giudicarie). In my own research, the earliest Amadei I have found so far is Amadeo Amadei of Saone, who was most likely born around 1530. Historian Giulia Scalfi Marchiori mentions the Saone Amadei briefly, only to say the surname is now extinct in that village.
AmbrosiAmbrosino; Ambrosini; Ambrosioni; AmbrosianoPatronymic derived from the male personal name 'Ambrogio' (Ambrose in English), most frequently associated with Saint Ambrose, the 4th-century bishop of Milan regarded as one of the four original Doctors of the Church. The surname appears in many places in the province, most prominently in Carisolo and Giustino (Val Rendena) and Villa Lagarina, but it is also seen in Valsugana, Val di Fiemme, Pellizzano, Riva, Mori and Rovereto.

In his book of notaries, P. Remo Stenico mentions two different men called 'Ambrogio of Giustino' (one the son of Nascimbeni, son of Benvenuto, and the other the son of Giovanni, son of another Ambrogio), whose names appear in notary documents as early as 1385 (i.e. before surnames were commonly in use). I would imagine one or both of these men may be the patriarch of the Ambrosi lines in Giustino/Carisolo area. In his book of priests, Stenico lists many with this surname and its variants, the oldest being a Pietro Ambrosino of Carisolo who appears in parish records in the year 1589.

In my own research so far, I have found the surname 'Ambrosi' back to the early 1700s in Carisolo, and to the mid-1600s in Villa Lagarina. In their book Artisti Trentini e Artisti Che Operarono Nel Trentino, art historians Simone Weber and Nicolo' Rasmo cite many artists of note with this surname, including sculptor Nicolo' Ambrosi of Villa Lagarina (mid-1700s), and painter/sculptor Francesco Ambrosino of Mori (late 1500s). The earliest person to emigrate from Trentino to the Americas I have ever found is a Nicolo' Ambrosi (born 19 Dec 1758 in Villa Lagarina; not the above-mentioned artist), who settled in Chile around 1790, where his descendants still live today.
AmistadiAmista; AmistaniBertoluzza says Amistadi is a patronymic derived from the male personal name 'Amista', which means 'friendship' ('amicizia' in Italian). While he says its origins are from around Valli di Fiemme e Fassa to the north, the earliest Amistadi he cites is from Arco (Alto Garda) in 1590, and it and is generally found most prominently in the southern part of the province, especially in Arco and in Roncone (Giudicarie Interiore).
AnasiniInfo to follow
AndermarchInfo to follow
AndogniniInfo to follow
AndreasiOne of several patronymic surnames derived from the male personal name 'Andrea' ('Andrew' in English). One of the 12 Apostles of Jesus Christ, the name means 'man of excellence'. Surnames based on this root are patronymics, indicating they are descended from patriarch who had the personal name Andrea. In Trentino, the surname Andreasi appeared almost exclusively in the parish of Arco until the beginning of the 20th century. Today a handful of families with this surname can be found in Mezzolombardo, Cavedine, Riva del Garda, Ospedaletto, Mori and Tenno. Today, it can also be found in the province of Bolzano, as well as in other regions, especially Lombardia and Veneto. More info to follow.
AndreattaAndreataOne of several patronymic surnames derived from the male personal name 'Andrea' ('Andrew' in English). One of the 12 Apostles of Jesus Christ, the name means 'man of excellence'. Surnames based on this root are patronymics, indicating they are descended from patriarch who had the personal name Andrea. Andreatta appears most prominently in the areas of Segonzano, Bedollo, Bolentino, Baselga di Pine', Pergine, Civezzano, Bosentino, as well as around the greater area of the city of Trento. Stenico cites several Andreatta notaries who worked through the Giudizio of Pergine in the mid-1700s, as well as many Andreatta priests, the earlies of which is an Andrea Andreatta of Piazze (not far from Bedollo), who was born around 1685. In my own research, one extended Andreatta family appears to have lived in the tiny 'mansu' (homestead) of Quaras in the parish of Segonzano at least since the early 1700s.
AndreisInfo to follow
AndreolliAndreoli, AndreolloOne of several patronymic surnames derived from the male personal name 'Andrea' ('Andrew' in English). One of the 12 Apostles of Jesus Christ, the name means 'man of excellence'. Surnames based on this root are patronymics, indicating they are descended from patriarch who had the personal name Andrea. As with many patronymic surnames, Andreolli can be found in many parts of the province, including Val Giudicarie (e.g. Larido), Val Rendena, and Val d'Adige (e.g. Meano, Gazzadina). More info to follow.
AndreottiOne of several patronymic surnames derived from the male personal name 'Andrea' ('Andrew' in English). One of the 12 Apostles of Jesus Christ, the name means 'man of excellence'. Surnames based on this root are patronymics, indicating they are descended from patriarch who had the personal name Andrea. As with many patronymic surnames, Andreotti can be found many parts of the province, including Bolentina e Montes, Celentino, Villazzano, Rovereto, Ossana, and Arco. More info to follow.
AndrichFound in Segonzano. More info to follow.
AndrighettiInfo to follow
AnesiFound in Baselga di Pine'. More info to follow.
AngeliAnzeli; Agnol; Agnoi; dell'Agnol; Angelis; de AngelisCLICK HERE to read about the history of the ANGELI of Cloz
AngeliniAnzeliniLike the surname Angeli, Angelini is generally believed to be a patronymic derived from the male personal name Angelo. Although Angelo means 'angel' in Italian, its original Greek meaning is 'messenger' or 'messenger or God'.
Like many other patriarchal surnames, variants appear in many parts of the province, but they are not always historically connected to each other. The primary places where it appears are Arco, Dro', Mori, Ala, Massone in the south, and Brez in Val di Non (where it is often seen written 'Anzelini').

Stenico lists many priests with the surname Angelini, mostly from the southern villages mentioned above, as well as the city of Trento. The earliest of these is a Fontana Giovanni Domenico Angelini, who was born in Arco around 1703, and a Giovanni Maria Angelini, who was born around in Dro' around 1708. Similarly, he lists many Angelini notaries, mostly employed at the Giudizio of Arco, with one in Cles. The earliest notary he mentions is a Carlo Valentino Angelini, who operated as a notary in Arco from 1664 until 1692.
AnselmiAnselm; Anselmo; AnselmaPatronymic derived from the male personal name Anselmo, which is of German origin. Its use is most likely inspired by Saint Anselmo d'Aosta. The word 'elmo' means 'helmet'; Bertoluzza says the name Anselmo means a magical helmet given by God. The link to the personal name is confirmed by the fact that the male personal name 'Anselmo' was given to many boys in early family lines, meaning you will find the name 'Anselmo Anselmi' recurring in many older records.

In my own research, I have found the surname in various places in the northern part of the province, especially in Samoclevo and Croviana (Val di Sole) and Castelfondo (Val di Non). In my own research, the earliest Anselmi I have found are Giovanni Maria Anselmi of Croviana (who had a son named Anselmo) and Giovanni Anselmi of Samoclevo, both born circa 1530-1540.
AntoliniOne of many of patronymic surnames derived from the male personal name 'Antonio', and associated with S. Antonio (Saint Anthony) of Padova and/or S. Antonio Abate. Variations are widely spread throughout the province; early versions of the surname appear in records back to the 1300s. In my own research, I have found 'Antolini' exclusively in Tione in Val Giudicarie, back to at least the mid-1600s. Bertoluzza believes Antolini was most likely a variant of 'Antonini', which appears prominently south of Tione, in Val di Chiese. Bertoluzza says the original meaning of the name Antonio is unclear, but it was an Etruscan variant of the Latin name Antonius.
AntonelliOne of many of patronymic surnames derived from the male personal name 'Antonio', and associated with S. Antonio (Saint Anthony) of Padova and/or S. Antonio Abate. Variations are widely spread throughout the province; early versions of the surname appear in records back to the 1300s. The variant Antonelli is found prominently in Segonzano. More info to follow.
AntoniazziOne of many of patronymic surnames derived from the male personal name 'Antonio', and associated with S. Antonio (Saint Anthony) of Padova and/or S. Antonio Abate. Variations are widely spread throughout the province; early versions of the surname appear in records back to the 1300s. The variant Antoniazzi is found prominently in Cavalese. More info to follow.
AntonignesSurnames with the root 'Ant' or 'Anton' are patronymics derived from the male personal name 'Antonio', usually associated with wither Sant'Antonio (Saint Anthony) of Padova and/or Sant'Antonio Abate. Variations are widely spread throughout the province; early versions of these surnames appear in records back to the 1300s. Bertoluzza says the original meaning of the name Antonio is unclear, but it was an Etruscan variant of the Latin name Antonius. The variant Antonignes is found in Flavon in Val di Non, but I am told by another researchers that the name went extinct there in the late 1800s. More info to follow.
AntoniniOne of many of patronymic surnames derived from the male personal name 'Antonio', and associated with S. Antonio (Saint Anthony) of Padova and/or S. Antonio Abate. Variations are widely spread throughout the province; early versions of the surname appear in records back to the 1300s. 'Antonini' appears prominently in Val di Chiese, especially in Cimega. Bertoluzza says the original meaning of the name Antonio is unclear, but it was an Etruscan variant of the Latin name Antonius.
AntoniolloOne of many of patronymic surnames derived from the male personal name 'Antonio', and associated with S. Antonio (Saint Anthony) of Padova and/or S. Antonio Abate. Variations are widely spread throughout the province; early versions of the surname appear in records back to the 1300s. Bertoluzza says the original meaning of the name Antonio is unclear, but it was an Etruscan variant of the Latin name Antonius. The variant 'Antoniollo' is found in Lover. More info to follow.
AppolloniAppoloniInfo to follow
ApproviniInfo to follow
ArchettiSurname found in Arco and the city of Trento. More info to follow.
AriasiInfo to follow
ArlanchInfo to follow
ArmanelliPatronymic derived from the Germanic male personal name 'Armano' or 'Armando', which means 'warrior', 'soldier' or 'free man of the army'. Not to be confused with the more widely dispersed surname 'Armani', the variant 'Armanelli' appears frequently in the parish of Vigo Lomaso, especially around Godenzo and Poia. The earliest instance I have found so far in my research is a Nicolo' Armanelli of Godenzo, most likely born near the end of the 1500s.
ArmaniPatronymic derived from the Germanic male personal name 'Armano' or 'Armando', which means 'warrior', 'soldier' or 'free man of the army'. The variant 'Armani' appears widely dispersed in many parts of the province and other parts of the Italian peninsula, but mostly in the northern regions of Trentino-Alto Adige, Emilia-Romagna, Veneto and Lombardia. The famous fashion designer Giorgio Armani is, in fact, from Emilia-Romagna, and I have also found this surname in records back to the 1600s in Badia Calavena, in the province of Verona. In Trentino, Bertoluzza says it shows up as early as 1437 in Smarano in Val di Non, but it also appears in Val Giudicarie, most notably around Fiave' and Poia in the parish of Vigo Lomaso. Many prominent Armani notaries came from Fiave' in Val Giudicarie; the earliest name I have found so far in connection with these is a Bernardino Armani (father of the notary Antonio Armani), mostly likely born around 1510.
ArmaniniPatronymic derived from the Germanic male personal name 'Armano' or 'Armando', which means 'warrior', 'soldier' or 'free man of the army'. Not to be confused with the more widely dispersed surname 'Armani', the variant 'Armanini' appears prominently in Premione in the parish of Tavodo (Val Giudicarie Esteriore). A Domenico Armanini of Storo (Val Giudicarie Interiore) appears in a notarised agreement record dated 1651. The earliest instance I have found so far in my research is a Domenico Armanini of Premione, most likely born around 1580.
ArnoldoArnoldi; Arnoldin; ArnoldiniPatronymic derived from the male personal name Arnaldo or Arnoldo, which has the meaning 'powerful dominator like an eagle'. Its origins lie in Val di Non, and appears in places like Cles, Revo' and Tuenno.
ArtelArtini; Artico; ArvediBertoluzza says this surname is derived from the ancient personal name 'Artuico', which comes from the gothic word 'hart', meaning 'strong', 'robust' or 'talented'. He says its origins are in Val d'Adige and Riva. I have found the variant 'Artini' in Tione di Trento.
ArtiniArtel; Artico; ArvediBertoluzza says this surname is derived from the ancient personal name 'Artuico', which comes from the gothic word 'hart', meaning 'strong', 'robust' or 'talented'. He says its origins are in Val d'Adige and Riva. I have found the variant 'Artini' in Tione di Trento.
AssonSurname found in Amblar, Malosco, and Fondo in Val di Non. More info to follow.
AvanciniAvanziniA very old surname dating back to at least to the 1400s. While, in my experience, the spelling (Avancini vs Avanzini) seems to be arbitrary in most records, the 'z' spelling appears more in the northern part of the province, and the 'c' more frequently in the south. Today, the surname in Trentino appears mainly in and around Levico (Valsugana), Trento, Arco, and Brez (Val di Non).

While Bertoluzza says it is derived from an ancient honourific 'Delavanzo', which means 'God accompanies him', it seems more likely it is a patronymic taken from the now disused male personal name 'Avancino' or 'Avanzino' (Latin: Avancius), as well as 'Avanzo', which all may have a similar meaning. P. Remo Stenico cites the names of several notaries with the personal name 'Avanzo', mostly in the village of Vervo' as early as the 1200s -- well before the use of surnames.

Tabarelli de Fatis believes that three main branches of Avancini nobility -- in Levico (Valsugana), the city of Trento, and Bergamo (in Lombardia) -- are all descended from an Avanzino, son of Ognibene de Avanzini of Vione in Valcamonia in Lombardia. He explains that, on 13 April 1463, this Avancino de Avanzini was invited by Prince Bishop Giorgio Hack to take on the investiture (right to a fiefdom) of Ossana and Cusiano in Val di Sole. From his name alone, we can assume the male personal name Avancino was characteristic to this line.

Later, another Avancino, descended from the one I just mentioned, served as Captain and Ambassador to Emperor Carlo V, who granted the title of knight (cavaliere) of the Holy Roman Empire to Avancino and his two brothers, Antonio and Gregorio of Levico, on 6 July 1549. The Emperor reconfirmed that title on Gregorio on 6 July 1655. From Gregorio of Levico (again via Tabarelli de Fatis) the branches in the city of Trento and in Bergamo are descended.

In my own research, I have identified an Avancini family (including a Gregorio who would have been contemporary to the Gregorio mentioned above) who were living in Villa di Bleggio in Val Giudicarie throughout the 1500s. The surname disappears from that parish in the early 1600s (possibly wiped out during the plague of 1630). While it seems likely they are connected to the Levico branch, I have no evidence of this as yet, and no mention of nobility appears in the records for this particular family.

The variant 'Avanzini' is found mainly in Brez in Val di Non (although it may sometimes also be written Avancini there), and particularly in Taversara, where I have found it back the early 1500s. While most of the lines I have traced do not appear to have been ennobled, Tabarelli de Fatis says that one of these lines received imperial nobility in 1565. He makes no connection between the Brez lines and those of Levico. One descendant from this line was the Jesuit Nicola Avanzini, who was also an author and poet in the court of Vienna in the latter half of the 1600s.

Stenico lists many priests who had the surname Avancini, mostly from or near Levico, but a few others from Brez, Tione, Ceniga (in Dro'), and Rovereto.
AvanziniSee Avancini
AviFound in Baselga di Pine'. More info to follow.
AzzoliniSurname found most frequently in Dasindo the parish of Vigo Lomaso in Val Giudicarie. More info to follow.
BaccaFound in Mocenigo. More info to follow.
BaccedaBacedaFound in Pietramurata and Dro'. More info to follow.
BacilieriBaccilieriFound in Ala. More info to follow.
Bagatol Found in Cavedine. More info to follow.
BagattiniInfo to follow
BagoliniFound in Seo (Tavodo parish) in Val Giudicarie. More info to follow.
BagozziInfo to follow
BaldessariInfo to follow
BaldironBaldironiInfo to follow
BaldoviniBalduiniInfo to follow
BaldracchiInfo to follow
BalduzziBalducciFound in Prezzo (Pieve di Bono); Tavodo (Val Giudicarie). More info to follow.
BalistiInfo to follow
BallardiniA very old surname found mostly in Val Giudicarie, especially around Preore. One of several surnames derived from the word 'ballare', which means 'to dance', Lorenzi says this particular variant comes from the male personal name 'Ballardo'.
BallinaInfo to follow
BallistaInfo to follow
BalterWalterInfo to follow
BandinelliInfo to follow
BaratBarato; Baratto; BarattiSurname found most commonly in Mezzano and Imer in Primiero. More info to follow.
BaratoBarattoInfo to follow
BarattiInfo to follow
BarbacoviInfo to follow
BarberiBarberi is one of several occupational surnames derived from a soprannome given to someone who made their living as a barber (barbiere). As it is an age-old occupation, we find the Latin 'Barberius' appears in many early Trentino records, dating back to the 1200s, before surnames as we know them existed.

Although there are similar surnames (such as Barbi), the specific surname Barberi is most prominently found in the parish of Lizzanella, near Rovereto, where it has been for many centuries. We find, for example, a notary referred to as 'Gerardo, cleric of Trento' referred to as 'son of the late Magistri Antonii Barberii (Antonio Barberi) of Lizzanella in a document dated 1448. In the 20th century, an Augusto Barberi from Rovereto was a renowned manufacturer of tiled stufe (traditional wood-burning ceramic stoves). To this day, there are reportedly about 100 Barberi living in the Rovereto area.

I have also found Barberi living in the frazione of Rango (parish of Santa Croce del Bleggio in Val Giudicarie) in the earliest parish records. The earliest reference I have found is in a marriage record dated 3 August 1583 for a Bernardo Barberi (son of the late Antonio) and Cattarina Brunelli (daughter of Giovanni Mattia), both of Rango. In later records, we find this line occasionally using the soprannome 'Bernardini', which may mean there was an earlier Bernardo Barberi, possibly born around the year 1500. The surname died out in Santa Croce by the middle of the 1600s.

Outside of Trentino, the surname is also found in many other parts of Italy, most prominently in Sicily (especially in the province of Messina), Lazio (especially around Rome), and Toscana (especially in the province of Lucca).
BarbiInfo to follow
BardinelliInfo to follow
BaroldiFound in Fiave' in Val Guidicarie. More info to follow.
BaronciniFound in Arco. More info to follow.
BaroniLiterally 'the barons', this surname seems to have first appeared in and around Tenno, with branches migrating to other parts of the province, especially Larido in Bleggio. More info to follow.
Baroni Cavalcabo'Info to follow
BaronioInfo to follow
BartolomeiInfo to follow
BaruchelliInfo to follow
BaruffaldiInfo to follow
BaruzziFound in Molina di Ledro. More info to follow.
Basagni Possibly a soprannome, this name appears in records for Larido in Bleggio (Val Giudicarie) in the 1600s. The surname is now extinct.
BassanaFound in Canale di Tenno at least as far back as the mid-1700s. More info to follow.
BassettiFound in Sarche; Lasino; Pietramurata; Cavedine; Seio; Santa Massenza; Trento; Vela; Vigo Lomaso (Godenzo; Lundo); Bleggio (Cavrasto). Some lines were ennobled. More info to follow
BassiBoso; BossoFound in the parish of Grigno. More info to follow.
BassoInfo to follow
BastianiSee Sebastiani
BatibechInfo to follow
BattagliaInfo to follow
BattajaBattaia; Bataja; BataiaFound primarily in and around the parish of Vigo Lomaso, especially Godenzo, Poiam abd Fiave'. Also found in Rovereto and other parts of the province. More Info to follow.
BattistiInfo to follow
BattitoriBatatori; Batador.As the suffix '-dor' or '-tore' (plural '-tori') refers someone of a certain occupation, Bertoluzza suggests that this name may have been derived from the verb 'battere' (literally 'to beat'), referring to a farmer whose job it was to thresh the wheat. Although Bertoluzza says the surname has its origins in Val di Non, I have only ever found it in the little parish of Saone in Val Giudicarie. The late Silvia Marchiori Scalfi, the renowned historian on Saone, says the family were known as 'Batador' before the year 1400, citing the first example of 'Batitori' in 1410. This Saone family are especially known for producing many prominent notaries over the centuries, the earliest cited by Scalfi being Donato Battitori who died sometime before 1499. The line of Battitori notaries continued seamlessly from father to son, until the mid-1700s. Scalfi cites a baptismal record dated 5 November 1683, in which the Illustrious Countess Regina Vittoria of Arco was the godmother of Giulio Taddeo Battitori, son of 'egregio e spettabile' Antonio Battitori (typical honourifics used when referring to notaries), who would ultimately be the last notary in this unbroken chain. There was at least one priest in the family: a Giulio Battitori of Saone, who passed away in 1708 at the age of 72. Claudio Battitori of Saone (1951-2008), a cousin by marriage in my own family, was an architect involved in the reconstruction of the historic village of Irone, which had been completely wiped out by the plague of 1630.
BattochiBattocchiLinguistic historian Aldo Bertoluzza says this surname is derived from the word 'battocchio', meaning the clapper of a church bell. When used to describe a person, he says, it has the meaning of someone who is mischievous or a rascal. I have found Battochi prominently in the parish of Tione di Trento at least back to the early 1600s.
BattoclettiBatocleti; BatocletLinguistic historian Aldo Bertoluzza says this surname is derived from the word 'battocchio', meaning the clapper of a church bell. When used to describe a person, he says, it has the meaning of someone who is mischievous or a rascal. The surname has its origins in Cavareno (parish of Sarnonico) in Val di Non. The earliest surviving baptismal record I have found with this surname is for a Giovanni, son of Pietro Battocletti (spelled 'Batocleti') of Cavareno, born 3 February 1589.
BauerInfo to follow
BauerleinInfo to follow
BazzoliBazzeFrom the word 'bazza', referring to a large sheet made of hemp cloth that mountain farmers wrapped around bales of hay when they carried them on their shoulders to their barns. Bertoluzza says the surname originated in Val di Non, but I have seen it in Roncone in Val Breguzzo at least as far back as the early 1700s.
BegnudelliBegnudelli Basso; Begnudelli BassiAlthough associated mostly with Dres (a frazione of Cles) in Val di Non, the surname Begnudelli appears to have originated in Strombiano in the comune of Peio in Val di Sole. We find, for example, a 'Baldassare, son of the late Giovanni Begnudelli of Strombiano' is cited as a witness at a legal agreement drafted in Cusiano on 16 August 1529.

As to the linguistic origin of the surname, it may have been a variant of the Peio surname 'Benvenuti' (which is a patronymic derived from the personal name Benvenuto). Historian Gian Maria Rauzi suggests that Benvenuti may have evolved into a dialect form 'Begnù', which later transformed into an affectionate form 'Begnudel', finally becoming Begnudelli.

There were many personalities of note among the Begnudelli of Dres. The family produced several notaries in the 17th and 18th centuries, including Antonio Begnudelli (born in Dres 30 January 1592). Active as a notary from the early 1630s, he also became Chancellor to the Prince-Bishop by 1642, where he also obtained citizenship of the city of Trento in 1631. On 27 November 1647, he was granted Nobility of the Holy Roman Empire. Sometime in the 1600s, we see this line adding 'Basso' after their surname.

One of Antonio's children became the distinguished priest and scholar, Monsignor Francesco Antonio Begnudelli Basso. Born in Trento, he obtained his Doctor of Theology from the Collegio Germanico in Rome, and later went on to serve as the 'Spiritual Vicar General' of the Diocese of Trento from 1675, as well as for Frisinga in Bavaria from 1696. He is famously the author of the Bibliotheca Juris Canonico-Civilis Practica (Practical Library of Canonical-Civil Law), which is reputed to be one of the best encyclopaedias of canon law of its time. He died in Trento on 9 October 1713, at the age of 68.
Behind the main altar of the church of San Tommaso in Dres, we find a painting of the Virgin Mary and Saints. Painted in 1673 by artist Mattia Fiser, the work was commissioned by the Begnudelli family, and thus contains their stemma at the very bottom of the canvas.

The last Begnudelli of Dres whose birth is recorded up to the year 1928 was an Adolfo Bernardo, born 4 April 1883. His baptismal record says he married very late (at age 62) on 5 November 1945. He died in Cles on 16 July 1965. His elder brother, Dario Bernardino Bartolomeo (born 6 July 1878), married his 1st cousin, Tullia Mezzena of Monclassico on 21 Oct 1911. Dario's baptismal record says he died on 5 May 1943, but it does not say where. The couple had one child, son, Giuseppe Emilio Maria, born in the city of Trento in 1914. As there are a few Begnudelli still living in the comune of Cles today, I presume they may be descended from this son.
BelasiInfo to follow
BelenzaniInfo to follow
BelfantiInfo to follow
BellaBelloOne of many surnames derived from the soprannome 'bello' or 'bella' meaning beautiful or pleasing looking. Variants have appeared in diverse areas of the province as early as the 12th century.
BelliInfo to follow
BelliboniCornal; Cornali; Cornalli; BonisThe surname Belliboni has been present in village of Stumiaga in the parish of Vigo Lomaso in Val Giudicarie (Esteriore) at least since the mid-1500s when the parish register began. However, documents from the 1300s seem to indicate their ancestors were already living in the village of Vigo in that parish during the era of the Black Death, which devastated the Italian peninsula in 1347-1348.

In 1351, just after the Black Death, in an era when surnames were not yet fully formed or in common use, we find a document drafted at the church of Saint Eleuterio (the original name of the church of Santa Croce del Bleggio) that cites the names of six men, who obviously survived the plague. Among these names is one 'Belebonus (or Bellebono), son of the late Spisata', of the village of Vigo in the parish of Lomaso.

The personal name Bellebono is comprised of two Latin words: Bellus (meaning handsome or beautiful) and Bonum (meaning of good character). This name may have been his given name at birth, or it may have been a soprannome given to him later as a gesture of admiration. My assumption is that Belliboni is a patronymic surname derived from the name of this (or an earlier) Bellebono; thus, the surname simply means 'the family/descendants of Bellebono'.

According to historian Lorenzo Dalponte, in a document drafted in 1393 by a notary known only as Giacomo of Madice, thirteen families were seeking restitution from one of the Counts of Arco, whose agents had been systematically plundering, looting, and generally terrorising the residents in the villages of Curè, Vigo and Carbuié (all in the parish of Vigo Lomaso). Although the author does not share the names of these thirteen families, he infers that the Belliboni were among them, telling us something about their history. Local lore has it that, sometime after having survived the Black Death, the Belliboni moved from Vigo to Stumiaga. Later, when a second major plague hit the province in 1630, the family survived once again. It is said that their neighbours gave them the soprannome 'Cornal' or 'Cornali' -- a variant of corniolo, which the Italian word for a dogwood tree, known for its hard and resistant wood. Thus, their soprannome was a reference to their historically rugged resistance to plagues.

Dalponte says the soprannome was probably a reference to an earlier plague that occurred before the year 1630, as it appears in a document dated 1628 (although he doesn't say what the document is, so I haven't been able to verify this). In the parish register, however, it appears only after 1630. The earliest Belliboni I have found in the Vigo Lomaso baptismal register in the late 1500 are all recorded as Belliboni (or just 'Bonis' / Boni) of Stumiaga. It is only in 1638 that I have found a baptism recorded under the soprannome 'Cornali'. Moreover, we find a note in the index of volume 3 of the baptismal register for Vigo Lomaso (1633-1657) that that the Belliboni were also registered under 'Cornali'.

The surname Belliboni still thrives in Stumiaga today, as well as in nearby villages.
BelliniInfo to follow
BellottiBelloti; Belotti; Belotto; Bellotto; BellotusOne of many surnames derived from the soprannome 'bello' or 'bella' meaning beautiful or pleasing looking. Variants of this root word have appeared in diverse areas of the province as early as the 12th century. While its widely used linguistic root make it difficult to pin down its precise origins, the variant 'Bellotti' seems to have arisen in areas southwest of the city of Trento. Bertoluzza cites a 'Bellotus of Tione' in the year 1220, and I have found a 'Bellotto of Madice' (in Bleggio) mentioned in a document of sale in the pergamene of Santa Croce del Bleggio dated 10 June 1321. The surname appears in early parish records in Tavodo, San Lorenzo in Banale, Santa Croce del Bleggio and Arco. It also appears in Folgaria (east of Rovereto), but I don't know how deep its roots are there. The earliest Bellotti individual I have found mentioned in parish records is a Nicolo' Bellotti of Cavaione (again, in Santa Croce parish), who was most likely born around 1490, but there are many other Bellotti families living around the same time in other parts of that parish.
BellutaBellutiInfo to follow
BeltramiBeltrame, BeltramolliPatronymic surname derived from the male personal name of Germanic origin 'Beltramo' or 'Bertrando', meaning (according to Bertoluzza) means famous, or 'resplendent crow' ('corvo rispelendente'). Bertoluzza says it originates in Val D'Adige and Val Giudicarie, and that the Latin form 'Beltramus' appeared in Ala as early as 1216. I have, however, traced one Giudicarie Beltrami line back to Val Rendena, when a Cristoforo Beltrami (from Val Rendena) moved to Bleggio after marrying Domenica Gusmerotti of Vergonzo in the parish of Santa Croce del Bleggio in 1618.
BemaschiInfo to follow
BenassutiBennassuti; BenasuttiBertoluzza says this surname is derived from the term 'bene natus' which means 'good birth', but I believe 'Benasutti' comes from the (now rare) male personal name 'Benasu', which may have the same meaning. I am basing this on the birth on 25 Mar 1559 of a Benasu Benasutti (son of Valentino) in Tignerone (in the present-day parish of Santa Croce del Bleggio). I believe this may have been a family name that went further back, although this is the earliest instance of 'Benasu' I have found of it so far. The surname appears mostly in the area of Tignerone (at least to the beginning of the 1500s), and the ancient families were affluent with many notaries and landowners.
BeneInfo to follow
BenedettiPatronymic surname derived from the male personal name 'Benedetto', which literally means 'well said', but has the semantic meaning of being blessed. While widely dispersed throughout the province, it is seen prominently in Segonzano (Val di Cembra) and Ronzo-Chienis (Vallagarina). More info to follow.
BenettiInfo to follow
BenevenutiInfo to follow
BeniniBenigni; BeninoBertoluzza says this is one of many surnames derived from the root 'ben', which is a term of good wishes or congratulations, but I also believe it is a patronymic derived from the male personal name 'Benino.' Now widely dispersed around Arco, Riva, Tenno and throughout Val Giudicarie, its origins seem to be somewhere in the area just north of Lago di Garda, possibly in the area around Gavazzo. The earliest appearance of the name I have found so far is a notary referred to as 'Benino of Gavazzo' in 1358 (as per P. Remo Stenico's 'Notai Che Operarono Nel Trentino dall'Anno 845', page 52). Other early Benini notaries include Gioachino of Gavazzo (ca. 1544), Antonio of Arco (ca. 1580), Michele of Vezzano (ca. 1570) and another Benino Benini of Fiave' (ca. 1569). A Simone Andrea Benini from the flourishing Fiave' line transferred to Seo in the parish of Tavodo when he married Domenica Margherita Parisi in 1776, from which point the spelling of the surname (in Seo only) was changed to 'Benigni'. According to my research, the Benini line of Bivedo in parish of Santa Croce del Bleggio (Val Giudicarie) is descended from a Bartolomeo Benini (born ca. 1578), who was originally from Roncone, and moved to Bivedo when he married Margherita Jori of that village in 1640. I have not yet established if or how these various Benini lines are related, but it seems plausible that they may have had a common patriarch named Benino at some point in the past.
BenuzziBenutiis; Benuci; Benuzi
BenvenutiBenevenuti; BenvenutoPatronymic surname derived from the male personal name 'Benvenuto', which means 'welcome'. It is widely dispersed throughout the province. Bertoluzza cites early versions of the surname appearing in records from the 1200s.
BerasiUnfortunately, Bertoluzza does not include the history of the surname Berasi in his 'Guida ai Cognomi del Trentino', and I cannot find an etymology for this surname in any my resources. Oddly, the only historical mention of the name I have found is from Sardinian linguistic historian Massimo Pittau, who says the surname appears in Sardinia -- some 500 miles away from Trentino -- as early as 1388. He also suggests it may be cognate with noble Latin name Verasius. In my own research, the surname Berasi appears almost exclusively in Marazzone in the parish of Santa Croce del Bleggio in Val Giudicarie, with a few families settling in other parts of the 'Quadra' area of that same parish (Marazzone, Larido, Bivedo and Cavaione). There is another surname 'Belasi' that appears around Tione and Arco (not far from Bleggio), but I have no evidence so far that the two surnames are related. The earliest Berasi I have found so far is a Bernardino Berasi, born roughly around 1550, who had at least three children in the 1580s-90s with his wife, Domenica. His son Domenico Berasi – born 18 December 1583 in Marazzone – is cited as being a master builder/mason ('maestro muratore') in parchment 46 from the parish of Santa Croce, dated 5 August 1631. As his father Bernardino was frequently called 'Magistri' and 'Maestro' in various records, it seems possible he was also a master builder. Domenico also appears in the parchment and other records with his soprannome, 'Paletti', perhaps connected to the word 'paletta', meaning shovel or trowel, alluding to his occupation. From 1987-2008, Bleggio-born environmentalist, peacemaker and politician Iva Berasi served as a Councillor both for the Municipality of Trento as well as Autonomous Province of Trento.
BerettaInfo to follow
BerlandaThere are several theories as to the origin of the surname Berlanda, but all agree it is surely of Germanic origin. To me, the most logical theory is proposed by linguistic historian Schneller, who believes it comes from the German personal name 'Berland', which became 'Berlanda' when it was adopted by Italian / Italian dialect speakers. We cannot ignore, however, that Berland is also a German surname, and it may well have come to Trentino as a surname.

Either way, on the question of meaning, however, things are less obvious. Suggestions from popular online culture say it comes from the term 'bär land' (pronounced like 'bear'), which means 'bear country' or a land where bears live. Another theory is that it refers to someone who came from the town of 'Brill' on the East Frisian peninsula in Germany. Still another theory is that it came from the Old German word 'walah', which means 'pilgrim'. Personally, I am not yet convinced of any of these theories.

Although Bertoluzza says the use of this surname in Trentino first sprang up in Cavedine and Vezzano, the oldest example he cites is a 'Berlandum' of Gavazzo (near Tenno) in 1406. In more recent centuries, the surname can be found in various parts of the province (mostly in the south), such as Cavedine, Madrano, Pergine and Riva, with some branches also in Mezzolombardo. The earliest Berlanda I have found in my own research so far is a Lorenzo Berlanda of Madrano (in the parish of Pergine), who was born sometime around 1660.
BernardeliInfo to follow
BernardiInfo to follow
Bernardi de ZettaInfo to follow
BernardinellaInfo to follow
BertagnolliBertagnoli; BertagnolOne of many patronymic surnames derived from the Germanic root 'Bert', meaning 'splendid, illustrious, famous', which appears in male personal names like Alberto, Adalberto, Roberto, Umberto, etc. Surnames with this root are widely dispersed throughout the province.

The surname Bertagnolli is found most prominently in Val di Non, in the parishes of Fondo (especially in Tret, where dates at least as far back as the early 1500s), as well as in Dambel, Brez and Vigo di Ton. In later centuries, we find it in appearing in Pergine, Mezzocorona, Sanzeno and other parts in the province.

In my research, I have seen the soprannome 'Sbab' or 'Sbobis' connected to one of the Bertagnolli lines in Tret, from the mid-1500s through the mid-1600s, and it often appears in records instead of the proper surname.

Several Bertagnolli were present at the drafting of the Carta di Regola for Fondo on 26 April 1727, where the surname is spelled 'Bertagnol'. These included an Antonio Bertagnolli (one of the 'saltari', or officials), another Antonio Bertagnolli, son of yet another Antonio (one of the 'regolani' or law-enforcers of Fondo), three Bertagnolli 'jurors', and several others listed as 'vicini' (official citizens of the comune).

Stenico mentions more than twenty priests with this surname, the majority of whom came from the parish of Fondo, the earliest being a Giacomo Bertagnolli who died in Fondo on 16 June 1738. A Francesco Bertagnolli of Fondo is cited as being a merchant when his daughter Cattarina marries on 29 April 1749.

Bertoluzza mentions many Bertagnolli of note, including economist and journalist Carlo Bertagnolli of Pergine (1843-1896), entrepreneur Franco Bertagnolli of Mezzocorona (1912-1985), and 20th century historian Massimiliano Bertagnolli.

In the world of art, 18th-century painter Giuseppe Bertagnolli of Fondo created two banner paintings for the church of Castelfondo in 1766.
BertarelliOne of dozens of surnames derived from the Germanic root 'Bert' (meaning 'splendid, illustrious, famous'), which appears in male personal names like Alberto, Adalberto, Roberto, Umberto, etc. The variant Bertarelli appears at least back to the early 1500s in Cavrasto in Val Giudicarie. I have also seen it in 19th century records in parts of Val Rendena.
BerteBertiOne of dozens of surnames derived from the Germanic root 'Bert' (meaning 'splendid, illustrious, famous'), which appears in male personal names like Alberto, Adalberto, Roberto, Umberto, etc. It is widely dispersed in different parts of the province, including Val di Non, and the parish of Tenno in Val Giudicare.
BertelliOne of dozens of surnames derived from the Germanic root 'Bert' (meaning 'splendid, illustrious, famous'), which appears in male personal names like Alberto, Adalberto, Roberto, Umberto, etc. This variant is a very old surname frequently found in the comune of Preore in Val Giudicarie, where many Bertelli were notaries. There is also a famous pasticceria (pastry shop) in the city of Trento called 'Bertelli'.
BertiBerteOne of dozens of surnames derived from the Germanic root 'Bert' (meaning 'splendid, illustrious, famous'), which appears in male personal names like Alberto, Adalberto, Roberto, Umberto, etc. It is widely dispersed in different parts of the province, including Val di Non, and the parish of Tenno in Val Giudicare.
Berti GentiliInfo to follow
BertiniOne of dozens of surnames derived from the Germanic root 'Bert' (meaning 'splendid, illustrious, famous'), which appears in male personal names like Alberto, Adalberto, Roberto, Umberto, etc. The surname Bertini is widely dispersed in various parts of the province.
BertolazziInfo to follow
BertoldiA medieval patronymic surname derived from the Germanic male personal name 'Bertoldo' or 'Bertaldo', which means 'splendid', 'illustrious' or 'renowned'. There is a village named 'Bertoldi' in the comune of Lavarone, which took its name from a family 'Bertoldi' who settled there. Until recently, the people of Lavarone spoke Cimbrian ('Cimbro' in Italian), a Germanic language of the Cimbri tribe, which is related the southern Bavarian dialect. The Cimbri have been present on the Italian peninsula since about 100 BC. Although their precise origin is unknown to us, historians theorise they came either from Saxon Germany or southern Denmark, similar to where the Longobards are believed to have originated. The fact that the Cimbri language is certainly Germanic, along with the fact that the Cimbri people have lived in Lavarone for a long time, both support the theory that the surname 'Bertoldi' is indeed Germanic. Historian P. Remo Stenico lists several notaries with this surname, dating back to the 1500s, from Arco, Casez, Denno, Samoclevo and Brentonico. He also lists nearly 80 priests who have had this surname over the centuries, some from the above places, as well as Brez, Pergine, Riva, Amblar, Sant'Orsola and others. The earliest appearance of the name 'Bertoldus' cited by linguistic historian Aldo Bertoluzza comes from a record from Arco dated 1225. The earliest Bertoldi I have personally found in my own research is a Donato Bertoldi of Tasini in the parish of Sant'Orsola (Valsugana), who was born around 1658, and died 21 November 1705. Today, the surname is found widely dispersed throughout the province.
BertoliniOne of dozens of surnames derived from the Germanic root 'Bert' (meaning 'splendid, illustrious, famous'), which appears in male personal names like Alberto, Adalberto, Roberto, Umberto, etc. The surname Bertolini is widely dispersed in various parts of the province, from Preore, Torbole and Tione in Val Giudicarie, to Romallo in Val di Non, and to the city of Trento itself.
BertoluzzaInfo to follow
BertucchiInfo to follow
BesenellaInfo to follow
BesenoInfo to follow
BessoliBessolInfo to follow
BettaSee detailed article Surname Spotlight: BETTA. Ancient Nobles of the Roman Empire?.
Betta del ToldoSee detailed article Surname Spotlight: BETTA. Ancient Nobles of the Roman Empire?.
Betta della BetaSee detailed article Surname Spotlight: BETTA. Ancient Nobles of the Roman Empire?.
Betta di MalgoloSee detailed article Surname Spotlight: BETTA. Ancient Nobles of the Roman Empire?.
BettanoInfo to follow
BettegaSurname found in and around Imer and Mezzano in Primiero. More info to follow.
BevilacquaComprised of the words 'bevi' and 'l'acqua', this surname literally means 'drink the water' (or 'you drink the water'). Bertoluzza is of the opinion that it was derived from a soprannome for someone who perhaps liked his wine a bit too much and was given this soprannome 'as an invitation to drink water' instead.

If Bertoluzza is correct, there must have been a lot of heavy drinkers throughout history, as Bevilacqua is not only one of the oldest surnames in Trentino, but it is also found in virtually every province of the Italian peninsula, most notably Veneto and Lombardia.

Bertoluzza cites a very early pre-surname in the form of one 'Petrus bibens acquam' (Pietro bevi l'acqua) from Cavedine in Valsugana in the year 1037. But its formal use as a surname is rooted in Val di Sole, appearing in Croviana as early as 1327 with an Antonio Bevilacqua of that village. In my own research, I have also seen the name well into the 1600s in Val di Non in places like Cavareno and Sanzeno. P. Remo Stenico lists dozens of Bevilacqua notaries and priests throughout the centuries, hailing mostly from Croviana, Malé and Termenago. Bertoluzza even cites the surname appearing in the late 1300s in the southern part of the province around near Lake Garda (Riva and Drò).

Tabarelli de Fatis says that one branch from Croviana settled in Malé at the beginning of the 1500s, and that on 25 April 1555, four men of this branch were granted permission to use a stemma (coat of arms): the priest Giovanni Bevilacqua (then the parish priest of Castelfondo) and his three nephews, Giovanni Felice, Giovanni Lorenzo and Lorenzo.

Historian Quirino Bezzi adds that this Malé family were granted noble status in 1564 by Prince Bishop Cristoforo Madruzzo in recognition of their service during various conflicts, including the so-called 'Rustic War' (Guerra Rustica) of 1525. Later, various members of the family were elevated to the rank of imperial nobility (nobles of the Holy Roman Empire).

Near the main altar of the medieval parish church Santa Maria Assunta in Malé, there is a tomb for one of the originally ennobled brothers, Giovanni Lorenzo Bevilacqua, a musician, who died as a young man.
The words on the tomb extol his virtues and says that he died at the age of 30 years, 2 months and 22 days on 25 October 1570. Thus, we can calculate his precise date of birth as 3 August 1540.
BezziBezOriginating in Val di Sole, the surname appears mainly in Ossana and Cusiano. Bertoluzza says it may be derived from the male personal name 'Bezzo'. Other authors suggest it may have come from the word 'bezzo', which was the name of an ancient small coin.
BianchiInfo to follow
BiasiInfo to follow
BilieniInfo to follow
BirtiInfo to follow
BisotaBisotta; BisottiNot of Trentini origin, and most likely from Venezia; links to ennobled family; extinct in Trentino today
BlasioliBiasioliInfo to follow
BleggiBlezziVery old surname derived from the place name 'Bleggio' in Val Giudicarie, indicating their place of origin. While not nobility, they are historically an affluent family of landowners, who have had a long and lasting presence in Bleggio, especially the village of Tignerone, as well as in Cilla', Sesto and Cavrasto. Bertoluzza says it appears as a surname in records as early as the early 1300s. Founded in 1780, the 'Azienda Agricola Dott. Carlo Bleggi' in Tignerone is a large family-run farm producing wines, apples, potatoes and the renowned 'noci di Bleggio', a type of local walnut. There is a large Bleggi family tomb in the cemetery in Tignerone. The oldest Bleggi I have identified so far are a Bartolomeo and Francesco of Cavrasto, and another Bartolomeo of Sesto, all born around 1515-1520.
BojagaInfo to follow
BolgiaInfo to follow
BolognaniInfo to follow
BologniniInfo to follow
BombardaBombardi; Bombardelli; Bombardini; Bombieri; BombieroOne of several surnames from the word 'bombarda', which refers to a military weapon like a cannon, used to hurls large stones or other projectiles in battle. As you might suspect, it is cognate with the English words 'bomb' or 'bombard'. While Bertoluzza doesn't specify, we might assume it was originally a soprannome given to a military person who worked with such weapons in some way. Although Bertoluzza says it originates in Val Giudicarie, he cites it in Valternigo (in Val di Non) in 1430.

In my own research, I have found the specific variant 'Bombarda' is prominent in the frazione of Cares in Val Giudicarie, where it appears at least as far back as the late 1400s. The earliest Bombarda I have identified so far is a Martino Bombarda of Cares, most likely born around 1485-1490, who is cited in a legal contract dated 24 Jan 1534, where he is hiring a master builder to perform renovations and repairs on the church of Santi Pietro e Paolo in Cares (if that is any indication of the age of that church!). We can assume from that document that he was most likely at least 40, as he not only has given the quotation for the work, but he is also cited as speaking for the other residents of the village.

The earliest priest with this surname cited by Stenico (whom I have also found in my own research) was a Girardo Bombarda of Cares (possibly the great-grandson of the Martino mentioned above), who appears in records in Santa Croce del Bleggio between 1590-1631. Stenico lists only one notary with this name, Giovanni Girardo Bombarda whose name appears in records between 1648 and 1673, but he offers no further information about him.
BombardelliBombarda; Bombardi; Bombardini; Bombieri; BombieroOne of several surnames from the word 'bombarda', which refers to a military weapon like a cannon, used to hurls large stones or other projectiles in battle. As you might suspect, it is cognate with the English words 'bomb' or 'bombard'. While Bertoluzza doesn't specify, we might assume it was originally a soprannome given to a military person who worked with such weapons in some way. Although Bertoluzza says it originates in Val Giudicarie, he cites it in Valternigo (in Val di Non) in 1430.

The specific variant Bombardelli appears most prominently around the parishes of Drena and Arco, north of Lago del Garda.
BombardiBombarda; Bombardelli; Bombardini; Bombieri; BombieroOne of several surnames from the word 'bombarda', which refers to a military weapon like a cannon, used to hurls large stones or other projectiles in battle. As you might suspect, it is cognate with the English words 'bomb' or 'bombard'. While Bertoluzza doesn't specify, we might assume it was originally a soprannome given to a military person who worked with such weapons in some way. Although Bertoluzza says it originates in Val Giudicarie, he cites it in Valternigo (in Val di Non) in 1430.

The specific variant Bombardi appears most prominently around Coredo in Val di Non. Stenico lists many Bombardi priests from that parish, the earliest being a Giovanni Antonio Bombardi, born 24 Jan 1605.
BomportiInfo to follow
BonacarneInfo to follow
BonacquistiInfo to follow
BonadimanOne of dozens of surnames derived from the medieval male personal name 'Bono', which comes from the Latin word for 'good', i.e. being of good character. A compound word, my person guess is that it means either 'good with his hands' (buona di mano) or is possibly a variant of 'buon domani' ('good tomorrow'). Bonadiman appears mostly in Val di Non and Val di Sole, most commonly in Cles and Revo'.
BonavidaOne of dozens of surnames derived from the medieval male personal name 'Bono', which comes from the Latin word for 'good', i.e. being of good character. A compound word (bona + vida), it means 'good life'.
BonazzaOne of dozens of surnames derived from the medieval male personal name 'Bono', which comes from the Latin word for 'good', i.e. being of good character. (more info to follow)
BondiBond; BontLorenzi says the surname is derived from the male personal name 'Abbondio', and that it has its origins in Val D'Adige. In my own research, I have found it to be a very old surname prevalent in the parish of Saone in Val Giudicarie, but it has also crossed into neighbouring parishes, such as Santa Croce, via marriage over time.
BonelliBonelli is found in Val di Fiemme, especially in Cavalese and Castello di Fiemme. It is one of dozens of surnames derived from the medieval male personal name 'Bono', which comes from the Latin word for 'good', i.e. being of good character. More info to follow.
BonentiOne of dozens of surnames derived from the medieval male personal name 'Bono', which comes from the Latin word for 'good', i.e. being of good character. While variants are widely dispersed throughout Trentino, 'Bonenti' seems to be most prominent in the parish of Bondo in Val Breguzzo.
BonesiOne of dozens of surnames derived from the medieval male personal name 'Bono', which comes from the Latin word for 'good', i.e. being of good character. (more info to follow)
BonettiOne of dozens of surnames derived from the medieval male personal name 'Bono', which comes from the Latin word for 'good', i.e. being of good character. (more info to follow)
BonfioliInfo to follow
BoniOne of dozens of surnames derived from the medieval male personal name 'Bono', which comes from the Latin word for 'good', i.e. being of good character. It is found in many parts of the province, including Val Giudicarie (e.g. Vigo Lomaso, Fiave'), and Val di Sole (e.g. Monclassico, Male')
BonmartiniInfo to follow
BonomiBonami; BonomoOne of dozens of surnames derived from the medieval male personal name 'Bono', which comes from the Latin word for 'good', i.e. being of good character. A compound word comprise of 'bon' plus 'omo' ('man'), it means 'a man of good character', although spelled with an 'a' (Bonami) it can also mean 'good friend'. Bonomi is a common surname in the frazione of Madice in the parish of Santa Croce Bleggio in Val Giudicarie. 'Bonomo' can be found in more northern parts of the province.
Bonora
BonportoInfo to follow
BontSurname found most commonly in Mezzano in Primiero. More info to follow.
BordognaInfo to follow
BorgaInfo to follow
BorghesiInfo to follow
BorgoInfo to follow
BornicoInfo to follow
BorsieriInfo to follow
BortolazziInfo to follow
BortolottiInfo to follow
BorzInfo to follow
BorzagaSee article 'The BORZAGA of Cavareno. Origins, Genealogy, Famous People' at https://trentinogenealogy.com/2022/08/borzaga-cavareno-genealogy-famous. Also available as a downloadable PDF from the Trentino Genealogy Digital Shop.
BorzattiInfo to follow
BorziInfo to follow
BorzoniInfo to follow
BosettiBosin, Boselli, Boso, BosinelliBertoluzza says this surname arose in Valsugana, and is a patronymic derived from the male personal name 'Boso' or 'Buoso', which is from the German word böse, which has the meaning 'evil, malevolent, hostile, enemy'. Variations of the surname are found as early as the 1200s.
BosinBoso, Boselli, Bosetti, BosinelliBertoluzza says this surname arose in Valsugana, and is a patronymic derived from the male personal name 'Boso' or 'Buoso', which is from the German word böse, which has the meaning 'evil, malevolent, hostile, enemy'. Variations of the surname are found as early as the 1200s.
BosioInfo to follow
Bossi FedrigottiInfo to follow
BotschInfo to follow
BottamediSurname found most commonly in Andalo, with other branches around Mezzolombardo. More info to follow.
BottesiInfo to follow
BozettaInfo to follow
BragaInfo to follow
BragadellaBragadellaBertoluzza says this surname is derived from the word 'braga' which means 'pantalone' or trousers. Sometimes seen spelled 'Bragadella', the surname Bragaldella appears prominently in Breguzzo.
BreisachInfo to follow
BrennaBrenaA surname of Lombardian origin, it is primarily found outside Trentino, especially in the provinces of Milano, Varese and Como, which some branches in other parts of Italy. Today, different branches of the family will sometimes distinguish themselves by spelling the surname 'Brena' or 'Brenna' but, in the past, these spellings were used interchangeably.

According to the Cognomix website, the surname may have been derived from either the place name 'Brenna' in the province of Como, or Brenno Useria in the province of Varese. They suggest it could also have been derived from the Celtic name 'Brennus', which means 'head' (as in the head of a family or other group), or from the archaic dialect term 'brenna', which means 'rack' or a 'manger'. I find it interesting they mention the Celtic name, as 'Brennan' is a common surname in Ireland.

The first Brenna I've found in Trentino is Carlo 'Giuseppe' Brenna, son of Antonio, who moved from his home in the province of Milano in Lombardia to the parish of Vigo Lomaso in Val Giudicarie sometime in the late 1700s, apparently working in some government position. After marrying Lucia Pernici of Campo Lomaso on 29 May 1791, he and his wife moved to the village of Cavrasto in the parish of Santa Croce del Bleggio, where they had at least four sons who went on to marry and have children of their own, settling in the frazioni of Cavrasto and Madice. Their descendants are still living in Bleggio today; thus, all the Brenna in Bleggio are descended from couple.

In the 1920s, Omobono Luigi Brenna (born in Madice, 3 Nov 1896), the 3X great-grandson of the original Brenna couple, emigrated to Argentina with his wife and daughters in the 1920s. There was also a short-lived Brenna line in Rovereto circa 1820-1840, but the surname seems to have died out there. I do not know if this family was related to the Bleggio line.
BrentarBrentariBertoluzza says this surname refers to someone who makes a popular kind of wooden vase called a 'brenta'. So far in my own research, I have found this surname as far back as the mid-1700s in the parish of Sarnonico, in Val di Non. More info to follow.
BresadolaInfo to follow
Bresciani BorsaInfo to follow
BressaniBressan, BrescianiThis surname means 'from Brescia', a province in Lombardia (Lombardy). Thus, this surname indicates the family originally came from Brescia, although they may have lived in Trentino for many centuries. Its origins in Trentino are around Arco and Riva del Garda, which are closest to the province of Brescia. Bertoluzza cites a 'Brexanus ad Arco' ('Bresciani of Arco') as early as 1196.
BressaniniInfo to follow
BrezioInfo to follow
BridaInfo to follow
BridoloInfo to follow
BriosiBertoluzza believes this surname comes from dialect words 'bria' or 'braida', which have the same meaning as 'briglia', or a horse's bridle. Another theory comes from historian Ernesto Lorenzi, who believes the surname is derived from the male personal name Ambrogio (Ambrose in English), most frequently associated with Saint Ambrose, the 4th-century bishop of Milan regarded as one of the four original Doctors of the Church. Bertoluzza says the surname originates in the area around Arco and Riva del Garda, but I have also seen the surname prominently in the parishes of Cologna-Gavazzo, Tenno, Santa Croce del Bleggio and Vigo Lomaso. The earliest Briosi cited by Bertoluzza is a Michele Briosi, a canonico (cathedral priest who recites the liturgy) in the city of Trento, active around 1499. The earliest Briosi I have found so far in my own research is an Antonio Briosi, also referred to as 'fabroferraio' (a master blacksmith), who was born around 1520 in the frazione of Favrio in the parish of Vigo Lomaso, and later moved to Cavrasto in the parish Santa Croce del Bleggio, where his descendants still flourish today.
BrocchettiBrochetti, Brocchetta, Brochetta, BrocheteBertoluzza says the surname is derived from the dialect word 'broca' which refers to a small nail. Tabarelli says the family were probably originally from Val di Ledro but settled in Cavrasto in Val Giudicarie (the place with which they are most frequently associated) in present-day parish of Santa Croce del Bleggio, sometime in the second half of the 1400s, but notary records indicate they were probably in Cavrasto at least a century earlier. They were awarded the title of nobility prior to the year 1500. Orazio Brocchetti, Doctor of Law, was given citizenship of the city of Trento on 16 June 1612, and Francesco Girolamo Brocchetti was the Vicario of Stenico and Podestà of Riva del Garda in 1730. The title of imperial nobility was granted on 20 February 1766 by Holy Roman Emperor Josef II to the brothers Girolamo and Giuliano Brocchetti. The earliest Brocchetti men I have found from Cavrasto were Rocco, Antonio, Melchiore and Simone, all most likely born around the first decade of the 1500s. The Brocchetti name has also long been associated with the profession of the notary (notaio). P. Remo Stenico cites an Eleuterio, son of the late Antonio, son of the late Eleuterio 'Brocchetta' of Cavrasto, whose notary seal appears as early as 1468, meaning the elder Eleuterio of Cavrasto would have been born in the 1300s.
Brocchetti von BrunnenfeldInfo to follow
BrognoliInfo to follow
BrugnoliInfo to follow
BrunOne of many of surnames derived from the root 'brun'. Of Germanic origin, this word has the same meaning (and is linguistically related to) the word 'brown' in English. Bertoluzza offers two different possible origins of these surnames. He first suggests that it is derived from a soprannome used to describe someone who had a brownish complexion, hair or beard. The other possibility he offers is that it comes from the Germanic male personal name 'Bruno', which has the meaning 'armoured'. More info to follow.
BrunatiBrunattiOne of many of surnames derived from the root 'brun'. Of Germanic origin, this word has the same meaning (and is linguistically related to) the word 'brown' in English. Bertoluzza offers two different possible origins of these surnames. He first suggests that it is derived from a soprannome used to describe someone who had a brownish complexion, hair or beard. The other possibility he offers is that it comes from the Germanic male personal name 'Bruno', which has the meaning 'armoured'. The specific surname Brunati appears prominently in the parish of Vigo Lomaso in Val Giudicarie, as well as in Tenno and Rovereto.
BrunelliBrunel; Bruneli; BrunelloOne of many of surnames derived from the root 'brun'. Of Germanic origin, this word has the same meaning (and is linguistically related to) the word 'brown' in English. Bertoluzza offers two different possible origins of these surnames. He first suggests that it is derived from a soprannome used to describe someone who had a brownish complexion, hair or beard. The other possibility he offers is that it comes from the Germanic male personal name 'Bruno', which has the meaning 'armoured'. While there are several surnames based on this root appearing throughout the province, the surname Brunelli appears predominantly in Val Giudicarie, especially in the parishes of Santa Croce del Bleggio and Tavodo, although it can also be found in and near the cities of Trento and Riva del Garda, and other diverse places. Bertoluzza cites a Manfredino Brunelli living in Bleggio in 1305. A woodland ordinance in the parish parchments for Santa Croce dated 19 April 1506 mentions a Nicolo' Brunelli, son of 'the late Brunello' of Rango (so this Brunello most likely lived in Rango sometime between 1440-1506). As families tended to repeat male names through the generations, perhaps the Rango Brunelli surname means 'the descendants of Brunello', referring to an ancestor of the Manfredino mentioned by Bertoluzza. I suspect the branch in Tavodo parish may also be related to the Santa Croce Brunelli, but I have not yet established this link. There were several historic Brunelli notaries, included Antonio Tommaso Brunelli of Senaso (in San Lorenzo in Banale), who operated between 1764–1806, and Giacomo Brunelli of Rango (son of Nicolo' mentioned above), who was also the Vicario and Judge of the County of Arco in the mid-1500s.
BucelleniInfo to follow
BuffaInfo to follow
BuffiBuffoDerived from a soprannome referring to someone comical or amusing. While it appears in various parts of the province, Buffi is an important, ancient family in the village of Saone in Val Giudicarie. The late Silvia Marchiori Scalfi wrote an important historical monograph about this family called 'I Buffi di Saone', which includes family trees of (birth years only) through the early 19th century. The Buffi family were active Councillors of the Community of Saone at least from the 1500. They also produced many priests throughout the centuries. Although not originally a family of notaries, several Buffi notaries appear during the 1700s, from a now-defunct branch of the family known as Buffi-Fontana. The oldest Buffi I have traced so far is Bonapace Buffi, whom I estimate was born around 1440, and was still alive in 1506.
BuoninsegnaLiterally 'good sign'. More info to follow.
BurgoInfo to follow
BurratiBurratti; BurattiInfo to follow
BusettiOriginally from Rallo (Val di Non) where they are documented at least as far back 1337, the Busetti surname was once widely dispersed throughout the province (especially in the north), in places such as Rallo (in the comune/parish of Tassullo), Revo', Tuenno, Torra, Taio, Denno, Sanzeno, Ala, and the city of Trento.

Linguistically, Bertoluzza says the surname is based on the root 'bus', with the meaning of a hole or fissure. He also says that some authors say it is derived from the male personal name 'Bocio' or 'Bucio'.

The family had several noble titles throughout the centuries. On 2 June 1502, the title of Nobility of the Holy Roman Empire was awarded by Emperor Carlo V to Giovanni, son of Giovanni Battista Busetti, and to Giovanni Cristoforo, son of the late Giacomo Busetti. Later, on 24 Oct 1567, Emperor Massimiliano II gave this same title to Matteo and Pietro Busetti, and to Pietro's son Matteo Cristoforo. Later, Prince Bishop Carlo Emanuele Madruzzo awarded ecclesiastical nobility to Giovanni Battista Busetti (19 June 1604) and Carlo Busetti (5 December 1656). These dates are from Tabarelli de Fatis, but he doesn't say where these Busetti lived (I presume Rallo).

Of historical people of note, Bertoluzza mentions Cristoforo Busetti (born in Rallo ca. 1540), who was the first Trentino poet to write in the Italian language. In addition to being a rhyming master, he was also a jurist and court official.

P. Remo Stenico lists 25 priests who had this surname dating back into the 1500s, as well as 22 Busetti notaries, the earliest being Giacomo, son of Giovanni Busetti of Rallo, whose name appears in documents as early as 1479.
One notary, a Francesco Floriano Busetti was born in Rallo, but moved to Romallo in the early 1700s, starting a branch of the family there. Other Busetti lines were already living in Revo', however; In my own research, the earliest Busetti I have traced so far is the Cristoforo Busetti, born around 1660 in Revo', who is cited as nobility in documents at least as early as 1721.

Today, the surname has nearly disappeared in both Tassulo and Revo', and is now far less common in Trentino than in neighbouring regions of Lombardia and Veneto. I have no information on if / how those families are related to the ancient Trentino lines.
Busio CastellettiInfo to follow
ButalossiInfo to follow
ButteriniInfo to follow
CaldaraFor linguistic origin and definition, see 'Caldera'. More info to follow.
CalderaBertoluzza says the dialect word 'caldara' is equivalent to the Italian word 'caldaia', which refers to a boiler, furnace or some sort of heater for the home (derived from the word caldo, which means 'hot'). He says that surnames derived from this word most likely referred to a man who was a craftsman at making heaters, such as 'stufe', which are large ceramic furnaces used for heating homes.

The surname is present in other regions besides Trentino-Alto Adige, and is actually more commonly found in Lombardia and Piemonte. In Trentino, Bertoluzza says the surname originates in Val Giudicarie, citing an early version of it with a 'Pietro, calderario of Creto' in 1221. Author Carlo Alberto degli Onorati believes the Giudicarie Caldera, who lived mainly in Madice in Bleggio for many centuries, are descended from the Signori of Campo, coming from the line of Alberto, called 'Caldera' (spelled 'Candere' in some books), who died in 1338.

Alberto 'Caldera' Campo was the 4X great-grandson of the founder of the Campo dynasty, Odorico. Degli Onorati tells us that we don't know whether this line was legitimate or illegitimate. Sadly, he does not give any evidence of a connection between the two families, other than an inferential similarity between Alberto's soprannome and the Caldera surname. Tabarelli de Fatis does not mention the Campo in his brief entry on the Caldera. While we do know the Campo were in this part of the Giudicarie during this era (see 'Campo' for more on this powerful family), without more concrete evidence, I would be hesitant to take this as more than a theory for now.

Regardless of their ancestry, we do know that the Caldera had the title of 'rural nobility' before the year 1500. Degli Onorati says the family enjoyed all the privileges of nobility until a thunderbolt hit the frazione of Madice in 1700, which burned down the Palazzotto dei Caldera ('Great Palace' or 'Mansion' of the Caldera). He says the family were wiped out in this historic fire, but this is not correct, as they are not listed amongst the deceased in the priest's account of this tragedy in the Santa Croce parish death records (see the surname 'Mazza' for information about this fire). Perhaps he just means they were no longer wealthy, having lost their assets. Besides, the Caldera surname continues to this day in Bleggio, as well as in other parts of the province, including Trento, Lavis, Cavedine and Stenico.

Stenico lists two 18th century priests with the surname Caldera, and two from the 20th century, one of whom is don Livio M. Caldera of Madice, the author of one of the definitive histories of the parish, La Pieve Del Bleggio Nella Storia e Nell'Arte. He also cites a Vigilio Caldera of Madice, who was a notary of Castle Stenico, active around 1626.

Thus far in my own research, the earliest Caldera I have identified are a Domenico and Paride Caldera, possibly brothers, who were both born in Madice around 1520.
CalderariFor linguistic origin and definition, see 'Caldera'. More info to follow.
CalderiniFor linguistic origin and definition, see 'Caldera'. More info to follow.
CalderoniFor linguistic origin and definition, see 'Caldera'. In early records, the surname Calderoni appears in Predazzo in Val di Fiemme. P. Remo Stenico cites several Calderoni notaries of Predazzo, the earliest being a Giovanni Antonio Calderoni, who worked around 1663. He also lists two Calderoni priests from Predazzo: a Francesco Calderoni from the 1600s (no further information about him), and a Giovanni Battista Calderoni who died in 1819 at the age of about 80. On the Nati in Trentino website, all the Calderoni I have found came from Rovereto. (Please note that I have not yet personally researched this surname).
CaldonazziToponymic surname referring to someone who came from the village/area of Caldonazzo in Valsugana.
CaliariCaliar; Calliari; Cagliari; Caliary; CalegaroSurname derived from a soprannome related to arts and crafts, in particular that of the 'calzolaio', i.e. cobblers or shoemakers. As such, it is widely dispersed in virtually every corner of the province. Bertoluzza says nascent forms of the name show up in documents as early as 1205, with an 'Enrico Caligarius' of Terlago.

Stenico lists numerous Caliari priests (in various spellings), coming from Volano, Mezzolombardo, Mezzocorona, Romeno, Termeno, Castellano, Fiavé and various villages in Bleggio.

In my own research, I have found the surname from Val di Non to Val Giudicarie, and especially in and around the area of Cavrasto and the 'Quadra' area of Santa Croce del Bleggio. The earliest Caliari I have found so far was an Ognibene Caliari of Cavrasto, most likely born around 1520, and who died 1580-1581.
CaloviCalovin; Calovini; ColovinaBertoluzza says he is unsure of the linguistic origins of this surname, but its place of origin is Val di Non. I have found it in the comune of Livo as early as the beginning of the 1700s, but it is most likely much older. Today the spelling 'Calovini' is extremely rare in the province of Trentino, but Calovi is still found in many places in the northern part of the province, especially around Faedo and Mezzocorona.
CaloviniCalovino; Callovini; CalovinSurname associated mainly with Fondo in Val di Non, where it dates back at least to the mid-1500s. At various times, it has also be found in Livo and Cloz (where it is now extinct). CLICK HERE to read about the history of the CALOVINI in Cloz.
CalvettiInfo to follow
CanestriniCanestrin; ChenistrinoCLICK HERE to read about the history of the CANESTRINI of Cloz and Revo', who were originally from Lombardia, but came to Val di Non around the end of the 1500s. Later, the surname now also appeared other parts of the province, including Trento, Rovereto and Tenno.
CappelloFound in the parish of Grigno. More info to follow.
CapuzAncient surname from the parish of Brez (Val di Non), which is now extinct. More info to follow.
CarbonareCarbonari (USA)Carbonare is an occupational surname meaning Charcoal maker. Author Giulia Anzilotti tells us that the word is originally Cimbri (Germanic).

While I have not yet researched this surname in depth, I found a Carbonare family who moved from Anterivo (South Tyrol) to Castello di Fiemme in mid 1800s, when a Luigi Simone Carbonare of Anterivo married Marianna Zorzi of Stramentizzo in 1854. However, his paternal grandmother (Margherita Taverner) from Capriana (still in Val di Fiemme), where there is apparently a frazione called Carbonare, where charcoal making families used to live. I have not yet found any reference to this occupation there so far, so it is likely to be further in the past than I have researched so far.
CaresaniBertoluzza says this surname derived from the frazione 'Cares' (pronounced 'CAH-res') in Bleggio in Val Giudicarie, meaning 'someone from the village of Cares'. He cites the term 'de Cares' as early as 1155. In my own research, however, all the Caresani who lived between the early 1500s and 1600s lived in the 'Quadra' area of Bleggio (the frazione of Larido, Cavaione, Marazzone and Bivedo) and Marcè, with later families (1700s through 20th century) settling in Madice and Cavrasto. In fact, I haven't found a single instance of a Caresani family living in Cares. Consistent with my observations, Stenico lists several Caresani priests, all of whom came from Madice or Cavrasto, the earliest appearing in records around the year 1759. Once could argue that the surname refers to the fact the family lived in Cares before the 1500s, but again the evidence does not support this, as the family were not consistently (if at all) referred to as Caresani before the mid-1600s, but rather by other surnames such as 'Bellotti', 'Sauleri'(?) and (most frequently) 'Bella'. Thus, while Bertoluzza's etymology would make sense linguistically, historical documentation does not seem to support it.
CaresiaSurname appearing in various parts of the central and southern part of the province, from the Arco area, to Rovereto and the city of Trento. More info to follow.
Carlide CarliOne of several patronymic surnames derived from the male personal name 'Carlo' (equivalent to Karl in German; Charles in French and English), which Bertoluzza says means, 'a man free of feudal constraints but devoid of any good inheritance'. The specific variant 'Carli' is widely dispersed throughout the province, and is especially found in Val Giudicarie (Vigo Lomaso, Fiavè, Tavodo) and Val Rendena, while both 'Carli' and 'de Carli' are found mostly in and around the city of Trento. While not a surname I have researched extensively, I have found 'Carli' in the parish of Vigo Lomaso back to the mid-1600s.
CarmelliniInfo to follow
CarnessaliCarnesaliSurname found most prominently in the parish of Vigo Lomaso in Val Giudicarie. (Most info to follow).
CasagrandeCasagrandaLiterally 'big house', the surname refers to someone who came from a big house or was a person of means. Bertoluzza says it originates in Pergine and Civezzano and can sometimes be seen in its Latin form 'Domo Magna'. It also appears prominently in the parishes of Bedollo, Villazzano, Nogaré, Madrano and other places.

Stenico lists over 30 priests who had the surname Casagrande over the centuries, the earliest being a Domenico Casagrande who appears in documents in 1494, although he does not say where. The next oldest he records is a Pietro Giuseppe Casagrande of Bedollo, who died in 1678 at the age of 33 (so, born about 1645).

While I haven't yet researched this family in detail, the earliest Casagrande I have so far identified who were married with children are Antonio and Vettore Casagrande, both born in Bedollo around 1750.
CasanovaLiterally 'New house'. Family from Preghena in Val di Non. Thus far in my own research, the earliest Casanova I had identified is Simone Casanova, who was most likely born sometime around 1630. More info to follow.
CasariCasarThere are two main theories regarding the linguistic origin of the surname Casari. Bertoluzza believes it is an occupational surname, derived from the word cascinaio, which means 'cheesemaker'. In contrast, Lorenzi believes it is a patronymic surname, derived from the man's personal name Casario (Casarius in Latin). Now rarely seen, this personal name appears in Trentino records in the late 1200s and early 1300s. My personal feeling it to lean towards Lorenzi's theory.

Bertoluzza says the surname originated in Val di Non, as well as in Valli di Fiemme e Fassa. I have not personally researched the surname in Valli di Fiemme e Fassa, but in Val di Non, Casari is historically associated almost exclusively with the parish of Smarano, where I have found at least as far back as the late 1600s. Sadly, the parish church of Santa Maria Assunta in Smarano suffered from at least two fires over the centuries (in 1759 and 1868), which is most likely why the there are no surviving baptismal records for Smarano before the year 1718, and no marriages before 1755. The death records, however, go back to 1696.

In later centuries, the surname appears in other parts of the province, including Coredo, Molina di Ledro, Romeno, Ronzo-Chienis, Rovereto, Sporminore, Termon (in Campodenno), and Vigo di Fassa.

Stenico lists six priests with the surname Casari, all from Smarano and Vigo di Fassa, and all alive between the 18th and 20th centuries. The earliest of these was Filippo Casari of Smarano, who died on 25 October 1786, at the age of 61.

Weber mentions two artists of note who bore the Casari surname. The first is painter and musician Alberto Casari of Rovereto, who painted the drawing room in Casa Tacchi in Rovereto, and other works in Isera. He is said to have died sometime around 1860.

The second artist is Bernardo Casari, who, in 1805, painted an altarpiece in the church of Sant'Anna in Fonti di Rabbi (also called 'Acidule di Rabbi') representing the Madonna of the Rosary, with Santa Teresa (although one source says Santa Cattarina), San Domenico, and San Luigi Gonzaga. Weber does not say where he originated.
CastellazzoCastelaz; Castellazzi;From the word 'castello' meaning 'castle'. The variant 'Castellazzo' is found most commonly in and around Mezzano in Primiero, with other branches in Castelnuovo Valsugana. More info to follow.
CatherinCattarin; Cattarini; CatterinMost likely a matronymic from the female personal name Cattarina. This surname appears in the 1586 'Capitoli per il gaggio comune di Sarnonico e Ronzone', a charter of rules for the use of natural resources of Sarnonico and Ronzone. In that document, we find the names of Antonio and Vigilio Catherin, both of Sarnonico. More info to follow.
CattaniSurname appearing in the comune of Denno. More info to follow.
CaturanaCatarana; Chataranainfo to follow
Cauosinfo to follow
CavadinoCavalino; Cavadiniinfo to follow
CazzoliCazzolliBertoluzza presents three theories on the origins of this surname. Of these, I think there are two feasible hypotheses (I think the third is too far-fetched). One is by Lorenzi who proposes it is derived from the ancient personal name 'Cazzufo', which comes from the Celtic word cazzo, which refers to a kind of flatbread. Another thought is that it comes from the dialect word 'cazzol' which means 'ladle'. It if is the latter, 'Cazzoli' would refer to someone who made and/or sold ladles or other similar household tools. Personally, I think this latter theory is the most probable. The surname appears most prominently in the parish of Tione in Val Giudicarie, as well as in nearby Tenno and Riva del Garda.
Cenniinfo to follow
CescoCeschiMost likely a toponymic surname derived from the dialect word for 'church'. While I haven't yet researched this name in detail, it seems it may be a contracted form of the surname 'Dallachiesa', both of which are found in the parish of Castelfondo in Val di Non.
CescoliniInfo to follow. Thus far, I have found this surname in the parish of Cloz back to the mid-1600s.
ChellerKeller; Cheler; Chellari; ChelariSee 'Keller'
ChemelliChemetti; Chemini; Cheminotti; Chemolli; Chemotti; Chimelli; Chiminolli; ChemuzziOne of many patronymic surnames derived from the root 'Chem', short for 'Jachem', which is the old Latin version of the male personal name Giacomo (equivalent of James in English). The suffix 'elli' makes it a diminutive form, meaning it may have referred to the descendants of a Giacomo who was either younger or smaller in stature than another Giacomo at the time. Other variations, widely dispersed throughout the province, include Chemetti, Chemini, Cheminotti, Chemolli, Chemotti, Chimelli, Chiminolli and Chemuzzi. Bertoluzza cites variants appearing in documents as early as 1438. In my own research, I have found the surname Chemelli in the areas of San Lorenzo in Banale (parish of Tavodo) and Pastoedo, (parish of Tenno) back to the 1600s, Chemotti in Zuclo (parish of Tione) back to the 1700s, and Chemuzzi in the frazione of Duvredo (parish of Santa Croce del Bleggio) in the late 1400s.
Cherottiinfo to follow
ChiloviChelodiBertoluzza says this is one of a few surnames that were most likely derived from the antiquated male name 'Chelo', which was a variant of the name 'Michele'. The specific variation 'Chilovi' has its origins in Val di Non and appears most frequently in Taio. Bertluzza says it is related to the surname 'Chelodi', which was originally a soprannome from Val di Fiemme and Val di Fassa (although 'Chelodi', he says, might have been derived from the name of a place.
ChinoKinoInfo to follow
ChiocchettiChiochetti; ChiochetWhile historians disagree about the origins of this surname, Ernesto Lorenzi (quoted by Aldo Bertoluzza) says the surname Chiochetti was derived from 'Cloche', the name of a locality in Val di Fassa and/or Val di Fiemme, and refers to a family who came from that locality. In support of this theory, Beroluzza cites that there was a man named 'Bonaventura de Cloche' appearing in records for that area in the year 1378.
Chiste'Info to follow
ChiusoleVery old surname derived from the village with the same name in Villa Lagarina. More info to follow.
Cilianainfo to follow
CilladiCilla' (also Endrici; see below)Surname of a wealthy, noble family derived from the homonymous locality and palazzo of Cilla' in the parish of Santa Croce del Bleggio in Val Giudicarie. Bertoluzza says the name Cilla' first appears in documents around the beginning of the 1300s, but Lorenzi, in his Dizionario Toponomastico Trentino cites a document from 1223 that mentions an 'Orlando of Cilla'. The family were famous for their military contributions, and produced several captains and colonels, as well as one general in the imperial army. A diploma dated 1304 granted the title of nobility to 'Captain Gian Maria Cilladi' and to all 'the descendants of the house of Endrici of Bono (Bono is another frazione in the parish of Bleggio)'. Bleggio historian Livio Caldera cites a document from 1307 where the Bishop Bartolomeo Querini awarded a feudal property to a Giovanni of Cilla', where he also refers to the family as 'Endrici'. This is significant, as the Cilla' family were originally known as Endrici (occasionally spelled Endrizzi), and the palazzo of Cilla' was, built by this Endrici family. In my research, I have seen the names Cilla' and Endrici used almost interchangeably in records through the early 1600s, and some Cilla' branches of the family retained 'Endrici' as a soprannome into the 1700s. Caldera suggests that the surname was derived from the head of the family (from Bono) who was named Enrico. The earliest of the Bono Endrici I have found so far is the notary Guglielmo Endrici of Bono, born around 1440. A Colonel Lodovico Onofrio of Cilla' received another title of nobility on 17 April 1571 from Massimiliano II, Emperor of the Holy Roman Empire, as a reward for his loyalty and services rendered. As Lodovico died without having any male heirs, the title of nobility was later transferred his son-in-law, a member of the family of Manincor. The family fortune seems to have been 'up for grabs' for a while, as we find the Carmellini family residing in the palazzo through the late 1500s, and Gaspare of the noble Genetti family of Castelfondo in Val di Non moved into the palace when he married Cattarina Carmellini in 1609. Tabarelli De Fatis says the Cilla'/Cilladi surname went extinct in the second half of the 19th century, but I know via personal correspondence that it still survives amongst families who immigrated to destinations outside of province of Trento, including Piemonte and the United States.
CillerZillerinfo to follow
Civetiniinfo to follow
ClauserKlauserThe suffix '-er' is a Germanic ending indicating someone is connected to or comes from a particular place (e.g. 'Berliner' means 'someone from Berlin'). Bertoluzza says Clauser is the German equivalent of the Italian words 'dalla chiusa', which means 'of the closed', referring to a 'closed or restricted villa', and thus means 'someone from the closed villa'. However, he also says the surname is connected to the comune of Cloz (Val di Non), and that the German farmsteads above that paese were called 'Clauser'. Knowing this, my personal thought is the most obvious meaning/origin of the name is simply 'a citizen/resident of Cloz'. Another theory is it is simply derived from the German male personal name 'Klaus'. While predominantly in Val di Non, variants (which may or may not be related) appear in other parts of the province. Despite the possible Cloz connection, the Clauser have lived many centuries in Romallo in Val di Non, with many Clausers (and their fathers) mentioned in the Carta di Regola (laws/rules) for the comune of Romallo on 24 April 1598.
ColliniOne of dozens of patronymic surnames derived from the male personal name Nicolo' or Nicola, meaning 'victorious or excelling among people'. The variant 'Collini' appeas frequently in Val Rendena, especially around Pinzolo, Borzago and Spiazzo.
ColmanetColmanettoIn my own research, I have found 'Colmanet' in the parish of Mezzano in Primiero in the mid-1700s. It may now be extinct in Trentino, but it still appears in other northern provinces (mostly in Veneto, but also in Piemonte, Liguria, and Lombardia), which suggests it may be of Veneto origin. I have not yet been able to find any linguistic history of this surname, but I suspect it could be a derivation of the Germanic surname 'Kolman', but that is just a guess.
Colo'ColaOne of dozens of patronymic surnames derived from the male personal name Nicolo' or Nicola, meaning 'victorious or excelling among people'. Bertoluzza suggests the variant 'Cola' could indicate descendants of a female named Nicoletta, most probably inspired by Saint Nicola da Bari. I have found the version 'Colo' most frequently appearing in Preore in Val Giudicarie, and in various places in Val di Ledro.
ColognaDerived from the Latin word 'colonia', and transmuted into the dialect work 'cologn', the word Cologna means 'colony' or 'settlement'. As it is a somewhat generic term, the place name 'Cologna' crops up in various parts of the province, including Castelfondo, Tenno (north of Lago di Garda), Coredo, and Pieve di Bono. However, the only one of these in which the place name 'Cologna' evolved into a surname is Castelfondo. Like so many other toponymic surnames (those derived from the name of a place), the name of the family and the homestead called 'Cologna' were more or less synonymous during the medieval era.

Although we find Cologna right at the beginning of the parish records for Castelfondo that start in 1567, we know the family was there much farther back in time. The oldest surviving house in Castelfondo in 'Maso Cologna', the house / homestead of the family known as Cologna, which historian Donato Clementi says is cited in a document dated 1404 (although he does not tell us the name of the document). In this document, he tells us, the Cologna family 'of time immemorial' were never to be bound to the taxation and duties owed to the castle as the other residents of Castelfondo were, presumably because it was generally accepted the Cologna had resided there long before the medieval Lords of the castle had risen to power.

Clementi further states that the Cologna family were considered 'very ancient' rural nobility, entitled to the privileges of the same. He believes this reference links them to Roman origins, but in my own research, I have found that the term 'ancient/old nobility' in Trentino can refer to any family believed to have been ennobled before the start of the Holy Roman Empire (800 AD). It seems many families referred to as 'ancient nobility' were awarded titles during the era of the Longobards (ca. 500-800 AD), and not during Roman rule.

By the 1500s, the family had expanded from the homestead of Cologna into other frazioni in the parish, such as Dovena, Raina, Melango and Castelfondo (the area near the church). In a parchment (pergamena) in the archives of the parish of di San Nicolo' in Castelfondo dated 9 October 1586, we find a Giovanni Cologna, son of the late Pietro of Castelfondo, along with a Giovanni Runer, selling some property with fruit trees and a farming field in Raina, as well as a house in Melango, to the parish church. This gives us some evidence of their land ownership in various parts of the parish during that era.

There are numerous soprannomi for the Cologna, which become crucial factors in genealogical research, as the family was so prolific. The 1736 Carta di Regola (Charter of Rules) for Castelfondo mentions several Cologna householders present at the drafting of the document, many of whom are referred to with their soprannomi, as indicated by the word 'detto' (meaning 'called'), including 'Runer', 'Mongat', 'Cat' and 'Tollin'. Other Cologna soprannomi I have found include 'Toran', 'Gentilin' and 'Massenza'.

Historian Paolo Gius mentions three Cologna priests from the parish of Castelfondo: Cipriano Cologna, a primissario, who died at the age of 45 on 21 February 1739, Francesco Cipriano Cologna of Dovena, who died in 1791, and the Capuchin friar 'Vittore' Cologna (but baptised Emilio Giuseppe), also of Dovena, who was born 15 November 1884 and died 13 August 1950. Stenico also tells us of a priest named Dario Cologna of Castelfondo, who was born 18 January 1928 and was alive at the time of the publication of his book in the year 2000.

Gius also lists several Cologna women (deceased at the time of publication in 1973) who were part of the religious order, including an Elena, Virginia and Erminia (but he gives no information about them), as well as Maria (born 2 Jan 1871), Oliva (born 6 June 1879), and Giulia Cologna (born 24 May 1881), who were the sisters of the above-mentioned Friar Vittore Cologna.
Colturainfo to follow
CominiCominaSee detailed article: The COMINI of Val di Sole. Ancestry, Nobility, and Challenges of Research..
ComperCamper; Compar; Gamper; Gomper; KumperBertoluzza and Anzilotti say this surname is a toponymic, derived from the frazione Comperi (also spelled Camperi) in Terragnolo, which lies east of Rovereto. As to the origins of the place name itself, there are several theories. Anzilotti says it is derived from the dialect word 'gamp', which means, 'the space in front of the farmhouse'. Bertoluzza suggests that the word camper referred to guardia campestre, which is the term for a 'hayward', i.e. a ranger or guard in charge of protecting an enclosed forest area. Historian Christina Schneller believes is derived from the Germanic male personal name 'Gombert'. Stenico cites several 18th-century Comper notaries employed by the Giudizio of Rovereto, as well as several Comper priests from the 18th and 19th centuries, mostly from Besenello and Calliano (north of Rovereto). In my own research, the earliest Comper I have found so far is a Paolo Comper in the frazione of Giazzera in the parish Trambileno (again, near Rovereto), who was most likely born around 1645.
CorazzaCorazzini, Corazzola, Corazzolla, Corrazzola, CoraziBertoluzza says this surname was a soprannome originally derived from the name of a kind of ancient protective armour, worn during battle. Originating in Val di Non, the earliest incident of the surname he cites is from the year 1498, with a Giovanni Corazi of Cogolo. In my own research, I have found it most frequently in Salobbi (Arsio e Brez) and Castelfondo. The earliest Corazza I have found so far was a Pietro Corazza, born around 1645 in the frazione of Raina in the parish of Castelfondo.
CordinSpecifically Cordin of Fondo. See 'Cordini'.
CordiniCordin; Cordina; CoradiniWhile Bertoluzza says this surname is derived from a medieval soprannome 'Bonacordi', Paolo Inama tells us this is a patronymic surname derived from the male personal name 'Accordino', which is often seen shortened to 'Cordino'. Although Inama's interpretation appears to be more accurate historically, the general meaning of both names is 'agreeable' or 'having an agreeable nature'.

Originally from Taio in Val di Non, Inama tells us that their surname was occasionally spelled 'Coradini' in records from the early 1500s, which caused some people to think there were two different families with a similar surname living in Taio. But while the Cordini of Taio take their surname from their ancient forefather, Cordino, son of Ottone, of Taio, whose name appears in documents in 1429 and 1437, 'Corradini' is a different surname, derived from the name 'Corradino' (a diminutive form of the name 'Corrado').

Cordino appears to have had at least four sons, all of whom stayed in TAIO, where the surname continued through the mid-1800s.

In 1446, Cordino's grandson Nicolo' (son of his son Antonio) moved from Taio to DERMULO after marrying Margherita Barbacovi of Dermulo, who was heir to her father's estate. Due to this connection, Nicolo' quickly obtained his status as an official vicino (a legal resident/citizen) of Dermulo, and we find him amongst those present at the drafting of the Carta di Regola of Dermulo in 1471. Inama estimates that Nicolo' probably died in the year 1472. From Nicolo' and Margherita are descended all the Cordini of Dermulo, a line that endured until the end of the 1600s.

Sometime by 1554, two of Nicolo''s grandsons (son of his son Giovanni) -- namely Corradino and Bertoldo - left Dermulo and settled in FONDO. Here in Fondo, we find the surname appearing in records without the final vowel, i.e., as 'CORDIN' (pronounced with the stress on the second syllable). Occasionally we find it spelled 'Cordina', but this is not the commonly used spelling. In 1567, we find Corradino Cordin (along with his son Simone, who was living in Dermulo) had been given the right to collect the rents owed from the decima (obligatory tithes) for Fondo by the Counts of Spaur. Inama shares his opinion that Corradino appears to have been a person in whom many people placed their trust, and we find him acting as guardian and executor on behalf of many extended family members. Both Corradino and his brother Bertoldo had many male descendants, but owing to gaps and missing records in the early Fondo baptismal register, it is sometimes difficult to know which of these two brothers is the patriarch of specific people. However, based on my research to date, Bertoldo's line seems to have been the most enduring.

The surname Cordin continued to flourish in Fondo for many centuries. We find, for example, two Cordin men present at the drafting of the Carta di Regola for Fondo on 25 April 1727. The last Cordin birth in Fondo was registered in 1907, and the surname is now extinct there. Although the surname is still in Trentino today, the majority live in the city of Trento, and I do not know if they are descended from the Fondo line.

For more details on this family, I encourage you to visit: Paolo Inama's Dermulo website
CornellaCornelainfo to follow
Corra'Cora'Bertoluzza says this surname is derived from the male personal name 'Corrado', which has the meaning 'audacious in the assembly'. There are several surnames with this root, but there is no apparent connection between them. The specific variant Corra' (Cora') is found prominently in both Revo' and Tregiovo by the mid-1600s or earlier (although the surname is occasionally written as 'Corradi' in early records). One Tregiovo line established a new line in Revo', after Maurizio Corra' (son of Simone) married the noble Domenica Busetti of Revo' (daughter of Cristoforo) on 31 May 1692.
CorradiSee detailed article: The CORRADI of Val Giudicarie. From Folkloric Heroes to Medieval Lords.
CorradiniPatronymic surname derived from the male personal name 'Corradino', which is a diminutive from of the name 'Corrado'. It is found in numerous parts of the province (probably not all of common origin). The earliest document I have found with this surname is dated 28 September 1425, where we find a Michele Corradini (son of Odorico), who was a notary from Borgo Valsugana. More info to follow.
CortelliniSurname follow prominently in Pellizzano (Val di Sole). More info to follow.
CosnerA surname of Germanic origin, found mostly in and around Mezzano / Fiero di Primiero. More info to follow.
CoviCovo; Cous; CouBertoluzza suggests this surname may be a patronymic derived from the antiquated male personal name 'Covo' ('Cous' in early records), which Leonardi says appears in a record from 1322. Alternatively, Bertoluzza says it may be a toponymic derived from the place name 'Covo', which is in Bergamo in Lombardia. While the linguistic origins might be the same, the surname 'Covi' does not seem to have an historical connection with the surname 'Cova', which is found in parts of the province where 'Covi' does not appear.

Historically, this surname is found most frequently in Fondo, Cavareno/Sarnonico, Castelfondo (all in Val di Non), and the city of Trento. In more recent times, it can also be found in Taio, Arco, Vasio and other places in the province, as well as in Bolzano.

The earliest baptism I have found with this surname is in Fondo, where a 'Maria Cou', daughter of Giovanni, son of the late Giacomo' was born 3 July 1597, which placed her grandfather's birth sometimes in the early 1500s. Later, there are many Covi (spelled 'Covo') in the Carta di Regola for Fondo in 1727, including a Giovanni Battista Covi (one of the 'saltari' who supervised the use of communal properties), an 'Antonio, son of the late Martino Covo', who was the sindaco (mayor), another 'Antonio, son of the late Giacomo Covi', who was one of the 'regolani' (enforcer of the rules), and many others referred to as 'vicini', which, in this context, means 'official citizens'.

Stenico lists three Covi notaries, the earliest being a Tommaso, son of Francesco Covi, who was active around the years 1598. Tommaso was based at Castel Telvana in Valsugana (a good 60 miles away from Fondo) but that may not have been his place of origin.

In the world of art, Trento-born painter Cesare Covi (30 May 1872-20 July 1923) is worthy of mention. Authors Weber and Rasmo describe his many works in detail in their book 'Artisti Trentini e Artisti Che Operarono Nel Trentino'.
CristanelliCristanel; Christanel; Christanelli; CristaneliPatronymic surname, derived from the male personal name Cristano (rather than Cristoforo), which has the meaning 'follower of Christ'. Bertoluzza suggests it may also be a matriarchal name derived from the name 'Cristina'.

Although associated primarily with the village of Fondo in Val di Non, the surname Cristanelli has also been present in Sover in Val di Cembra, as well as in Stenico in Val Giudicarie, at points in the past.

In Fondo, we know the surname was present from the mid-1500s. Although the surviving death records for the parish do not go beyond 1666, amongst the archives for the parish, there is a copy of the last Will and Testament for an Enrico Cristanelli, son of Giovanni, originally drafted in 1608. The earliest surviving Fondo baptismal record with this surname is for a Maddalena Christanelli, born 13 March 1597, daughter of Cristano Christanelli and his wife Elisabetta.

On 8 March 1610, we find the birth of a Cristina, daughter of Cristoforo, son of the late Cristano Cristanelli, and his wife Lucia. Thus, it does appear the names Cristano (and possibly also Cristina and Cristoforo) were recurring names in this family in the 16th century.

A 'Nicolo' Giacomo Cristanel' is listed as being one of the jurists of the community of Fondo, present at the drafting of the Carta di Regola for Fondo on 26 April 1727. A 'Giuseppe Christanel' was among the many 'vicini' (inferring they were officially recognised citizens) of the 'honourable community of the village of Fondo' present at the event.

According to the inventory Archivi Storici del Trentino website, the surname is as least as ancient in Sover. Although the original notary document is now missing, a Pietro Paolo Cristanelli of Sover sold some land in November 1558. We again see the surname when a Giacomo Cristanelli of Sover is cited in a rental agreement dated 14 June 1580. Later, in a document drafted at Castello di Segonzano on 24 July 1612, a Bartolomeo, son of the late Giacomo Cristanelli (possibly the same Giacomo in the earlier document), is cited as being one of the attorneys for the community of Sover.

In the Giudicarie, historian P. Remo Stenico mentions a notary named Antonio Cristanelli of Stenico, son of Eleuterio, whose name appears in records in 1682 and 1699. The same author also mentions a priest named Giuseppe Antonio Cristanelli, likewise of Stenico, who died in Rome in 1762.

I have not found any instances of the surname in either Sover or Stenico after 18th century, and I do not yet know if there are any historical connections between these three lines. I also do not yet know whether the surname Cristelli, found in in the Sover/Segonzano area until the early 20th century, has any historical connection.
CristeliCristelliVariant without the double 'L' is found prominently in Segonzano (Val di Cembra). More info to follow.
CristelliCristeliVariant with the double 'L' is found prominently in Baselga di Pine' and Cognola
CristoforiPatronymic derived from the male personal name 'Cristoforo'. In my own research, I have found the surname in Dovena in the parish of Castelfondo (Val di Non) back to the mid 1600s. More info to follow.
CrosinaCrosna; CrosniOriginally from Padova (Padua) in Veneto, the Crosina family were already socially prominent by the 12th century, when a 'Jochelius de Crosinis' served as consul of that city in 1113. A family tree commissioned by the family in the 18th century says the Crosina were consuls under the Emperor Enrico, which historian Livio Caldera believes refers to Henry III, who died in 1056, which would mean they may have been councillors in Padova in the 11th century.

Sometime in the middle of 13th century, a Ziraldo (Girardo) and Giovanni Crosina (written 'Crosna' in this era) fled the city to escape the tyranny of Emperor Ezzelino III da Romano, who had seized Padova in 1237, and would continue to terrorise its citizens for the next twenty years. After staying in Vicenza for a short time, the brothers then took refuge in Balbido in Bleggio (Val Giudicarie) in Trentino, where they were finally able to settle and flourish. Many of their descendants still live there to this day.

In 1360, a Pietro Crosina became the first benefactor of the church in Balbido (then called Santissima Trinità, i.e. Most Holy Trinity), through a gift in his Last Will and Testament. This church would later be renamed Santa Giustina, most likely as an homage to the Crosina family, as she is one of the patron saints of their ancestral city of Padova. On the wall to the left of the main altar in the church of Santa Giustina in Balbido, there is large marble tablet dated 1664, adorned with the Crosina crest, explaining how the family came to live in there, and how grateful they are to the community.

An Alberto Crosina of Balbido and his wife Margherita of the noble Castel Campo family were buried near the altar dedicated to San Vigilio in the main parish church (present-day Santa Croce del Bleggio) in 1415. The earliest Crosina I have found mentioned in the Santa Croce records are a Domenico, Martino and Melchiore, all born roughly around 1500. Some of those families adopted soprannomi such as Bertagnini and Tosi, to distinguish themselves from one another. While 'Bertagnini' disappears from the records in the early 1600s, 'Tosi' evolved into that branch's surname sometime around 1730, meaning present-day Tosi in Bleggio are descendants of the Crosina.

Already part of the noble gentry well before the year 1500, the Crosina were elevated to the grade of Knights of the Holy Roman Empire by Carlo V on 26 July 1521. A branch of the family, headed by medical doctor Tommaso Crosina (born 15 July 1543), transferred to the city of Trento, where Tommaso would marry the noble Lucia Bomporto, and inherit her title of Tirolean nobility, which was elevated to the rank of Barons of the Holy Roman Empire in 1675. Their son Antonio Crosina (1581-1663) would grow up to become Bishop of Bressanone. The branch of the Crosina barons of Trento eventually became extinct with the death of Simone Felice royal councillor, who, in his will in 1775, named 'male heirs of the city of Trento' as universal heirs of his heritage, ordering that his palace be converted into a home for orphans. This marked the beginning of the Crosina Institute, now known as Fondazione Crosina Sartori Cloch, which offers aid and housing to orphans and other children in difficulty.

Sometime before 1687, a branch of the family migrated from Balbido to settle in Tiarno di Sotto, Valle di Ledro, in the western part of Trentino. Local historian Maria Luisa Crosina writes that many members of the Crosina family there distinguished themselves in the art of stonecutting and granite monuments, working even in the courts of Austria. She goes on to say that some of the Crosina from Tiarno moved to Arco, where there were many quarries.

The museum of the Castello del Buonconsiglio in Trento owns an interesting 18th century oil painting illustrating the Crosina family tree in their archives (not on public display), depicting the family's Padova origins and how they arrived in Balbido. While full of gaps, scant on details, and focusing primarily on the branch of the family descended from Tommaso in Trento, it is still a fascinating glimpse into the family history.

As the surname 'Crosina' comes from the word for 'cross', the original family crest was a simple red cross on a white background. Later, this evolved into a red cross on top of the stump of a tree, from which a leafy branch has sprouted, possibly representing how the family had been cut down in the 13th century and had found new life in their adopted homes in Trentino.
DaldosDaldoss; Dal Dos; Dal Doss; DossiThe word 'doss' is Trentino dialect for a large hill/high ground, often one on the outskirts of a village or city. There is, for example, a doss along the River Adige bordering the city of Trento called 'Doss Trento'. 'Dal' is a compound preposition ('da' + 'il') meaning 'of the' or 'from the'. This prefix is seen mostly in surnames from the northern part of Italy, especially Trentino. Thus, the term 'daldoss' (dal doss, dal dos, daldos) means 'from the doss', and would originally have referred to someone who lived on or near a doss. The surname 'Dossi' also means someone who came from the doss.

According to Bertoluzza, the name 'Dosso' appears in documents related to the city of Trento as early as 1183. P. Remo Stenico lists a notary named Aicardo Dosso whose name appears in documents from 1189. He also lists many priests with the surname (in various spellings) from Vermiglio, Peio, Cellentino, Vallarsa can Celledizzo. In the rural valleys, Bertoluzza says varieties of the surname appear in Val Giudicarie, Val di Non and Val di Ledro, and says there is one 'Dal Dos' variant that has its origins from a maso (homestead) of the same name in Val Gardena.

The earliest Daldos I have personally found so far is a Zanin Daldos ('Zanin' is an antiquated form of Giovanni), who was born around 1500 in the frazione of Cares (pronounced 'CAH-ress') in the parish of Santa Croce del Bleggio in Val Giudicarie. The surname is also prominent in San Lorenzo in Banale, also in Val Giudicarie.
DalfiorDal Fior; Dalla Fior; Flores; FioreThe word 'Fior' or 'Fiore' means 'flower' in Italian (from the Latin word 'flora'). 'Dalla' is a compound preposition ('da' + 'la') meaning 'from the'. It is seen mostly in surnames from the northern part of Italy, especially Trentino. Thus, the name 'Dalfior', 'Dalla Fior' or other variants literally mean 'of the flower(s)' or 'from the flower(s)'. Bertoluzza says some authors believe it was a soprannome given to someone of affected or 'flowery' character, but he also believes it could have been derived from a place name 'fiore', or from the female name Flora/Fiore. It appears predominently in the areas around Val Giudicarie, Arco and Riva. I have found early forms in the records where the prefix is omitted, i.e. 'Fiore' or 'Flores'.
DallachiesaDalla ChiesaToponymic surname meaning 'from the church' or 'by the church'. It would originally have referred to a family living near a church. In my own research, I have found the surname in Dovena in the parish of Castelfondo as early as the mid-1600s. More info to follow.
DallagoDal Lago; De LagoToponymic surname meaning 'from the lake' or 'by the lake'. It would originally have referred to a family living a lake. I have not yet researched this name in detail but I have found it in Rumo in Val di Non in the early 1700s. More info to follow.
DallatorreDalla Torre; Dellatorre; Della TorreOften seen as two separate words (i.e. Dalla Torre), the name means 'from the tower'. It refers to someone who was either born in a tower, or who came from a place near a tower or high structure. It appeared as early as the 1400s, and is found mostly in Val di Sole and Val di Non, especially in Ossana, Mezzana, Livinallongo, Ravina, Mezzolombardo and Vigo di Ton.
DalpiazDal Piaz; Piazzi; de Plaza; de Plazo; Piaz; Dallapiazza; Dalla PiazzaDerived from the Italian word 'piazzo', meaning a plain or a clearing, or a plazza or square in a village. The prefix 'dal' means 'of the' or 'from the'. In all cases, the surname refers to someone who originally came from or near a plaza or some such place. The surname is found mainly in Van di Non and Valli di Fiemme, with early forms of it (e.g. 'de Plaza', 'de Plazo', etc.) appearing as long ago as the 1200s. Thus far in my own research, I have found the variant 'Dallapiazza' in Dovena in Castelfondo back to the mid-1600s, and 'Dalpiaz' in Cis in the late 1500s.
Dalpontea Ponte; Dal Ponte; PonteThis toponomastic surname is a combination of 'dal' (of the / from the) and 'ponte' (bridge), with the combined meaning of 'of / from the bridge'. It would therefore have been used to refer to a family who lived near or at the foot of a bridge. The variants listed above are often used in early records, but today it is mostly seen written as a single word 'Dalponte'.

So far, I have found three Trentino families with this surname, who may not be related to each other.

Tabarelli de Fatis (whose focus is nobility) says the 'Ponte' or 'Dal Ponte' were a family of apothecaries from Mantova in Lombardia, who transferred to Trento in the second half of the 1400s. On 11 November 1632, Ferdinando II, Emperor of the Holy Roman Empire, granted imperial nobility to Gianandrea Dal Ponte and his sons, Giovanni, Giuseppe, and Lodovico.

A second Dalponte line came from Vigolo Vattaro, not far from the city of Trento. From this line, we find many notaries, the earliest being Francesco and Giovanni Antonio Dalponte of Vigolo Vattaro, sons of ser Ognibene Dalponte, who were both active in the first decade of the 1500s. It is possible the Vigolo Vattaro lines are related to the family mentioned by Tabarelli de Fatis, but so far, I haven't found any research linking the two lines.

The third Dalponte family is from the parish of Vigo Lomaso in Val Giudicarie, primarily from the locality of Caiano. If they are connected to the family who moved from Mantova in the 1400s, they would have had to have migrated to the Giudicarie almost immediately, as we know they are one of the many Giudicaresi families who were granted the title of 'rural nobility' before the year 1500.

From this line, Onorati mentions a Zaccaria Dalponte of Caiano who was a 'Giurisperito' (jurist; expert in law) and Chancellor at Castel Stenico in the year 1550. We also find at least one notary from this family, Francesco Dalponte, who was granted his license on 20 July 1791. Onorati says many sindaci (mayors) of Vigo Lomaso came from this family.

Sometime before February 1735, at one branch of the family, headed by Sebastiano Dalponte of Caiano, moved into (or at least on the grounds of) Castel Spine, a then-disused medieval castle north of Vigo Lomaso. This is mentioned in the marriage record for Sebastiano's daughter Domenica Dalponte with Giovanni Sibioli of Fiave' on 16 February 1735.

In section on the Giudicaresi Bersaglieri against the Napoleonic invasions, Lorenzo Dalponte says: 'Distinguished above all amongst the bersaglieri of Vigo Lomaso is Bernardino Dalponte of Castel Spine (1772-1860), corporal and sergeant in 1796, captain in 1797, Military Governor of Trento in August-September 1809, and Chief Commander of the Italian Tirol.'

Castel Spine (often called 'Spinedo' in the 18th century) had originally been built a refuge for the local population. In the 15th century, the main part of the castle was enclosed with many surrounding buildings, creating a kind of community unto itself. After many conflicts for control of it between the noble D'Arco and the Campo families, it ceased to be a functioning castle in the 16th century and was converted into a hunting lodge. But from these two references about the Dalponte family, we see some villagers still lived within its grounds. It was recently restored by the Autonomous Province of Trento.

Stenico lists more than two dozen priests with the surname Dalponte, nearly all from the parish of Vigo Lomaso.

One worthy of mention is Lorenzo Dalponte, who was born around 1711 and ordained in Brescia in 1730, and who served as an Archpriest for the parish of Smarano in Val di Non. To support his native parish, he donated 800 florins in 1794 (which, if I've calculated it correctly, is roughly equivalent to $17,000 USD in today's money) to help start a local public school.

Another priest of the same name is historian Monsignor Lorenzo Dalponte, born 9 September 1921, who is the author of 'Uomini e Genti Trentine durante le invasioni napoleoniche, 1796-1810', and contributing author of 'Le Giudicarie Esteriore, Banale, Bleggio, Lomaso: cultura e storia'.
DamolinDa Molin; Dal Molin; Dalmolin; DaimoliniThis surname is actually two words: 'da' and 'molin'. 'Molin' (with the stress on the second syllable) is a truncated dialect version of the Italian word mulino/molino, meaning a mill or mill house. 'Da' is a preposition meaning 'of' or 'from'. Thus, 'da molin' means 'from the mill' or 'from the mill house'. Aldo Bertoluzza says 'damolin' refers to someone lived at (and probably owned) a mill house, rather than someone who just works at a mill. There is also a comune called Molina a few miles southwest of Daiano in Val di Non, and the name could also refer to someone who lived in that locality.
DazFound most prominently in Ronzone (formerly part of the parish of Sarnonico). More info to follow
de CarliSee 'Carli'
de PretisPretisSee 'Pretis'
DeFranceschiDe Franceschi; DefranceschiPatronymic derived from the male personal name 'Francesco'. This particular form is found prominently in Romeno in Val di Non at least back to the early 1600s. More info to follow.
Degasperide GasperiPatronymic derived from the male personal name 'Gaspare' or 'Gasparo'.
Dell'AnnaAnna; de Anna; D'Anna; Danna; Delana; Dellanna; Dellana; DelannaLiterally meaning 'of Anna', Bertoluzza says some historians believe the surname was derived from the name of a maso (homestead) called 'Anna' in the area of Telve in Valsugana, citing a 'Martino of Anna' who appears in records in 1371.

While the surname 'D'Anna appears in the Telve area over the centuries, variants like 'Dell'Anna' appear in places far from Valsugana. For these, I feel it more likely that it originally referred to a son or child of someone named Anna. Thus, it may be one of those rare matriarchal surnames, or possibly a surname that evolved out of an earlier matriarchal soprannome.

In my own research, the earliest Dell'Anna I have identified are an Antonio and Alberto Dell'Anna, both born around 1520 in the frazione of Bono in the present-day parish of Santa Croce del Bleggio, Val Giudicarie. However, the surname is recorded simply as 'Anna' in the 1500s, then 'de Anna' in the early 1600s. The surname finally settles into 'Dell'Anna' when a branch of the family (descended from a Giacomo Anna of Bono) moves to the village of Gallio, where the surname is frequently found from that point forward.
DellaSegallaDella Segalla; Segalla; SegalaFrom the word 'segala' meaning 'rye', a grain that has been traditionally cultivated throughout the province. Early versions of the surname can be found back to the 1200s. More info to follow.
DelvaiDelvajInfo to follow
DevilliDevili; de Villi; de Vili; de Vigili; Vigili; Vili; VilliOld ennobled family, probably of Mezzolombardian origin, and possibily indicating a person employed in the imperial guard.
DominiciDomenego; Menego; Menghi; MeneghiniOne of dozens of patronymic surnames derived from the man's personal name 'Domenico', which means 'dedicated or consecrated to God'. Because of the pronunciation in dialect, some will change the 'c' to 'g', i.e. 'Domenego'. Others will drop the first syllable, resulting in the surnames 'Menego', 'Menghi', 'Meneghini', and many other variants. While surnames with this root are widely dispersed throughout Trentino (especially in Val di Cembra, Val di Sole and Val di Non), the variants tend to be in specific places. All of the 'Dominici' I have found to date were from Romallo in Val di Non. The earliest I have found is Mattia Dominici (who would have been born no later than 1573), son of the late Graziadeo Dominici, who was present at the drafting of the 'Carta di Regola' (laws/rules) for the comune of Romallo on 24 April 1598.
DonatiDonatoOne of many patronymic surnames derived from the male personal name 'Donato', meaning 'a gift' (from God). Like so many other patronymics, it is widely dispersed throughout the Italian peninsula, and is actually much more common in other provinces, especially Toscana, Emilia-Romagna and Lombardia. In Trentino, the surname is found mostly within a large elliptical area, fanning northwards from Lago del Garda to places like Tiarno di Sotto, Bleggio, Dorsino, Vigo Lomaso, Termenago, Male', Brentonico, Arco, etc. Among the Donati of historical note, Bertoluzza mentions the painter Carlo Donati (1874-1949), who was born in Verona, but whose family came from Vigo Lomaso, as well as Cattarina Donati from Val Giudicarie who was tried for witchcraft in 1709. In my own research, the earliest two Donati I have identified so far are Nicolo' and Giovanni, both born around 1470 in the village of Sesto in the present-day parish of Santa Croce del Bleggio. I have also found some Donati from Tiarno di Sotto appearing (via marriage) in the records for Valvestino, now part of Lombardia. The earliest Donati notary mentioned by historian P. Remo Stenico is Giovanni Donati of Termenago, whose father Matteo was already deceased by 1530. Stenico lists many Donati priests dating back to the mid-1500s, but undoubtedly the most illustrious was the noble Francesco Donati, who was the Archdeacon of Trento and Canon of the Collegiate, as well as one of the Counts of Arco; he passed away in 1561.
DorigattiOne of dozens of patronymic surnames derived from the male nickname 'Rigo', a diminutive form of name 'Odorico' or 'Uldarico', which itself is a derivation of the old German name 'Od-Rik'. Bertoluzza says it might also be derived from the name 'Arrigo', which has the meaning 'extremely wealthy'. (More information to follow).
Dornainfo to follow
Duchiinfo to follow
Dusettiinfo to follow
DusiDussati; Dusiniinfo to follow
EndriciEnrici; Endrizzi; EnricoPatronymic derived from the male personal name 'Enrico'. More info to follow.
EndrizziEndrici; Enrici; EnricoPatronymic derived from the male personal name 'Enrico'. More info to follow.
EnricoEndrici; Enrici; EndrizziPatronymic derived from the male personal name 'Enrico'. More info to follow.
ErspamerErspam; Erspan; EspamerWhile scholars undisputedly agree the surname Erspamer is of Germanic origin, they are less certain of its linguistic roots. There are two schools of thought on what the word might mean.

One theory is that it is a spelling error of the word 'Kirschbaum' which is the word for 'cherry tree'. Through this theory, Erspamer would share a linguistic link with the surname Kerschbaumer (also Kerchpamer and Kerspamer). Although Erspamer will sometimes be found written with a 'K' (e.g.: 'Kerspamer') in early records, I have not seen any genealogical connection between Erspamer and those other surnames that appear in other parts of the province.

A second theory is that it is a spelling error of the word 'Eschpam' (also seen 'Essban' and 'Espaum'), which can be translated to mean a 'space for pasture/grazing in the vicinity of the homestead'. Anzilotti and Bertoluzza tell us of 'masi' (homesteads) called 'Erschbam' and 'Ersbaum' in San Felice and Renon, 'Erschbaumer' around Bressanone, and 'Erschbaum' in Val Pusteria, all in the German-speaking province of Bolzano/South Tyrol. It is generally accepted that these homesteads are linked to families with these surnames. Given how similar 'Eschpam' is to the name of the Tyrolean homesteads (and the fact that we know at least one Erspamer line came from South Tyrol), I believe this theory is more plausible.

In Trentino, Erspamer appears in two distinct areas of the province, without any apparent historical connection.

The older of these two are the Erspamer of Folgaria, in the southern part of the province (southwest of Rovereto). There, we find a frazione called Erspameri, indicating an historical home of at least some of the Erspamer families in that area. Anzilotti tells us the earliest appearance of the surname in Folgaria is in a document dated 1486, which mentions a 'Simon de Espam', 'Tomaso Espam', and 'Domenego Espom'. Bertoluzza mentions an 'Ersbaumer a Terragnolo' (the comune adjacent to Folgaria) in the year 1612. Interestingly, Anzilotti says that Folgaria is one of the oldest known Trentino settlements of the Cimbri (a Germanic tribe), dating back to the late 1100s, which could mean the family later known as Erspamer were already present in that area more than 800 years ago.

The other Trentino family are the Erspamer of Fondo, in the northernmost part of Val di Non. The founding fathers of this line are three brothers – Urbano, Giovanni and Baldassare Erspamer of San Felice in South Tyrol, who settled in Fondo in the latter half of the 1600s. Thus, all the Erspamer of Fondo are descended from one of these brothers. The only one of these I have researched in depth so far is Baldassare, who married an Anna Cordin of Fondo in 1675, whose descendants continue to flourish to the present day.

The 1732 Carta di Regola for Fondo makes no mention of the Erspamer, which seems to indicate they were not yet considered to be full citizens who had the right to contribute to the decision-making for the comune.
In 1758, a Giovanni Nicolò Erspamer of Fondo (a great-grandson of Baldassare Erspamer of San Felice) married Maria Elisabetta Marinelli of nearby Malosco in parish of Sarnonico. He and his wife settled in his wife's village, and thus became the founders of the Erspamer line of Malosco.

Of persons of note, Bertoluzza mentions a Vittorio Giuseppe Erspamer, born in Malosco on 30 July 1909, who was an award-winning scientist, pharmacist, and university professor. A document dated 1662 also mentions a renowned painter named Giovanni Andrea Erspan, who came from Villamontagna, in the city of Trento.
FachinFachiniThe surname 'Fachin' is most prominently found in and around Mezzano in Primiero. So far in my own research, I have found the surname there back to the beginning of the 1700s. On rare occasion it will be spelled 'Fachini', but that spelling appears more frequently in other parishes. More info to follow.
FachiniSurname most commonly in the parish of Roncone, as well as around the city of Trento (Lavis, Meano, etc.). A variant without the final 'I' appears in Mezzano in Primiero. More info to follow.
FacinelliSurname follow prominently in Revo', with some branches in Cagno' (Val di Non). More info to follow.
FailoniFailoBertoluzza says he 'dares' to make a hypothesis about the origins of this surname that it might have been derived from the dialect word 'faimalon' (further shortened to 'failon'), meaning someone who is messy or careless. He says the surname originates in Val Giudicarie and Cavedine. 'Failoni' seems to be indigenous of the parish of Tione, and I have seen it in records there at least into the 1600s.
FalagiardaThis surname is a compound of two words 'fala' (or 'fare', in Italian) and 'giarda', which literally mean 'to make (the) garden'. However, in practical use, the two words together can have the meaning of someone who is fond of cracking jokes or playing pranks. Either way, the surname comes from a soprannome, perhaps referring to an actual gardener, but more likely to someone who was a bit of a practical joker. I have seen this name prominently in the parish of Tavodo (Val Giudicarie), and Bertoluzza says there was a Domenico 'Falazarda' living in Dorsino in that parish in 1466 (the letter 'z' was frequently used interchangeably for a 'gi' back then, as they were pronounced similarly, much like the 'J' in the French name 'Jacques'). He suggests 'Falaguarda' is a variant of the same name, but I am inclined to think they are unrelated.
FalaguardaThis surname is a compound of two words: 'fala' (or 'fare', in Italian) and 'guarda', which means 'a guard'. Thus, the two words together mean 'to keep guard' or 'to work as a guard'. This surname, he says, may be derived from a soprannome referring to someone who was in charge of 'keeping watch' over something/someplace. Bertoluzza says the surname originated in Val di Cembra. He suggests 'Falagiarda' is a variant of the same name, but I am inclined to think they are unrelated.
FarinaFarinati; Farinella; Farinelli; FarinonIn modern Italian, the word farina means 'flour', but in a broader sense it can refer to food or sustenance in general, not dissimilar from how we might use the word 'bread' (as in 'our daily bread') in English. Bertoluzza proposes that the surname probably started out as a soprannome given to someone who worked as a miller. As being a miller has always been such a fundamental occupation to society, 'Farina' is an extremely common surname throughout Italy, appearing in just about every region, including Sicily and Sardinia. With its heaviest concentration in Lombardia and Campania (and most likely unrelated to each other), it is comparatively rare in present-day Trentino. Nonetheless, the surname has a long and illustrious history in Trentino. While Bertoluzza cites many early examples (1300s-1400s) of the soprannome in Varena, Verla di Giovo, Vigo Cavedine and the city of Trento, he says its use as a surname originated in Val Giudicarie. In my own research, the oldest and most socially influential Farina family are from Balbido in Santa Croce del Bleggio, in Val Giudicarie. In early parish records and legal documents, this family are often referred to by their soprannome 'Blasiola' (or Blasiolo), derived from the personal name of their patriarch 'Blasio' or 'Blasiolo' ('Biagio' in modern Italian), a name that appears many times in their family in late medieval centuries. Apparently well-established landowners and experienced businessmen, their surname appears frequently in land sale documents throughout the 1400s. The earliest of this family I have traced so far is a Martino Blasiola Farina, who was probably born between 1400-1410. His great-grandson Francesco is the earliest Farina notary cited by historian P. Remo Stenico, with his earliest records around 1534. Interestingly, that document says Francesco was originally from Balbido, but was living in Revo' in Val di Non at the time, which may have played a role in the dissemination of the surname in other parts of the province. Stenico also lists several other early Farina notaries from Arco and Mezzana in Val di Sole. Beyond their business and legal enterprises, the Balbido Farina are also known for the many priests who came from their family. Of these, two are of particular historic significance. First is Adamo Blasiola Farina, who served as parroco (pastor) of Santa Croce until his death in 1593. The first priest in Bleggio to record parish records after the Council of Trento, and undoubtedly loved and respected by his parishioners, his tomb can still be visited in the underground crypt of that church. The second priest is don Adamo's successor (as well as his nephew), Alberto Farina, who served as parroco for 57 years, until he passed away at the age of 92 in 1646. Don Alberto's historical importance to the parish cannot be overstated. Among other things, in 1623, he recorded the testimony of hundreds of people who attributed healings and other blessings to the now legendary 'thaumaturgic Santa Croce' (miraculous holy cross), which had originally stood on top of a nearby mountain. Later, he installed the cross inside the parish church, having a special altar made for it, where it still stands to this day. Today, the influence of Farina priests continues with Marcello Farina (born 1940), widely loved for his socially assertive, humanitarian message.
FattorFatorIn modern Italian, the word fattoria means 'a farm'. In the past, a 'fattor' or 'fattore' was someone who worked on a farm, but more in the capacity of someone who oversaw or managed the workings of the farm, rather than someone who was a subsistence farmer (contadino) or hired labourer. Thus, anyone with this surname would have had an ancestor who had this occupation some time in the distant past.

Although there are many variants on this root word, the version that ends in 'r' without a suffix or ending vowel appears most prominently in Romeno in Val di Non. Bertoluzza cites a Federico Fator of Romeno, whose name appears in a document dated 1529. Stenico mentions a priest named Donato Fattor of Caldes, whose name appears in a document dated 1597.
FedrizziFedrici; Federici; FedrigaOne of many patronymic surnames derived from the male personal name 'Federigo' or 'Federico', with the meaning 'powerful in peace' or 'a lord of peace'. Bertoluzza says the original surname (Fedriga) came from Val d'Adige. Fedrizzi appears in many places in the province, including Val Giudicarie (Ragoli, Preore, Montagne, etc), Val di Non (Lona, Vigo di Ton), and the city of Trento.
FellinFelin; Felini; Fellini; Felli; Felino; FilinoAn old surname found originating in Val di Non, 'Fellin' or 'Felin' is found almost exclusively in Revo', while variants can be found in Amblar, Dambel, Fondo, Flavon, Romeno, and the city of Trento, as well as early records in Revo'.

Regarding its origins, Bertoluzza says it is difficult to say with certainty, offering two interpretations. First, he suggests is may have been a soprannome derived from the word 'fel', which is the same in meaning as the modern Italian word fiele, which literally means 'gall', but semantically means 'spite', 'resentment' or 'animosity. His second suggestion is that it comes from the adjective felino, literally meaning 'feline', but semantically referring to someone with great agility.

Leonardi says the name is derived from the male personal name 'Felino' (most likely with the same meaning as the adjective above), and that he has found one case of it in Trentino. I tend to lean towards this theory, mainly because it seems the most likely, and also because I know I saw the name 'Fellin Fellin' in an early baptismal record in Revo' (sadly, I didn't record it at the time, so I cannot remember the date).

In my own research, I have found the surname appearing in Revo' back to the beginning of the surviving parish records, which start in 1619. In fact, the earliest surviving baptismal record from that parish is for a Giovanni Pietro Felin, son of Francesco and Cattarina, born 23 March 1619.

In other archival material, a Bartolomeo Felin from Revo' is cited as having purchased some arable land from one of the Counts of Thun at Castel Caldes in a parchment for a land sale dated January 1539, thus taking the surname back at least another century. Two land sale documents dated 1587 and 1588 mention a rural locality called 'Felin', which seems to have been in the area of Baselga di Piné, but this may not have any connection to the surname.

Stenico lists three priests named Fellin, all from Revo', the earliest being Giovanni Fellin, who died in 1696. Of people of note, Bertoluzza mentions two Felini: Riccardo Felini of the city of Trento (1865-1930), a priest and musicologist, and Vittorio Felini, also of Trento (1862-1920) who was a poet who wrote in the vernacular language (which I presume means dialect).
FeniceFinice; FeniciFenice' is the word for a phoenix, the mythical bird said to rise from its ashes. The surname originates in Salo' in the province of Brescia in Lombardia, and was brought to Rango in the present-day parish of Santa Croce del Bleggio in Val Giudicarie by Benvenuto Fenice, sometime in the mid 1500s.
FerrariFerrai; Fabro Ferraio; Ferer; Ferar; de FerrariComing from the Latin word ferro meaning 'iron', Ferrari is one of several surnames that started out as a soprannome given to a blacksmith, usually a master of his trade.

It is widely dispersed in various parts of the province, from Val di Non (Cles, Revò), Val Giudicarie (Saone, Comano, Poia), in an around the city of Trento, and far to the west in Valvestino (which used to be part of Trentino), in the present-day province of Brescia.

As blacksmithing is a very old profession, early forms of the name go back at least 800 years. Bertoluzza cites a 'Ferarius' of Tignerone (in Bleggio, Val Giudicarie) who is mentioned in a record from 1223, albeit during this era it was probably a reference to his profession rather than a surname. He gives many other early examples ('Ferer', 'Ferar', etc.) from the 1400s in numerous parts of the province.

The earliest Ferrari I have found in my own research are Antonio Ferrari of Saone and Domenico Ferrari of Poia (Vigo Lomaso parish), both most likely born around 1520. Domenico is actually called 'Fabroferrai', but it is obviously a precursor to Ferrari, as that surname appeared in that village for many centuries afterwards.

There have also been many noble families with the name Ferrari over the centuries (to be continued).
Ferretiniinfo to follow
Festiinfo to follow
FilippiFilippetti, Filippi, Filippin, Filippini, Filippino, Filippo, Filippone, Filippozzi, Filipputi, FilipputtiA very old patronymic surname derived from the male personal name Filippo, which has the meaning 'someone who loves horses' or 'friend of the horses.' As with most patronymics, variants based on the original name can be found in many parts of the province and are not always related to each other.

There are two main noble families bearing the name Filippi and its variants -- one originating in Val di Non, and the other in Val Giudicarie.

According to historian Tabarelli de Fatis, the Val di Non line -- known as 'Filippini von Sonegg' -- were originally a branch of the Thun family. Their surname is a patronymic derived from their ancestral head of the family, a man named
Filippino, son of Giorgio di Castel Thun-Belvesino, whose name appears in records as early as 1391. They received the predicate 'von Sonegg' and the title of 'noble equestrians' from Archduke Massimiliano on 18 March 1620, and the title of nobility of the Holy Roman Empire in 1691. The family are listed in the book of Tirolesi nobility in 1608, the list of bishopric nobility of Livo in 1636, the list of bishopric nobility of Vigo d'Anaunia (Vigo di Ton) in 1529 and 1636. On 16 September 1677, Emperor Leopoldo I granted them permission to use the surname 'Thun' instead of Filippi, so the surname of this line goes extinct after that date.

In my own research in Val di Non records, the oldest Filippi I have found is a Giacomo Filippi of Cassino in Livo (an antiquated name of a part of the village of Varollo), who was most likely born around 1525. They do not appear to be related to the noble family of Vigo di Ton, but perhaps there is an ancient link between them which I have not yet found. I have also seen the variant Filippini in the parish of Grigno.

Tabarelli de Fatis also says Bartolomeo Filippi of Dasindo and his cousin Nicolò Filippi of Rovereto were awarded the title of nobility of the Holy Roman Empire (S.R.I.) by Emperor Rodolfo II on 22 January 1610, a title which was later confirmed by Prince Bishop Giovanni Michele Spaur on 5 February 1717. Thus, we know from this that a branch of the Dasindo Filippi had settled in Rovereto by the early 1600s. In my own research, I have also found the surname Filippi in Varignano in Arco in the early 1600s.

I haven't yet been able to find an image of the stemma for the Dasindo family, but according to Tabarelli de Fatis, it is divided into four quarters, the first and fourth of which have a red background and a gold dragon, and the second and third having a blue background with three gold stars.

In my own research, I have found the Filippi family appearing in Dasindo by the mid-1500s, but historical evidence tells us they were there much earlier than this. Tabarelli di Fatis and Adriano Guelfi both say Prati of Dasindo originally were part of the Filippi family, only adopting the surname Prati in the mid-1500s. They say this family were first awarded the title of nobility in 1390 by Prince Bishop of Trento, Giorgio di Lichtenstein for their help during the battle against the Counts of Lodron at Castello Romano. We can interpolate from this that this 1390 title of nobility was granted to the Filippi of Dasindo, not Prati.

In ecclesiastic professions, Bertoluzza and P. Remo Stenico mention a Simone Filippini of Vigo di Ton, who was a priest between 1492-1548, and served as a Canonico of Trento in 1506. Stenico also mentions a priest named Michele Filippi of Bresimo whose name appears in records around 1521. In later centuries, many Filippi priests came from Albiano, Civezzano, Scanna, Arco, Roncone, Rovereto, Faedo, Tiarno di Sopra and the city of Trento.

Amongst early Filippi notaries, P. Remo Stenico cites a Domenico Antonio Filippi of Rovereto (also imperial nobility), appearing in records between 1759-1793.

Bertoluzza mentions several Filippi artisans of note, including sculptor Andrea Filippi of Trento (1732-1808), 19th-century author Domenico Antonio Filippi of Albiano, poet Nicolo' Filippi of Civezzano (1798-1850), architect and sculptor Giovanni Maria Filippi of Dasindo (1540-1631). One of the lasting legacies of Giovanni Maria, who was also the architect of Emperor Rudolfo I, is the church of Chiesa di Santa Maria Assunta (also called Collegiata dell'Assunta) in Arco in 1613.
Finainfo to follow
FiorioFlorio; Fiore; FloresDerived from the Latin word 'flora' ('fiore' in Italian) for 'flower'. Possibly a patronymic from the male personal name 'Floriano'. (More information to follow).
FlaimI've always thought the surname Flaim to be one of the most unusual in Trentino. And there's a good reason for that: Bertoluzza says this surname is Hungarian in origin, arriving in Val di Non around the 1400s through the migrations of the 'Zingari' -- what many call 'Gypsies' in English, but who are more properly referred to as 'Romani'. Because of this, Bertoluzza says it linguistic origins are unclear. Perhaps someone knows medieval Hungarian or Romani might be able to tell us more. Although the earliest example Bertoluzza cites for the surname comes from the comune of Cles around the year 1435, he says Flaim is predominantly found in and around the parish of Revo' -- including Tregiovo, which was considered part of that parish during this era. In his book, Sacerdoti Della Diocesi Di Trento Dalla Sua Esistenza Fino All'Anno 2000, historian and priest P. Remo Stenico mentions six priests with the surname Flaim, all from the 19th and 20th centuries, and all but one came from the Revo'/Tregiovo area. In my own research, I found an Antonio Flaim born in Tregiovo sometime in the 1590s, who later lived in Romallo, which was also part of the parish of Revo' at this time. Unfortunately, there are no surviving parish registers for Revo' prior to 1620s. I have also found Flaim in Val Giudicarie, but this branch too has its origins in Revo', starting with a Bartolomeo Flaim (born around 1745) who migrated from Revo' to Seo in the parish of Tavodo, around the year 1780. Bertoluzza also mentions that many Flaim migrated to the United States between 1870 and the first half of the 20th century. Given the history of this interesting surname in Trentino, which always seems to point back to a common origin, it seems probable that all Flaim from Trentino are ultimate related, and that they may also share a more ancient link to the Romani people.
FlorianiPatronymic derived from the male personal name 'Floriano', which comes from the Latin word 'flora' ('fiore' in Italian) for 'flower'. (More information to follow).
FolladoriFoladori; Folin; Follador; DalfolloSurname derived from the dialect word 'foladura' for felt (as in the cloth, made from wool). Thus, the term 'follador(e)' refers to a craftsman who made felt cloth. Bertoluzza says its origins are in Val D'Adige and Valsugana, with early forms of the name appearing back to the 1300s.
FondriestFound mostly in and around Cles in Val di Non, the surname Fondriest is said to be of unknown origin. Linguistic historian Ernesto Lorenzo describes it as 'a foreign word that escapes all scrutiny'. I find it interesting that Aldo Bertoluzza did not include this surname in his Guida ai Cognomi del Trentino, possibly because he did not feel confident enough about its linguistic origins.

In local tradition, many say it means 'von Trieste' ('from Trieste'), and that the Fondriest were of Slovenian origin, from someplace near Trieste in Friuli Venezia Giulia. Historian Enzo Leonardi stresses that there is no proof to this theory, however, and that this should be regarded only as a local legend.

Nonetheless, I find it interesting that, in a recent Y-DNA comparison made by my colleague Gene Pancheri, the Fondriest belong to a haplogroup that is the most distantly related to the majority of other Nonesi surnames tested so far. Perhaps this is an indication that the family may have originated from someplace outside the province.

Whatever their origins, we know the Fondriest have been living in and around Cles for at least half a millennium. In the earliest surviving parish records for Cles (which begin in 1585), we find no fewer than five Fondriest households living in Caltron (a frazione of Cles) in the 1580-90s, with at least one of these moving from Caltron to Cles by 1596. These numbers are a good indication that the surname was already present in Caltron for at least a few generations before these dates.

Between the years 1815-1923, a total of 524 Fondriest births were recorded in the diocese of Trento, nearly all of which were in the parish of Cles (494) and its neighbouring parish of Mechel (15). Today, today there are an estimated 114 families with this surname living in Italy, nearly all of whom (94) live in the province of Trento. More than half (58) of those live in the comune of Cles, with another 22 families living in the city of Trento.

In recent times, perhaps the most well-known personality with this surname is Maurizio Fondriest of Cles (born 1965), a retired professional road racing cyclist, who won numerous races, including the Giro d'Italia.
FontanaFontanariThe word 'fontana' means 'fountain', but it is much more than that in daily life. Every mountain village of Trentino is built around the 'sorgente': the 'source' or the mountain spring that supplies water to the community. A fontana is more akin to what we might call a 'well' in English, except that it is wide and flat with the water at street level, rather than narrow and deep like a well. The surname Fontana is derived from a soprannome referring to a family who lived near the village fountain or spring. 'Fontanari' (another variant of this surname) was the word used to refer to the people whose job it was to take care of the fountain. Because every community has a fontana, the surname (and variants of it) are widespread throughout the province, appearing in records back to the 1200s. I have found it in Saone (Val Giudicarie) at least as far back as the early 1500s, and in Prato in San Lorenzo into the 1700s, but really it shows up in too many places throughout the province to mention here.
ForadoriThe word 'forador' is Trentino dialect for a large gimlet or drill for boring holes. The surname 'Foradori', therefore was derived from a soprannome referring to someone who either made or sold these tools. The surname originates in Val Giudicarie, most likely around Sclemo or Seo in the parish of Tavodo, and is seen there as far back as the early 1500s. A branch of the family, headed by one Giovanni Foradori of Seo, sprang up in Bono in the parish of Santa Croce del Bleggio sometime around 1638, possibly in the aftermath of the great plague of 1630. While I have not found any notaries with the surname, historian P. Remo Stenico lists three Foradori priests, all from Sclemo, the earliest of which was Rocco Foradori, whose name appears in records between 1614-1628 (again, possibly having perished during the plague era). During the 19th century, the surname spread from the Giudicarie to other parts of the province, including Rovereto, Mezzolombardo and the city of Trento. Arguably the most well-known Foradori alive today is biodynamic winemaker, Elisabetta Foradori of Mezzolombardo, whose Foradori ancestors were from the Tavodo area prior to the early 1800s.
Forelliinfo to follow
FormainiBertoluzza says the meaning of this surname is uncertain, but he theorises that it might be derived from the word 'formai', or 'formaggio' in Italian, which means 'cheese'. Although Bertoluzza does not suggest it, the 'ai' in the word seems to me to indicate an occupation (many words ending in 'aio' indicate an occupation), so perhaps it referred to someone who made or sold cheese. This is just my own theory, however. The surname has its origins in Val Giudicarie, specifically in the parishes of Vigo Lomaso and Santa Croce del Bleggio. The earliest document I have found so far with this surname is a 1593 marriage record between a Pietro Formaini of Lundo (Vigo Lomaso parish), son of Cristoforo, and Lucia, daughter of Blasio Farina of Balbido (Santa Croce parish). I have also seen references to Formaini who were apparently living in Santa Croce parish well before this date.
FostiniFustini; Faustini; Fausti; FaustinelliPatronymic surname derived from the male personal name 'Fausto' or 'Faustino', with the meaning of 'truly happy and fortunate'. Bertoluzza says it originates in Val Giudicarie (it is especially common in Santa Croce del Bleggo), but variants of the surname appear widely dispersed throughout the province.
FranceschiOne of many patronymic surnames derived from the male personal name 'Francesco'. More info to follow.
FranceschinelloFranceschinelOne of many patronymic surnames derived from the male personal name 'Francesco', appearing most frequently around Frieri di Primiero and Mezzano. More info to follow.
FranchFranc; Franco; Frang; FrankCLICK HERE to read about the history of the FRANCH of Cloz
FranchiOne of many patronymic surnames derived from the male personal name 'Franco', having the meaning 'courageous, ardent and free'. More info to follow
FranchiniOne of many patronymic surnames derived from the male personal name 'Franco', having the meaning 'courageous, ardent and free'. The specific variant 'Franchini' is especially prominent in Bolbeno, appearing in that frazione (in Tione parish records) back to the mid-1500s.
FrerottiSee Frieri
FrieriFrera; Freri; Frerotti, Fabbro; Fabbro Ferraio; Fabbro Ferrai; FerrariComing from the Latin word 'ferro' meaning 'iron', Frieri is one of several surnames (including the more well-known 'Ferrari') that started out as a soprannome given to a blacksmith, usually a master of his trade.

Bertoluzza says 'Frieri' originates in the western part of the province, specifically in Val Giudicarie and Val Rendena. I have found it in various villages in the present-day parish of Santa Croce del Bleggio (Bono, Cavrasto, Madice and others), the oldest of whom were Antonio and Filippo Frieri, both born in Marazzone sometime around 1520-1530.

I must point out, however, that any of the variants listed above might be used instead of Frieri. For example, the above-mentioned Antonio is called 'Frieri' when his unmarried daughter Sabina is a godmother in 1574, but he is called simply 'Fabbro Ferraio' when she marries the next year, most likely indicating he was a blacksmith by trade. Thus, if you have a combination of these surnames in your tree, you might wish to review your work to ensure you don't have the same people listed under different surnames.

In the present-day comune of Ragoli (formerly considered Preore), there is an ancient frazione called 'Favrio'. During the medieval era, it was called 'Fevri' and/or 'Freri'. While none of my resources allude to this, it does make me wonder whether this used to be the quarter in which the blacksmith(s) lived.

NOTE: Although I have included 'Ferrari' as a variant, in my experience, 'Ferrari' appears more frequently as a surname in its own right, and it also shows up in many other parts of the province.
Frizziinfo to follow
Furliniinfo to follow
FusariFusetti; Fusi; FusioThe word 'fuso' (plural: fusi) refers to a wooden spindle used for the spinning of wool, linen or hemp. Thus, a 'fusar' or 'fusari' refers to a craftsman who made these spindles. Not limited to the province of Trentino, the surname is actually far more prominent in other regions of Italy, especially Lombardia, Emilia-Romagna and Veneto. Today, there is an artist named Gianfranco Fusari from Badia Calavena in the province of Verona (Veneto), whose artwork is sold through the Saatchi Gallery in London. Regarding this surname in Trentino, Bertoluzza says it originated in Val D'Adige, but his earliest examples of the surname are from Rovereto and Brentonico in the mid-1400s and early 1500s. In my own research, 'Fusari' appears prominently in Larido in the parish of Santa Croce del Bleggio (Val Giudicarie), but their ancestors in the early 1500s used name 'Ballina' for many generations, adopting 'Fusari' as their surname around the beginning of the 1700s. The oldest of these 'Ballina Fusari' I have found was a Vincenzo (born in Larido around 1520), who had at least five children who married and had children of their own. Today, the surname is still present in Brentonico, Bleggio, Arco and the city of Trento.
GalvagniGalvagniniPatronymic derived from the male personal name 'Galvano' or 'Galvagno'. Galvagni appears in many places throughout the province, including Male' in Val di Non (at least as far back as the late 1500s), and Preore in Val Giudicarie (at least as far back as the early 1700s) and Rovereto (at least as far back as the early 1600s).
Gargnaniinfo to follow
Gasperinide GasperiniPatronymic derived from the male personal name 'Gaspare' or 'Gasparo'. More info to follow.
GenettiGianetti; Gianeti; Geneti; ZanettiVery old surname from Castelfondo in Val di Non, dating back to at least the early 1400s, and still prevalent there today. It is a patronymic derived from the male personal name 'Gian' (Giovanni), derived from the Hebrew name 'Yohanan' meaning 'graced by God (Yahweh)'. Bertoluzza believes it is a variant of the surname 'Senettin', which has its origins in Valli di Fiemme and Fassa.

Genetti family historian Louise Genetti Roach says that 1265 is generally accepted as the year in which the Castelfondo family was established, as per mention of a Giovanni Genetti and his sons as 'freemen' in the 'Codice Clesiano' (Codex of Cles).

An esteemed notary named Sebastiano Genetti of Melango in Castelfondo (b. circa 1495, son of Giovanni) was ennobled on 29 April 1573 by Maximilian II (Massimiliano Secondo), Emperor of the Holy Roman Empire, House of Hapsburgs. In his book of notaries, Stenico lists him under 'Zanetti' (see note below), offering no information about him other than that he was active in 1535. Amongst the pergamene (parchments) of the comune of Castelfondo at the Archivio Provinciale di Trento, I discovered a notary record drafted by Sebastiano in 1521, which would mean he was most likely born around or slightly before the year 1500.

In 1609, one of Sebastiano's grandsons, Gaspare Genetti, migrated from Castelfondo to marry Cattarina Carmellini of Cilla' in the present-day parish of Santa Croce del Bleggio (Val Giudicarie). There, the surname morphed into 'Zanetti', which was also a surname in that part of the province, notably around Stenico in the nearby parish of Tavodo.

Gaspare and Cattarina had at least 9 children, but only two were male, and I have found no evidence that these sons married and had children (or at least not in the parish of Bleggio). So far, I have also found no evidence that any of the present-day Zanetti lines in Val Giudicarie are descended from the Genetti family. Thus, the presence of the Genetti surname in Santa Croce was short-lived, dying out when Gaspare passed away around 1637.

P. Remo Stenico lists two 19th-century Genetti priests, both named Francesco, one from Castelfondo and one from Fondo.

NOTE: The letter 'z' was frequently used interchangeably for a 'gi' back then, as they were probably pronounced similarly, much like the 'J' in the French name 'Jacques'. Also 'Zan' was another spelling for the root 'Gian'.
GennariZenari; January (in Latin)Info to follow.
Germaniinfo to follow
GhezziProbably of Lombardian origin, Ghezzi is not a common surname but can still be found scattered around Trentino, including Val Giudicarie (especially the area around Arco and Tenno) and Val di Non (especially Andalo). More info to follow.
GiacomuzziOne of many surnames derived from male personal name 'Giacomo', meaning 'protected by God'. Various surnames based on this root appear as early as the 1540s, and are widely dispersed throughout the province. While predominantly in Trentino-Alto Adige, the surname Giacomuzzi also appears in other Italian regions, especially the northern regions of Friuli, Veneto and Lombardia.
GilbertiPatronymic derived from the male personal name 'Gilberto'. (More info to follow).
Gilmozziinfo to follow
GiordaniGiordano; Zordan; GiordanellaPatronymic surname derived from the male personal name 'Giordano' (Jordan). Bertoluzza says the name means 'the river that flows', referring to the River Jordan of the Bible. 'Giordani' means, therefore, 'the descendants of Giordano'. In Trentino, it has its roots in Val Giudicarie, appearing in records as early as the 1200s, where it is often spelled 'Zordan' (the letter 'z' was frequently used interchangeably for a 'gi' back then, as they were pronounced similarly, much like the 'J' in the French name 'Jacques'). The earliest Giordani I have found so far is a Nicolo' Giordani of Duvredo (parish of Santa Croce) in Val Giudicarie, who was most likely born around 1520. The surname also appears in such parishes as Villalagarina, Vezzano, Lavis, Vigo Lomaso, Molveno, Pomarolo, Rovereto and Tione.
GiorgiGeorgiSee 'Zorzi'
GiovanelliOne of dozens of patroymic surnames derived from the male personal name 'Giovanni', or possibly 'giovane', which means 'a youth / young man'. (More information to follow).
GiovannaPossibly a matronymic, coming from the female name Giovanna. Alternatively, it may also be one of dozens of patroymic surnames derived from the male personal name 'Giovanni', or possibly 'giovane', which means 'a youth / young man'. (More information to follow).
GiulianiGiuliano; Giugliani; Juliani; ZulianiPatronymic surname derived from the male personal name 'Giuliano' (most likely derived from the Latin name 'Julius'), meaning 'the descendants of Giuliano'. Bertoluzza says some scholars believe 'Julius' meant 'born in July' but it is my understanding that the month was named for Julius Caesar, not the other way around. Found in various parts of the province, the surname is especially common in parishes west of Lago di Garda, such as Arco, Dro' and Riva del Garda, but it can also be found in Dambel in Val di Non as far back as the late 1500s, as well as places like Brentonico, Sanzeno and Tavodo.

Bertoluzza cites an early Latin form 'Zulicanus' appearing in documents in the 1200s (the letter 'z' was frequently used interchangeably for a 'gi' back then, as they were pronounced similarly, much like the 'J' in the French name 'Jacques').

Tabrelli di Fatis discusses a noble line from Nanno, whom he believes may have originally come from Croviana. In that family, the notary Giovanni Andrea of Nanno (1715-1761), who was Captain of Castel Nanno and other titles. On 20 April 1739, Prince Bishop Domenico Antonio Thun granted the title of nobility and a stemma to Gaudenzio Giuliani of Nanno and his heirs. Later, on 11 January 1788, Domenico Antonio Giuliani, the then Captain of Castel Thun, obtained the title of Knight (cavaliere) of the Holy Roman Empire, and awarded that line the predicate 'von Nanburg'. The diploma for this line can be found in the State Archives in Innsbruck.

In my own research, I have found another ennobled Giuliani line, more than a century earlier, in Dambel. This line was descended from Romedio Giuliani, who was born sometime around 1595. I have not been able to find out when he received this title, but as there are no Giuliani from Dambel listed in the book of rural nobility from 1525, it would have been granted sometime before the birth of his first child in 1621.
GiusLorenzi suggests this surname came from the word ius, meaning '(legal) right', and says the surname may have been given to someone who exercised his legal rights. As this root is cognate with the root 'jus', from which we get words like 'justice', it seems to me it could also have referred to someone who acted as a judge or jurist, overseeing the law or protecting the rights of others. I should stress, however, Lorenzi's idea is only a hypothesis, and he does not offer any historical evidence to support the connection between the name and the word. Leonardi says it is from the name of a locality, but I haven't been able to find a place of that name. Interestingly, nobody suggests the surname has anything to do with the name 'Giuseppe'.

The surname seems to have arisen in Malosco (historically part of the parish of Sarnonico) in Val di Non. There, the earliest surviving Gius baptismal record is for a Giovanni Gius, born 27 August 1586. As his father Baldassare Gius is said to be 'of Malosco', we know the surname was present there at least as far back as the mid-1500s. By the 19th century, we see it appearing in other parts of Val di Non.
Goldnerinfo to follow
GosettiGossetti; Gosette; Gossetteinfo to follow
GottardiWidely dispersed throughout the province, this is a patronymic surname derived from the male personal name 'Gottardo'. More info to follow.
GraiffGraifGermanic surname derived from the word 'greif', meaning 'griffin', i.e. the mythical birdlike creature. It is found mostly around Romeno and Fondo. See also 'Greifenberg'
GramolaGrammolaGramola is an occupational surname, which Bertoluzza says is derived from the word for a tool used either for untangling hemp, or for kneading bread. Indeed, the term 'pane di gramolato' means 'kneaded bread'. Inscriptions from various sources do suggest that the Gramola were originally a family of bakers.

The earliest example of the surname I have found so far is for an Ognibene Gramola of Deggiano (Val di Sole), son of the late Pietro, who is cited as the sindaco (mayor) of the parish of Sant'Agata (Commezzadura) in a lease agreement dated 24 September 1581 (Ciccolini, vol 1, page 313).

We soon find the surname showing up in the city of Trento by the early 1600s, but they were apparently a branch of the Deggiano Gramola. The 18th-century priest historian Giangrisostomo Tavozzi tells us of a certain Magister Pietro Gramola, who was mentioned as a baker in Trento in 1624, 1631 and 1632, but he does not mention his place of origin. However, Tavozzi further tells us of a charter from the Melchiori family archives, dated 1652, which mentions a 'dominus Bartolomeo, son of another Bartolomeo Gramola of Deggiano in Val di Sole, a baker of Trento'.

Later, we learn of a priest named Giovanni Tommaso Gramola who is mentioned in parish documents in the early 1670s, but who is said to have obtained the rights of citizens of the city of Trento along with his brothers Antonio and Vigilio in 1656. There is a tomb, dated 1671, to this same Antonio Gramola in the church of Santa Maria Maggiore in Trento.

In addition to the above-mentioned Giovanni Tommaso Gramola of Trento, Priest historian P. Remo Stenico mentions four other priests who bore this surname -- three from Trento and one from Deggiano -- all named Pietro. Historian Udalrico Fantelli and his co-authors tell us that the Pietro Gramola from Deggiano, who was born around 1649, was the Curate for Commezzadura for 44 years, from 1678 until his death in 1722.

Stenico also tells us of four Gramola notaries, all from the city of Trento in the 1700s.

Fantelli also tells us of an Andrea Gramola from Deggiano who settled in nearby Carciato in the early 1600s, but the surname died out there by the middle of that century. We also find the surname in Cavalese in Val di Fiemme by the early 1700s, although it appears to have died out in there by the early 1800s.

Looking at the Nati in Trentino database, the surname is still found most prominently in the parish of Deggiano throughout the 19th and 20th centuries. It also appears frequently in Denno, with smaller numbers in Fai della Paganella and the city of Trento.
Grazziinfo to follow
GreifenbergGraifemberg; Graifenberg; GraifimbergGermanic surname comprised of two words: greif ('griffin', i.e. the mythical birdlike creature) and berg (mountain). Bertoluzza says that the Greifenbergs were one of three families (along with the Offer and Schweizer families) to be delegated by the noble Thun family to cultivate the lands in Caldes and Terzolas. So far, I have seen the name Greifenberg solely in Terzolas. See also 'Graiff'.
GrossiCommonly found in parish of Vigo Lomaso (formerly called "Campo"), especially in the frazione of Comano.
GuarientiVarientiThe Guarienti are a very old noble family of Trentino. The surname, sometimes spelled 'Varienti', is derived from the Latin word 'Varientus', possibly meaning 'variant' or 'varied' (but I couldn't begin to guess what the true meaning would have been). Bear in mind that the Latin 'V' was pronounced more like an England 'W' and was thus not so different from the modern pronunciation of 'Gua' (like 'guava'). According to Rauzi, the noble titles for this family came from Prince Bishop Bernardo Clesio (1484-1539), as well as from the Holy Roman Emperors Carlo V (1500-1558), Ferdinando I (1503-1564) and Carlo VI (1685-1704). During the 16th century, they were the owners of the now-ruined Castello di Seregnano near Civezzano (about 5 miles east of the city of Trento), as well as Castel Malosco, located near Fondo. Originally built at least by the 12th century, ownership of Castel Malosco was granted to the Guarienti family in 1579, and it was rebuilt by Count Gerolamo Guarienti in 1593 (one source calls him a Count; another calls him an Earl). The fresco-adorned Casa Nesler, which can still be seen today, bears the coat-of-arms of the Guarienti family from 1576. While one source points out the noble line of the 'Lords of Castel Malosco' ended with the death of Geralamo, another adds that the castle itself remained in the Guarienti family's possession until their male line died out in 1820, at which time it passed into the hands of the Austrian empire. Oddly, Bertoluzza does not include an entry for the surname Guarienti in his book, possibly because it is now extremely rare in Trentino, with only two Trentino Guarienti families (one in Caldes and one in the city of Trento) showing up on the Cognomix website. Other Guarienti appear in other northern provinces.
GuidottiniNow extinct, this is a very old surname found in Bleggio in Val Giudicarie, mostly in the frazione of Bivedo. More info to follow.
GusmerottiGosmero; GosmerotiPatronymic derived from the male personal name 'Gosmero'. In Italian, the suffix '-otto' is a diminutive, added to the end of some words to indicate something smaller in size. Thus, 'Gusmerotto' could refer to a man named Gosmero who was either smaller or younger than another Gosmero, and 'Gusmerotti' would indicate 'the family of Gosmerotto'. In early documents, the surname may sometimes be found written as 'Gosmero'.

This surname is native to the parish of Santa Croce del Bleggio in Val Giudicarie where the Gusmerotti can be found in the frazioni of Villa and Vergonzo at least as far back as the 1520s. In the 1500s, the personal name Gosmero appears commonly as a first name for boys in the Gusmerotti families, indicating its recent connection to the origin of the surname. For example, in a baptismal record dated 21 January 1579 for named Blasia (Biagia), daughter of Bartolomeo, son of the late Gosmero Gusmerotti of Vergonzo. Thus, the late grandfather Gosmero was most likely born around 1520. The earliest Gusmerotti record I have found is a baptismal record for Cattarina, daughter of Blasio (Biagio) Gusmerotti of Villa, born 6 June 1566. Throughout the 1500s, the Vergonzo branch frequently used the soprannome 'Jacobi' to distinguish themselves from the Villa lines, possibly indicating descent from a patriarch named Giacomo Gusmerotti. Some records actually only refer to them by this soprannome, so you are likely to miss them in the register unless you are aware of this.

Around the year 1700, some branches start to appear in Duvredo, the frazione adjacent to Vergonzo. Later still, one Lorenzo Antonio of the Vergonzo Gusmerotti started a new line in the frazione of Bono in the same parish, when he married Anna Maria Luigia Onorati of Bono in 1792. For the most part, the Gusmerotti appear to have been contadini (subsistence farmers), although I have found a reference in a marriage record for a Maurizio 'Costantino' Domenico Gusmerotti of Bono (born 22 September 1837) who was a tailor by trade.

While this surname still survives in their native parish, today it is actually more commonly found abroad, amongst the descendants of Gusmerotti who emigrated to the US and Argentina in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
HolnaiderInfo to follow
IanesJanesPronounced 'ee-YAH-ness', Ianes is one of many patronymic surnames derived from the name for 'John', but via the Latin form 'Johannes' (rather than the Italian 'Giovanni'), which can also appear as 'Ionesio' in medieval records. (Side note: we can see how the English name 'Ian' comes from the same root). For this reason, even though the letter 'J' is not used in the Italian alphabet, it often seen written as 'Janes' through the 19th century.

By all accounts, the ancestral home of the Ianes family appears to have been Raina in the parish of Castelfondo.

The earliest mention of the surname I have found so far is in the pergamene (parchment) archives of the parish of San Nicolo' in Castelfondo, in a debt agreement dated 5 May 1476 in Melango (Castelfondo), in which an Antonio Ianes of Raina is one of the parties. In the next generation, on 4 December 1513, we find a dispute between the people of Castelfondo and Cloz, in which a Valentino Antonio Ianes of Raina is named as the 'gastaldo' (elected steward / representative) of the community.

The surname appears right from the beginning of the surviving parish records for Castelfondo; the first baptismal record for a Ianes is from 11 July 1567, for an Antonio, son of Giacomo Ianes of Raina.

Both Stenico and Gius list several priests with this surname. The earliest of these was a Valentino Ianes, most likely the son of another Valentino (apparently a recurring male name in this family during this era), who served as a beneficiato (a priest hired to celebrate a certain number of Masses as a service for the benefit of the parish, or for a specific patron of that parish) in Castelfondo in 1639, and was later the parroco (pastor) of Senale in South Tyrol from 1645-1649. In his death record, dated 1 August 1660 in the Castelfondo, he is referred as the 'Noble' don Reverend Valentino Ianes', but I can find no information regarding the nobility of this family, and no mention of nobility is made in what I believe is his baptismal record in 1615.

Another priest worthy of mention is Viglio Ianes of Raina, who served as the curate (equivalent of the pastor, but for a 'daughter' parish) of Dovena from 1848-1861. He was born in Raina on 24 September 1809, and died 1 June 1886 (apparently not in Castelfondo).

Embedded in the wall of the church of San Nicolo' on the perimeter of the parish cemetery for Castelfondo, there is beautiful tombstone for an Agostino Janes (1808-1877) and his wife Rosa Marchetti (1810-1851), who had 12 children together between 1830-1849.
InamaIn my own research, I have found this surname as far back as the early 1600s in the parish of Sarnonico in Val di Non. More info to follow.
IobSee 'Job'
IoriIori; Iorio; de Iorio; Ioriatti; Ioriati; Ioris; Iuriatti; Joris; Joriatti; Juriatti; Yori (in America)See 'Jori'
JanesSee 'Ianes'
Jobde Giobe; Giobbe; Giobe; Iob; Jobi; Joppis; de JoppisJob is patronymic surname, with two possible origins. According to Bertoluzza, it is a contraction of 'Giacobbe' or 'Giacopo', which are antiquated forms of the male personal name 'Giacomo', which becomes shortened to 'Iop' in some Trentino dialects. Personally, I am more inclined to think it is derived from the male personal name 'Giobbe', from the name 'Job' (in English spelling) in the Old Testament. The man's name 'Iob' recurs frequently as given name in this family, so you will often see the name 'Iob Iob' in older records.

The letter 'J' is not used in modern Italian, and it is usually replaced with an 'I', as they would be pronounced the same (similar to slightly elongated 'y' in modern English). In older records, the two spellings (Job and Iob) are more or less interchangeable.

According to historian Livio Job, the Job were living in Cunevo in the 'comitato' of Flavon (Val di Non) at least since the beginning of the 1400s. The earliest Job he identifies in his genealogy is a 'Baldassare de Joppis', who was alive in the year 1409, and had at least three sons.

A very old noble family, they produced many notaries and government officials, especially in the 1500-1600s. One branch of the family transferred from Cunevo to the city of Trento by the year 1543.

Tabarelli de Fatis tells us that the right to use a stemma was granted to Gaspare and Antonio Iob of Flavon by Archduke Ferdinando on 25 March 1568. Later, on 10 December 1604, the rank of imperial nobility was granted to Giovanni Gaspare Iob and Gaspare Iob, cousins, by Emperor Rodolfo II (Tabarelli de Fatis does not say which line these cousins came from, however).

Most likely born around 1515, a Dr 'Iob Iob' (also written 'Iob de Iob') of Trento, son of Antonio Iob of Cunevo, was a prominent notary between 1543-1581, as well as a Chancellor of the city of Trento. His name and stemma appear in the lower right corner of the frontispiece of the Libro della Cittadinanza (book of citizenship) for the city of Trento in 1577.

From Cunevo, the noble archpriest Dr Gaspare Job was parroco (pastor) of the parish of Fondo from 1639 through 1664. On the frontispiece of Volume 2 of the baptismal records for the parish of Fondo, we find some impressive artwork, presumably drawn by don Gaspare himself, marking his inaugural year as parroco.

The stemma at the top of this frontispiece is not his own, but rather that of the then Prince Bishop of Trento, Carlo Emanuele Madruzzo. However, Tabarelli de Fatis tells us that don Gaspare's stemma, along with others from the Job family, appear in the manuscript 2606 (Libro della Cittadinanza di Trento) at the Archivio Storico del Comune di Trento.
JoriIori; Iorio; de Iorio; Ioriatti; Ioriati; Ioris; Iuriatti; Joris; Joriatti; Juriatti; Yori (in America)Patronymic surname derived from the Latin male personal name 'Georgius', from the Greek 'Georgios', meaning 'a husbandman or farmer'. This name is 'Giorgio' modern Italian and, of course, 'George' in English.

Some notes about spelling and pronunciation are warranted here. In Latin, the letter 'J' was pronounced like an 'I'. Thus, in older Latin records (and even to the present day), you will often see this surname spelled 'Jori'. Of those who spell it 'Jori' today, it is most frequently seen in Val Giudicarie, especially Bivedo in Santa Croce del Bleggio. In parishes further north (Denno, Flavon, Valfloriana, Alba di Canazei e Penia, Nanno, Brez, Mezzolombardo, et. al.) it is more likely to be spelled 'Iori'. The variant 'Ioris' appears most frequently in Nanno.

Regardless of its spelling, Jori/Iori will be always been pronounced 'ee-OH-ree'. Some English speakers pronounce the initial diphthong as a 'y', but I feel it is more accurate to enunciate it as three distinct syllables, rather than two.

Bertoluzza says the surname first appeared in Val d'Adige and Val di Pine'. However, as with many patronymics, it will be widely dispersed not only throughout the province, but also in other regions in the Italian peninsula. Both versions of the surname are, in fact, much more common outside of Trentino, especially in Emilia-Romagna, Lazio and Lombardia.

The earliest Trentino example Bertoluzza cites is a 'Giovanni Iori (son of Antonio) of Celentino', who died in 1580. In my own research, there were two early Jori families living in the parish of Bleggio in the beginning of the 1500s, one in the frazione of Tignerone (headed by Antognoli Jori), and another in the frazione of Bivedo (headed by Girardo Jori). The Bivedo line exists there to this day.

Stenico lists many priests with the surname Iori, Ioris, etc., the earliest of whom is Antonio Ioris of Nanno, whose name appears in parish records between 1582-1606. He also lists a few Iori notaries, all from Val di Non, the earliest being Giovanni Battista Iori of Cles, whose name appears in records in 1599.

Family historian Sal Romano suggests that the Iori of Flavon may have their roots in Nanno, as they appear to have descended from an Agostino Giovanni Iori of Nanno (born around 1786), who relocated to Flavon when he married into the Poda family from that parish in 1812. He stresses this is at present a hypothesis as, unfortunately, all records for Flavon before 1802 were lost in a fire.

Tabarelli de Fatis says there was a Iori line from Romeno who are listed in the catalogue of noble gentry in Valli di Non and Sole in 1636, but he offers no information about how/when this title was bestowed.

From the world of the arts, Bertoluzza mentions sculptor Giovanni Andrea Iori (born 1763) of Penia di Canazei and painter Giovanni Battista Ioris of Denno (1801-1842). In politics, he mentions Guido Iori (1912-1987), also from Penia di Canazei, a fascist and journalist who formed the 'Lega Indipendente Ladini delle Dolomiti'.

In religion, he mentions Father Eusebio Iori of Revo' (1918-1979), a Capuchin friar and military chaplain who served as a regent of the 'Campana dei Caduti' ('The Bell of the Fallen'), the aim of which is to honour the fallen of all wars, and invoke peace and brotherhood amongst all peoples of the world.

TIP: The first name 'Giorgio' is also sometimes written as 'Jori' or 'Iori' in older records. Thus, as it's both a first name and a surname, I have actually seen the name 'Jori Jori' (i.e. Giorgio Iori) on more than one occasion. This is especially common when sons are named after their paternal grandfathers. Bear this in mind when you are trying to make sense of Jori records.
JuriattiInfo to follow
KellerCheller; Cheler; Chellari; ChelariOften spelled with a 'Ch' instead of 'K' Trentino records (written by Italian-speaking priests), the surname is actually KELLER and is of German origin. According to Bertoluzza, when it appears in Trentino, it is seen almost exclusively in Cles. In German, the word 'keller' means a cellar, specifically referring to a 'cantina' used for cold storage of foods and wine, etc. Bertoluzza says as a surname it actually means 'cantiniere', a term for someone in charge of food stores and/or catering (such as in a monastery).
KoflerKoffler; CoflerToponymic surname of Germanic origin derived from the name of a locality called Kofl (Koefele) in South Tyrol. There is also a maso (homestead) in Proves in South Tyrol with this same name. It should be noted that, although Proves is now part of the diocese of Bolzano in South Tyrol, it was once part of the parish of Revo' in the diocese of Trento in Trentino. Thus, the surname 'Kofler' would refer to someone who came from one of these two places.

In my own research, I have seen the name in the records for Ruffre' (historically part of the parish of Sarnonico in Val di Non) back to the mid-1500s. Said to have started out as a Germanic settlement, virtually all the surnames in Ruffe' are Germanic in origin.

The original German spelling of the surname is with a 'K', and it nearly always appears in Ruffe' records spelled with a K. But as Italian speakers do not use this letter in their language, you will see it spelled 'Cofler' in some places (Rovereto, for example) where the local people have less Germanic influence.
LappiBertoluzza says this surname is a patronymic derived from the male personal name 'Lapo', with is an abbreviated form of the name 'Iacopo', which means 'born second in a twin birth'. Historian Ennio Lappi says the Lappi originated in Isola di Malo in the diocese of Vicenza (Veneto).

According to Ennio Lappi's research, the first Lappi to appear in Trentino documentation is a Francesco who takes up a five-year residence in Pieve di Ledro (Val di Ledro) in 1718, after having lived for many years in Riva del Garda. He cites several other documents in which we learn that both Francesco and his brother Girolamo are pharmacists (which appears to be the family occupation), and that their father Bortolo and grandfather Francesco Lappi were from 'Isola di Mallo' (now known as Isola Vicentina), in the Diocese of Vicenza.

Lappi goes on to tell us that, by 1744, Girolamo (born ca. 1703; died 18 Aug 1782) had moved to Stenico in Val Giudicarie, practising as an apothecary and surgeon and. Then, on 16 January 1745, and after some stringent 'pre-nuptials' imposed by his wealthy bride-to-be, Girolamo marries the rich local heiress, Anna Domenica Zorzi, daughter of the late doctor Giorgio Aliprando Zorzi. As Anna Domenica was already in her forties, the couple had only two children, of whom only one -- a son named Giorgio Aliprando Giuseppe Germano Lappi (born 29 May 1746) -- grew up to pass on the Lappi surname in Stenico. Giorgio was married first to Teresa Tozzi of Vezzano (who died at age 33), and then to Rosa Albertini of Premione. Sadly, Lappi tells us, Giorgio's life seems to have been fraught with financial and legal tribulations. Lappi tells us that, after Giorgio's death, his widow Rosa supported herself into her old age as a midwife, earning the nickname 'vecchia mammana' (the old midwife).

Since the beginning of the 19th century (and through the end of the public records in 1923), the surname in Trentino can be found exclusively in Stenico. There are at least two branches of the Stenico Lappi who migrated to the United States. Ennio Lappi provides a family tree and genealogical details of all of all of Giorgio's descendants on his website at http://enniolappi.altervista.org/genealogia-lappi.html .
LarcherLarger; LargherAccording to Lorenzi, this surname is derived from the German word 'Larche', which refers to a larch tree. Bertoluzza says its origins in Trentino are in Folgaria and Ruffre', and that the variant 'Largher' is found in Cavalese. In my own research, I have found it prominently in the village of Ruffre' (historically part of the parish of Sarnonico) in Val di Non, where it goes back to at least the mid-1500s.
LeonardiOne of many patronymic surnames derived from the male personal name 'Leonardo', meaning 'strong and valorous like a lion'. It is found in numerous places around the province, including the city of Trento, Rovereto, Tuenno, Cles, Brez, Arco, Riva del Garda, Civezzano and various other places including Val Giudicarie. In the Giudicarie, the surname seems to have originated in Preore, with a branch migrating to Saone around the late 1700s.
LeonardelliLeonardi (early records only); LeonardeliPatronymic derived from male personal name Leonardo. It appears in many parts of the province. While some of these lines are ancestrally connected, as is the case with many patronymics, others evolved independently.

Between the years 1815-1923, there were 1,412 Leonardelli births in Trentino, with an additional 23 recorded under 'Leonardelli'. About half of these births were in various parishes in the comuni of Pergine Valsugana and Baselga di Pine'. Authors Beber and Zampedri tell us the various Leonardelli lines in Pergine (which have been there since the early 1600s) can all be traced back to Baselga di Pine'. During those years, we also find the surname in Coredo, Spormaggiore, Coredo, Faedo, Mezzocorona, and the cities of Trento and Rovereto.

The surname also used to be found in in various frazioni of Val di Rumo, including Marcena, Corte Inferiore, Mione, and Cenigo. As the first volume of baptismal register for Marcena di Rumo has been lost with time, the earliest surviving register begins in 1599. Within the first few pages of the register, we find at least three Leonardelli households having children in the first few years, headed by a Leonardo, Domenico, and Giacomo Leonardelli. The 1611 Carta di Regola for Rumo lists at least three adult men with the surname 'Leonardi' (Giacomo, Giovanni Antonio, Antonio), which we can presume is a variant of Leonardelli. The fact we find at least five different Leonardelli adult males between 1599-1611 is a good indication that the surname was already well-established in the parish of Marcena di Rumo by the mid-1500s. However, the last Leonardelli of Rumo was born in 1804, and with the death of Giacomo Leonardelli of Cenigo, age of 76, on 12 Sept 1839, the surname went extinct in that parish.

The Cognomix website estimates there are about 172 Leonardelli families living in Trentino today, about two-thirds of which live in Baselga di Pine' and Pergine Valsugana.
LevriDerived from the Latin word 'leporis' meaning 'rabbit', it is sometimes written in its Latin form in older records. A very old surname found especially in Fiave' in Val Giudicarie, it was the surname of a family renowned for its many notaries. More info to follow.
LitteriniFound prominently in the parish of Tavodo in Val Giudicarie. I haven't researched this name in detail yet, but the earliest Litterini I have found so far is Antonio Litterini of Villa Banale, who was born around 1690.
LocatelliOriginating in the province of Bergamo, Locatelli is a widely diffused surname in the north of Italy, mostly in Lombardia. It is a toponymic surname, indicating the family were originally from the comune of Locatello in Valle Imagna, roughly 25 kilometres northwest of the city of Bergamo.

Some sources say the first Locatelli were wool merchants, notable landowners, and 'Guelphs' (supporters of the Pope). Heavy taxation and political pressures caused some branches to leave their homeland. While the Bergamo family was reportedly ennobled as far back as the year 1200, many of these migrating branches were later granted additional noble titles. The most ancient of these mentioned by author Crollalanza are the Locatelli of Rovigo (Veneto), who were ennobled in 1460. Other noble branches appeared in Bologna, Bassano and Assisi, and even in Sicily (where the surname is spelled 'Locadelli').

In Trentino, the Locatelli seem to have arrived much later, first appearing in Dro' (Alto Garda, in the southern part of the province) in the early years of the 1700s. In the parish register for Dro' we find a baptismal record dated 22 December 1724 for a Pietro Antonio Locatelli, whose father Giacomo is described as being 'from Bergamo, now living in Dro'. There is no mention of nobility in that record, nor is the family listed amongst any of my sources for Trentino nobility.

Through the 19th century, the surname continued to be found primarily in Dro', with a few branches starting to appear in other localities (mostly in the south), such as Riva del Garda, Roncegno, Condino and Rovereto. Today it can also be found in more northern parts of the province.
LolataSurname found most frequently in Grigno in Valsugana. More info to follow.
LongoInfo to follow
LorenghiLorengoBertoluzza says this surname is a patronymic derived from the male personal name 'Lodarengo'. He says the surname Lorenzo originates in Val di Rabbi, but gives no further information. I have found this surname in Castelfondo in the mid-1600s, where it may possibly be a soprannome, not a surname. More info to follow.
LorenziPatronymic surname derived from the male personal name Lorenzo. As with many patronymics, it is widely dispersed throughout the province, and the families are not necessarily related to each other. More info to follow.
LorenzoniPatronymic surname derived from the male personal name Lorenzo. As with many patronymics, it is widely dispersed throughout the province, and the families are not necessarily related to each other. In my own research, the earliest Lorenzoni I have found so far is a Lorenzo Lorenzoni, born around 1535, who was originally from Cles, but moved to Romallo in the parish of Revo' (Val di Non). He had at least three sons, two of whom are mentioned in the Carta di Regola for Romallo dated 24 April 1598 (by which time he was already deceased). My guess is that this Lorenzo is the patriarch of the Lorenzoni of Romallo.
LucaLuccaSurname found most frequently in Valsugana and Tesino. More info to follow.
Luchesainfo to follow
Lutteriniinfo to follow
Luzzatiinfo to follow
MaffeiSee detailed article Origins of the Many MAFFEI Families of Trentino - Theories and Evidence. Soon to become available as a downloadable PDF from the Trentino Genealogy Digital Shop.
Magagnadel Min; MinaBertoluzza says the surname Magagna comes from a soprannomi that would have been given to someone with some sort of defect, ailment, or misfortune. He cites a document from 1292 where this soprannome appears in Valsugana, but as surnames were not in common practice in that era, that person may have no connection to the Magagna families of later centuries.

Historically, the surname Magagna is most closely associated with Revo' in Val di Non, with later branches expanding from Revo' into Brez and Fondo. All of these lines continue to this day. Below is an overview of the early lines from each branch.

REVO': We know the Magagna were living in Revo' at least by the early 1400s. In a document dated 19 July 1472, we find a Giovanni Domenico Magagna of Revo', son of the late Giuliano, selling a plot of arable land to the sindaco (mayor) of the parish of Preghena. As Giovanni Domenico must have been a legal adult (i.e., at least 25 years of age) at that time, he would have been born no later than 1440 or so, and his (late) father perhaps about 30 years earlier. In 1516, we find 'Paolo, son of the late Pietro, son of the late Giovanni Magagna of Revo'' settling a debt owed to Count Antonio Thun, placing the deceased Giovanni in roughly the same generation as the above-mentioned Giuliano.

By the time of the 1624 Revo' census, we find a total of eight Magagna households living in Revo' (albeit two of them are older couples), but half of these households were entered under the soprannome 'del Min' (sometimes written 'Mina') rather than 'Magagna'. The high number of family groups, plus the fact that a soprannome was needed to differentiate the various lines, are indicators that the surname had been present there for many generations.

BREZ: By the end of the 1500s, we find a branch of the Revo' family living in the nearby parish of Brez, when a Bartolomeo Magagna of Revo' was given the management of the mill on the Novella river in 1579. I have found baptismal records for six children born to Bartolomeo and his wife Libera between 1582-1595, and there were also two elder sons referenced in various parchments. Based on my research, it does seem that all of the Magagna of Brez are descended from this couple. The family profession was nearly as enduring as their surname, as I have found over two dozen Magagna men who worked as millers in Brez into the late 1800s. Ruffini tells us that more than 30 Magagna emigrated from Brez to places outside the province in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

FONDO: By the early 1600s, the surname also starts to show up in the parish of Fondo, again its roots in Revo' . There were at least two separate lines that settled in Fondo. The earliest was with patriarch Gervasio Magagna of Revo' , who was already living in Fondo before the Revo' census of 1624. Although the male descendants of this line appear to have died out in the 1700s, another Fondo line started via Brez when an Adamo Sigismondo Magagna of Brez married Domenica Bertagnolli of Fondo on 11 August 1722. Born in Brez on 21 December 1695, Adamo was the son of Giacomo Magagna of Brez and his second wife Domenica Canestrini of Cloz. Like his predecessors, Giacomo worked as a miller. He was to be his father's last child, as Giacomo died in 1697, at the age of 41.

Identifying Adamo was a challenge. His father's name does not appear either in his marriage record or his death record. Nor does his father's name appear in any of his children's baptismal records, nor in in any of the eight instances where he is cited as a godfather. Moreover, not one of Fondo records says he came from Brez. However, there isn't a single Adamo of any surname born in Fondo between 1670-1705, and the Adamo from Brez is the only Adamo Magagna born anywhere within the correct timeframe. Also, the naming pattern of his children are consistent with his parents' names. I haven't yet found out what happened to Adamo's mother, but as his father would have been deceased since he was an infant, it is certainly feasible his decision to shift locations was influenced by a need to find financial stability, possibly through his wife's family.

Adamo died at the relatively young age of 47, but not before he fathered at least nine children with his wife Domenica Bertagnolli. I have entered all of the Magagna births in Fondo through 1923, and all (with the exception of a Magagna or two who were just 'passing through' Fondo) are of them descended from this couple.

Aside from these three Magagna lines, there was also a line in Dambel (again, originating in Revo') that began in the early 1600s, but all their male descendants appear to have died out by the early 1700s.
MaijerhofMajerhofinfo to follow
MaistrelliInfo to follow
MalacarneMalacarniComprised of two words (male + carne) that literally mean 'bad meat', Bertoluzza suggests it may have originally been a soprannome given to a butcher who sold bad meat, and would, in any case, have referred to someone of bad character. Despite its negative meaning, this very old surname survives to this day, dispersed throughout Val Giudicarie in Saone, Favrio in Preore (present-day Ragoli), Storo, and most prominently in many frazioni in the parish of Santa Croce del Bleggio. It is also found around the Riva del Garda area. The oldest Malacarne notary cited by P. Remo Stenico is Bartolomeo Malacarne, son of Nicolo', from Favrio in Preore, who signature appears in records as early as 1603. The earliest Malacarne individual I have found so far in my own research is a Simone Malacarne of Sesto in Santa Croce, most likely born around 1495, but there are many other Malacarne families living around the same time in other parts of the same parish. Bertoluzza cites a 'Benvenuto, called Malacarne' of Comighello (which is near Sesto), who appears a century earlier, in a document dated 1391.
ManfrediniFound in and near the parish of Preore in Val Giudicarie. More info to follow.
ManfroniInfo to follow
MantovaniMantoan, Mantovan, Mantovanelli, MantovanelloThe surname Mantovani means 'someone who comes from Mantova', which is commonly known as 'Mantua' in English. Mantova is a city in the province of the same name, in the region of Lombardia (Lombardy). Bertoluzza says the Trentino surname originated around Arco and Riva del Garda (which are close to the border of Lombardia) and nearby areas as early as the year 1268. P. Remo Stenico cites a 'Mantovano' who was a Trentino notary as early as 1302. Bertoluzza also mentions that there is a street in the city of Trento called 'Via della Mantovana' (not far from the present-day diocesan archives), running through a locality formerly called 'La Mantovana', where a community of farmers from Mantova cultivated crops in earlier centuries. While the name has been in Trentino a long time, anyone with this surname in their family history can be assured that they have Lombardian roots via this line. Although from Venice, not Trentino, arguably the most famous Mantovani of the modern era was Annunzio Paolo Mantovani (1905-1980), the light-orchestral composer most known for his 'cascading strings' and movie themes, known worldwide simply as 'Mantovani'.
Maranainfo to follow
MarchettiOnce of dozens of patronymic surnames derived from the male personal name 'Marco', and having the meaning of 'dedicated to Mars'. The specific name 'Marchetti' is prominently found in Castelfondo (usually in the frazione of Dovena), but I have also found it in Bresimo back to the 1600s. I my own research, the earliest Marchetti I have identified so far is an Antonio Marchetti of Dovena, who was born around 1555.
MarchiOnce of dozens of patronymic surnames derived from the male personal name 'Marco', and having the meaning of 'dedicated to Mars'.
MarchioriMelchioriFrequently seen in its original form 'Melchiori', this surname is a patronymic derived from the male personal name 'Melchiore', which Bertoluzza says means 'God is my king'. It is also the name of one of the three Magi from the Bible. As with many patronymics, the name appears (in both spellings) widely dispersed in many parts of the province, and the common surname does not necessarily indicate these families are related to each other. 'Marchiori' has been prominent for many centuries in Giudicarie Esteriore, most notably in the parish of Saone, where it is still quite common. I have also found it in Campo Lomaso and Bleggio (particularly the frazione of Bivedo) in records from the 1500s, but it appears to have died out in those parishes in more recent centuries. It also has a long history in Val di Non and Val di Sole, where several noble families with this surname appear. The noble 'Melchiori' family from Cles in Val di Non is descended from a notary named Melchiore Benassuti, whose sons were ennobled in 1437, after which the family adopted the surname from their patriarch's personal name. Historian Tabarelli De Fatis theorises that the noble Melchiori family from Zuanna in Val di Sole might be a branch of that family from Cles. There is also Melchiori family (sometimes spelled Marchiori) from Moena who were ennobled in 1577. A merchant from Trento named Giovanni Pietro Marchiori and his brother Gaspare were ennobled by emperor Carlo VI in 1737, after which they adopted the suffix '(Marchiori) von Terlaghoff'.
MarcollaOnce of dozens of patronymic surnames derived from the male personal name 'Marco', and having the meaning of 'dedicated to Mars'. While the variations are widespread throughout the province, 'Marcolla' is found prominently in Val di Non, especially in Vigo di Ton.
MarconiOnce of dozens of patronymic surnames derived from the male personal name 'Marco', and having the meaning of 'dedicated to Mars'.
MardenMarden is an ancient surname for exclusively in Sarnonico in Val di Non. One of the oldest surviving baptismal records for that parish is for a Giacomo Marden, born 30 December 1585. It appears to have gone extinct in Trentino sometime in the second half of the 19th century.

While none of my Trentino resources have offered any information about the linguistic origins of this surname, it seems likely its origins are in municipality of Auronzo di Cadore in the province of Belluno, Veneto, which is roughly about 100 miles due east of Sarnonico, still in the Dolomite mountains. There we find the 'double barrelled' surname 'Pais Marden', which is still in existence, albeit rare (apparently, all the ancient surnames of Auronzo di Cadore were double surnames).
Maresiainfo to follow
MarinelliPatronymic derived from the Etruscan male name 'Marino', having the meaning 'living and/or working by the sea'. The surname Marinelli is native to Val di Non, in the Sanzeno area. It is also found in Val Giudicarie, via one Francesco Marinelli (son of Giacomo) who, circa 1749, moved from Val di Non first to Tenno, and later to the parish of Santa Croce del Bleggio.
MartignonOne of many patronymic surnames derived from the male personal name 'Martino'. In my own research, I have found 'Martignon in the parish of Sarnonico in Val di Non as far back as the early 1600s. More info to follow.
MartinelliOne of many patronymic surnames derived from the male personal name 'Martino'.
MartiniOne of many patronymic surnames derived from the male personal name 'Martino'. As with many patronymics, it is found in various parts of the province. See detailed article, covering many of the different Martini lines of the province, at The MARTINI Families of Trentino. Origins, Connections, Nobility, and Challenges of Research. Also available as a downloadable PDF from the Trentino Genealogy Digital Shop.
Mascottiinfo to follow
MassenzaMassenziFound predominently in in Cloz and Caldes. More info to follow
MatelliBertoluzza says this surname is most likely derived from the dialect word 'matel', which means a boy child. Indigenous to Saone in Val Giudicarie, the name can be found in records for that parish as far back as the late 1500s. The surname also appears to a lesser degree in nearby Preore.
Mattanainfo to follow
MatteiOne of many patronymic surnames derived from the male personal name 'Matteo', which Bertoluzza says means 'gift of God'. (more info to follow).
MatteviMattiviOne of many patronymic surnames derived from the male personal name 'Matteo', which Bertoluzza says means 'gift of God'. Until the second half of the 19th century, the specific variant 'Mattevi' was pretty much exclusively found in the parish of Segonzano (Val di Cembra). Stenico lists several priests with this surname, the earliest being Giovanni Mattevi of Segonzano (1781-1860). The earliest Mattevi I have found so far in my own research is a Bartolomeo, born around 1730 in the frazione of Gresta, also in Segonzano.
MaturiMatturi, Maduri, Madur, de Maturi, de MaturisSee detailed article The MATURI of Pinzolo, Mezzana, Cavizzana and Caldes.. Also available as a downloadable PDF from the Trentino Genealogy Digital Shop.
MazzaBertoluzza proposes this surname is one of many derived from the root 'mazza' (meaning a 'mace', 'sledgehammer' or 'club'), appearing first in Val Giudicaire. Thus, it could have referred to a craftsman or perhaps someone engaged in the art of war. On that note, some authors have suggested that it is a soprannome, used in jest, derived from the word ammazzare, which means 'to kill' or 'to slay'. Others say it is from a male personal name 'Mazzo'. The Mazza surname is one of the earliest appearing in parish records in Val Giudicaire. An Alberto Mazza' lived (and had a family) in the frazione of Madice in the present-day parish of Santa Croce del Bleggio in 1570-80s, although it is unclear if he was born there. A Segna Mazza (who was probably related to Alberto) moved from Sclemo (in San Lorenzo in Banale) to Madice by 1600, when he married Dorotea Sicheri of that village.
MazzoliMazzolli; MazzolaBertoluzza proposes this surname is one of many derived from the root 'mazza' (meaning a 'mace', 'sledgehammer' or 'club'), appearing first in Val Giudicaire. Thus, it could have referred to a craftsman or perhaps someone engaged in the art of war. On that note, some authors have suggested that it is a soprannome, used in jest, derived from the word ammazzare, which means 'to kill' or 'to slay'. Others say it is from a male personal name 'Mazzo'.
MazzoliniMazzollini; Mazzoletta The Italian word 'mazzolini' is the plural form of mazzolino, which means a bouquet of flowers.

In Trentino, the surname Mazzolini is almost exclusively found in the parish of Brez, especially in the frazione of Traversara. Relatively uncommon in the province, the surname is found more prominently in other parts of the Italian peninsula, mostly in the north, with the highest concentration in the region of Lombardia. There is, in fact, a village called Mazzolino in the municipality of Corvino San Quirico in the province of Pavia, Lombardia, lying roughly 40 miles south of the city of Milan. Thus, it is possible that, rather than literally referring to flowers, the surname may be a toponymic with the meaning 'someone from the place called Mazzolino'.

Brez historian Bruno Ruffini tells us that the Mazzolini came to Traversara from Peio in Val di Sole (parish of Ossana) in the first half of the 1600s. He based his assertation on a notary document drafted in Fondo on 18 November 1656, which cites 'Giovanni and Bartolomeo Mazzolini, brothers, of Peio in the parish of Ossana, Val di Sole, living in Traversara.'

Although we have no parish records for Peio going that far back as they were destroyed in a fire, we do have a few other documents that might help. We have, for example, the Carta di Regola (Charter of Rules) for Peio that was drafted on 1 March 1522; however, we note that there are no Mazzolini (or any close variant) in that charter, telling us they had either not yet arrived in Peio by that date, or they were newly arrived and not yet recognised as 'vicini' (official 'neighbours' entitled to the right to vote in local decision-making).

A century later, we find a tax register for the parish of Ossana, which was recorded on 25 April 1633. In the section for the comune of Peio, we find an entry for a 'Magistri Bartolomeo Mazzoletta.' The word 'Magistri' is an honourific generally used when referring to master craftsmen of some kind (blacksmith, mason, tailor, carpenters, cobblers, coopers, etc.). On the following page, we also find a 'Domenica, widow of Mazzoletta' as well as a 'Giovanni Mazzoletta'. As 'Mazzoletta' is not a surname, I believe it may be a misspelling of Mazzolini. If this is the case, it means the Mazzolini were present in Peio on this date. Thus, we can deduce that the Mazzolini/Mazzoletta most likely arrived in Peio in the latter half of the 1500s (possibly from outside the province, but that is pure conjecture).

Moving forward to the parish of Brez, the first recorded birth of a Mazzolini there is for a Giovanni Maria Mazzolini, born 31 December 1633, the son of Giovanni Mazzolini and (I believe) Dorotea Albertini. We also note that there are no Mazzolini mentioned in the Carta di Regola for Brez, which was drafted on 5 January 1603.

Piecing together all this information, and presuming 'Mazzoletta' = Mazzolini), it seems that the Mazzolini moved from Peio to Traversara between April and December 1633. Note that, in 1630, there was a major outbreak of plague in Trentino, and we find many families in the province shifting to new villages in the years that followed, their lives having been greatly unsettled by the high number of deaths amongst family and neighbours.

Having worked through the parish records for Brez, I have constructed the early generations for this family to the best of my ability. I have theorised that the 'Magistri Bartolomeo' mentioned in the 1633 tax register for Peio is in fact Bartolomeo Mazzolini, and that he was the founding father of the Mazzolini of Brez. In a death record dated 29 April 1657, we find a 'Virgilia, wife of the late Bartolomeo Mazzolini, living in Traversara'. The wording 'living in ('incola') Traversara' as opposed to 'of Traversara', would usually indicate he was not originally from there.

As Bartolomeo's death record is not in the surviving death register that begins in March 1653, we can presume he died before that date. Thus, he cannot be the 'Bartolomeo Mazzolini' referred to as the brother of Giovanni in the 1656 document cited by Bruno Ruffini. My conclusion is that Giovanni and Bartolomeo were the sons of the elder Bartolomeo and his wife Virgilia, and that this Giovanni is the 'Giovanni Mazzoletta' in the Peio tax register. Interestingly, he is also referred to as 'Magistri' when he is older, indicating there may have been a family trade that I have not yet identified. As the younger Bartolomeo is not mentioned in the tax register, I presume he was not yet an adult householder in 1633. My research has helped me identify another man named Fabiano, whom I believe was another brother. Both Giovanni and Fabiano had daughters named Virgilia – a most uncommon name.

The surname still exists in the parish of Brez today. I believe all these Mazzolini are descended from Bartolomeo and Virgilia's son Giovanni and his wife Dorotea Albertini, but gaps in records and the lack of children's death records make it difficult to say this with 100% confidence. Their son Giacomo settled in Raina in Castelfondo when he married in 1656, but as all his children were female, a new line of Mazzolini did not start there.

Ruffini tells us that more than 20 Mazzolini emigrated to America in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
MazzoniBertoluzza proposes this surname is one of many derived from the root 'mazza' (meaning a 'mace', 'sledgehammer' or 'club'), appearing first in Val Giudicarie. Thus, it could have referred to a craftsman or perhaps someone engaged in the art of war. On that note, some authors have suggested that it is a soprannome, used in jest, derived from the word ammazzare, which means 'to kill' or 'to slay'. Others say it is from a male personal name 'Mazzo'. The variant Mazzoni appears predominantly in Tione (at least as far back as the 1600s), as well as nearby parishes of Tenno, Pranzo and Bolbeno. One branch of Mazzoni arose in Cavrasto (Santa Croce del Bleggio) in the mid-1700s, when an Antonio Mazzoni from Tione married Lucia Bleggi of Cavrasto, where they apparently stayed and raised their family.
MelchioriMarchioriFrequently seen in its original form 'Melchiori', this surname is a patronymic derived from the male personal name 'Melchiore', which Bertoluzza says means 'God is my king'. It is also the name of one of the three Magi from the Bible. As with many patronymics, the name appears (in both spellings) widely dispersed in many parts of the province, and the common surname does not necessarily indicate these families are related to each other. 'Marchiori' has been prominent for many centuries in Giudicarie Esteriore, most notably in the parish of Saone, where it is still quite common. I have also found it in Campo Lomaso and Bleggio (particularly the frazione of Bivedo) in records from the 1500s, but it appears to have died out in those parishes in more recent centuries. It also has a long history in Val di Non and Val di Sole, where several noble families with this surname appear. The noble 'Melchiori' family from Cles in Val di Non is descended from a notary named Melchiore Benassuti, whose sons were ennobled in 1437, after which the family adopted the surname from their patriarch's personal name. Historian Tabarelli De Fatis theorises that the noble Melchiori family from Zuanna in Val di Sole might be a branch of that family from Cles. There is also Melchiori family (sometimes spelled Marchiori) from Moena who were ennobled in 1577. A merchant from Trento named Giovanni Pietro Marchiori and his brother Gaspare were ennobled by emperor Carlo VI in 1737, after which they adopted the suffix '(Marchiori) von Terlaghoff'.
MenapaceInfo to follow
MenghiniSurname found most prominently in the area of Arsio e Brez in Val di Non. Bertoluzza says its linguistic origins are derived from the male person name 'Domenico'. In my own research, the earliest examples of Menghini I have found are Leonardo Menghini of Brez, born around 1535, and Bartolomeo Menghini of Salobbi (part of the same parish) born around 1555.
MerliMerloThe word 'Merlo' means 'blackbird' in Italian ('Merli' is plural). As a surname it has the semantic meaning of someone who is clever or sly, as was most likely derived from a soprannome used to describe someone considered to be very crafty or ingenious. It can be found as far back as the 1200s, and is found in Val Giudicarie, Val di Ledro, Cavedine and Vezzano. Personally, I am quite sure the name 'Merlin' from traditional British legends is cognate with the same root and originally had the same meaning.
MicheliOne of many patronymic surnames derived from the male personal name 'Michele' (equivalent to Michael).

Although the specific variant 'Micheli' appears in many parts of the province, it is found most prominently in Val di Non. In my own research I have found it prominently in the village of Seio, historically part of the parish of Sarnonico. There, the earliest record with this surname I have found is a baptismal record for an Anna Micheli (spelled in its Latin form, 'Michaelis'), dated 12 January 1587. Her father, Giovanni, therefore, would have been born in Seio in the middle of that century.

Stenico lists many priests with this surname, the earliest being a Giovanni Micheli of Avio, whose name appears in records in 1497. He also lists two Micheli notaries, one from Romeno and one from Fondo, who were born active in the latter decades of the 1600s.
MicheliniOne of many patronymic surnames derived from the male personal name 'Michele'. More info to follow.
MinatiSurname found most frequently in Grigno in Valsugana. More info to follow.
MoarMaier; MajerBertoluzzi says 'Moar' is a Latinised variant of the Germanic surname 'Maier' or 'Majer', which means 'majestic'. In my own research, I have found the surname in the parish of Revo' in the early 1700s.
MochenMochem; MocheniWith its origins in Dimaro and Male', Bertoluzza says this surname was first used as a word to describe the Germanic people who settled in Valle dei Mocheni. He suggests the original place name was derived from the German word machen, which means 'to make'.
MolariMollariSurname attributed to someone who came from or near the locality of Mollaro in Val di Non. Lorenzi says it may originally have come from the root 'mole', meaning a wheel for sharpening knives (the word for knifegrinder is 'moleta').
MorelliMoreliOne of many surnames derived from the root 'mor-', meaning brown or chestnut-coloured (much like 'marrone' in modern Italian). It is cognate with the word 'More', which refers to people from the Iberian Peninsula of Muslim descent, who were typically thought to be darker skinned. Bertoluzza says that surnames based on this root most likely evolved from a soprannome originally given to someone who had a tanned or bronze complexion, rather than referring to someone of Iberian or Muslim descent. Most surnames with this root are found in the southern parts of Trentino, such as Valsugana, Val Giudicarie, Val di Cembra and around Arco and Riva del Garda. Historian P. Remo Stenico lists several Morelli priests over the centuries who came from Comano, Seo, Padergnone and Canezza. In my own research, I have found the variant 'Morelli' frequently in the village of Seo in the parish of Tavodo, with a Stefano Morelli of Seo, born around 1695, being one of the earliest I've discovered so far. Looking further back in time, Bertoluzza cites a Giovanni Morelli who died by 1465 in nearby Comano in Val Giudicarie, and another Morelli (no first name) in who died by 1385 in Segonzano in Val di Cembra. Stenico goes even further back in time, mentioning a notary named Mula Morelli (son of Enrico) of Vezzano, whose signature appears in a record dated 1232.
MorenbergInfo to follow
MoscaIn Italian, the word 'mosca' means 'a fly' (as in the insect). The surname is most likely derived from a soprannome originally given to a person who was small in stature.
NardelliNardeliOne of many patronymic surnames derived either from the male personal name 'Bernardo' (meaning) 'courageous bear') or 'Leonardo' (meaning 'courageous lion').
NardinNardiniOne of many patronymic surnames derived either from the male personal name 'Bernardo' (meaning) 'courageous bear') or 'Leonardo' (meaning 'courageous lion'). Variants appear in many parts of the province, although 'Nardin' specifically appears mainly in Val di Cembra, especially in the parishes of Cembra, Faver and Segonzano.
NavariniNavarriniBertoluzza suggests this surname may have possibly been derived from Spanish surnames 'Navarro' and 'Navarra', from the Spanish region of Navarra. Navarra, he says, means 'a flat plain dominated by (or surrounded by) mountains'. In Trentino, the surname has its origins in Val D'Adige, and it appears as early as the 1500s in Ravina in the city of Trento. I have also found it in very old records in the parish of Piedicastello, also in the city of Trento.
NegherbonThe surname Negherbon has its origins in Val di Non and Val D'Adige. The word 'negher' is a Nones (dialect) word equivalent to the Italian word 'negro' for black/dark. 'Bon' is short for 'bono' which is the Latin word for good (it appears in many Trentino surnames). 'Negher+bon' translates into Italian as 'negro buono' in Italian, and has the meaning of someone with very dark (nearly black) hair or a dark complexion that is very pleasing. The surname goes back to the 1200s in Trentino.
Negride NegriInfo to follow
NeslerI have found this surname in both Fondo and Malosco in Val di Non throughout the 1600-1700s. More info to follow.
NicolauOne of dozens of patronymic surnames derived from the male personal name Nicolo' or Nicola, meaning 'victorious or excelling among people'. The particular variant 'Nicolau' appears predominently in Imer in Primiero. I have not yet researched this surname in depth, but I have so far found it in records for Imer back to the early 1700s. More info to follow.
NicolettiOne of dozens of patronymic surnames derived from the male personal name Nicolo' or Nicola, meaning 'victorious or excelling among people'. The particular variant 'Nicoletti' appears prominently in Vervo' in Val di Non at least as far back as the mid-1500s. More info to follow.
NicoliniNicolodi; Nicolo'One of dozens of patronymic surnames derived from the male personal name Nicolo' or Nicola, meaning 'victorious or excelling among people'.
Nicolo'NicolaOne of dozens of patronymic surnames derived from the male personal name Nicolo' or Nicola, meaning 'victorious or excelling among people'. Bertoluzza suggests the variants 'Nicola' or 'Cola' could indicate descendants of a female named Nicoletta.
NulliNolliLiterally 'nothing' or 'void'. More info to follow.
OdorizziIn my own research, I have found this surname prominently in Tuenno in Val di Non. More info to follow.
OliverioOliveri; OlivieriPatriarchal name derived from the Latin 'Oliverius' referring to someone who owns olive groves. In some cases, it may also be a matriarchal name from the female name 'Oliva'. Bertoluzza points out that there was a famous 'Oliverius' during the era of Carlo Magno (Charlemagne). He says the name is sometimes used in its abbreviated form 'Viero' and reminds us that 'viero' was also a dialect word for a typo of pure-bred pig. While he says the name originates in Val d'Adige and Val di Non, the earliest instance he cites of the root form of this surname is a Pietro Oliveti of Cavaione (Bleggio, Val Giudicarie), who died sometime before 1331. In more recent centuries, the variant 'Oliveri' is found mainly in Roncone, Molina di Ledro and Tenno, and 'Olivieri' (with the additional 'i') is seen more frequently in Rovereto and Trento, as well as in Tenno.
OlivettiOlivetiPatriarchal name derived from the Latin 'Oliverius' referring to someone who owns olive groves. In some cases, it may also be a matriarchal name from the female name 'Oliva'. Bertoluzza points out that there was a famous 'Oliverius' during the era of Carlo Magno (Charlemagne). He says the name is sometimes used in its abbreviated form 'Viero' and reminds us that 'viero' was also a dialect word for a typo of pure-bred pig. While he says the name originates in Val d'Adige and Val di Non, the earliest instance he cites of the root form of this surname is a Pietro Oliveti of Cavaione (Bleggio, Val Giudicarie), who died sometime before 1331.
OnestinghelSurname of Germanic origin, found almost exclusively in Spormaggiore in Val di Non. More info to follow.
OnoratiHonoraty; Honorato; HonoratiMeaning 'the honoured', Onorati is the surname of a very old ennobled family of Bono, in Bleggio, Val Giudicarie. One ennobled branch is descended from Domenico Onorati (son of Matteo, born 19 Jan 1577), who was ennobled by the Archduchess Claudia di Medici on 18 April 1643. Many were notaries and court officials, possibly going back to the 1200s.
Oriolide HoriolisNow extinct, the Orioli of Dasindo were one of the many ancient Giudicarie families who were granted the title of 'rural nobility' by the Prince-Bishop sometime before the year 1500.

Regarding the origin of the name, I've read no theories so far. However, Stenico cites an early notary named Orio of Lomaso, son of Enrico, who was active between the years 1308-1343, and who drafted the Carta di Regola for Campo Lomaso in 1327 and 1330. I suspect Orio might well be the founding father of this line. My hunch is based on two clues. First, we have later records of Orioli notaries, a profession that tends to run through the family. Second, we see the name 'Oriolo Orioli' from Dasindo appearing in legal documents in Vigo Lomaso in the late 1500s and early 1600s. Interestingly, in 1433, there was a notary named Giacomo Orioli, who was from Bondo in the parish of Tione (but who lived in Riva) who signed his surname 'Borioli'.

I discovered an interesting piece of historical trivia when researching this family. From 1478-1516, one Giovanni de Horiolis was the Pievano (pastor) of the parish of Vigo Lomaso. During his time as pievano, he organised the construction of the parish rectory (Canonica) -- still standing today -- which rapidly became a local centre of culture and poetry, both within his own lifetime and afterwards. After more than 20 years of service, whether to retire or for other personal reasons, don Giovanni resigned from his position as pievano.

But here's the odd bit. He announced that his successor would be his nephew Brunorio - who was just 16 years old. What's even more amazing is that Prince-Bishop Bernardo Cles agreed to this. And so, for about two years, teenage Brunorio was the pastor of the parish.

The author (Onorati) who tells this story comments that we shouldn't be too amazed at this because, during this era, the Pope in Rome was creating Cardinals who were only 9 years old, usually for a 'fee'. If you've watched the show 'Medici' you might remember that Lorenzo de Medici's son and nephew were both made cardinals when they were still boys.

Onorati continues the story to tell us that in the year 1517, the former Archpriest Giovanni and his brother, the notary Domenico (who was Brunorio's father) were assassinated. He says we don't know the reason for this tragedy, but following this incident, Brunorio (now only about 18) was dismissed from his role as pievano.

Onorati suggests the Orioli of Dasindo were wiped out during the plague of 1630, as the trail on them goes cold around that time. Surely, I have not found any documents for them after 1626. However, Stenico mentions a priest named Giovanni Orioli (although he does not say where he came from) who died in 1772 at the age of 60, meaning he was born a good 80 years after the plague. There are no Orioli at all on Nati in Trentino, with the exception of a Francesco Oriolli (with a double-L) from the comune of Isera, who was born in 1816.

After that, the surname does seem to disappear.
OrlandiOrlando; OrlandoniPatronymic derived from the male personal name 'Orlando', meaning 'to the glory of the country'. It is found mainly in Val Giudicarie, especially around Fiave', Vigo Lomaso and Dorsino. I have seen the Dorsino Orlandi mentioned in the records for the parish of Tavodo back to at least the 1600s.
OrlerA surname or Germanic origin found most frequently in Mezzano in Primiero. More info to follow
OsannaIn my own research, I have found this surname as far back as the mid 1600s in Sfruz in Val di Non. More info to follow.
OttoliniThis name appears in the frazione of Cavrasto in Bleggio around the year 1600.
PainelliPainelloPatronymic derived from the obscure medieval male personal name 'Paino'. The Painelli were a very old family in the parish of Santa Croce del Bleggio, Val Giudicarie. The earliest Painelli I have identified so far is a Domenico Painelli of Bono in that parish, most likely born around 1430, whose son Martino was present at the drafting of the Carta di Regola for Bono on 26 May 1502. P. Remo Stenico cites a Giovanni Painelli of Bono, who was a notary whose name appears in records as early as 1559.

After the mid-1500s, the family no longer appear in Bono, but in Duvredo on the other side of the parish. The Duvredo family may have had some connection with the medieval Castel Restor (possibly as civil servants), which stood at the end of that village. Once owned by the Counts of Arco, the ruins of Restor still overlook the valley, and can be visited by the public.

One local legend relates a story of a Painelli beheading one of the Counts of Arco, as a protest against the practice of 'primae noctis', which gave the Counts the right to bed new brides from the village for three nights. The story says a young man named 'Painelli' (no first name is ever given) crouched down by the side of the road leading up the hill to the castle, waiting for the Count to ride past on his horse. Then, in a flash, Painelli leapt out and, with a single blow, took off the head of the Count with a farmer's sickle. The act was done so quickly that even the Count's horse hadn't noticed, and he continued up the hill towards the castle, with his headless passenger still perched upon his back. It was only when the horse reached the castle gate that the alarm was sounded. But by then the Painelli had already fled (presumably with his new bride) and was never captured or held to account for his murderous act. These days, on warm summer evenings, the local people of the parish will occasionally perform an historical re-enactment of this legend in the ghostly shadows of the castle ruins.

The surname in Duvredo recently became extinct when the last in that line, Maria Angela Painelli ('Angelina'), born 13 Sep 1903, died at the age of 100 in 2004. The surname still survives amongst descendants of American immigrants.
PalanchBertoluzza says this surname comes from the dialect word 'Palanc' for a large shovel (related to the Italian word pala). He says it originates in Val d'Adige, appearing in the city of Trento as far back as the late 1200s.
PalettiBertoluzza says Paletti is a variant of the surname 'Palanch', which comes from the dialect word 'Palanc' for a large shovel (related to the Italian word pala). Although he says 'Palanch' originates in Val d'Adige (appearing in the city of Trento as far back as the late 1200s), I have found 'Paletti' exclusively in Preore in Val Giudicarie, at least as far back as the early 1700s.
PancheriPancherA patronymic derived from a patriarch named Panchero in the 1300s, this surname originated in Val di Sole, but later became widely dispersed in Val di Non. Bertoluzza says the man's name (also spelled 'Pancherio' and 'Pancario') means 'completely graceful/charming'. Found especially in Romallo (in the parish of Revo'), Samoclevo, Cis, Cles, Bresimo and Livo. The Pancheri surname appears in notary records in and around Samoclevo from 1412, and various Pancheri are named in parchments from Altaguardia from 1538 through the late 1600s. Pancheri also appear in the Carte di Regola for the villages of Romallo (1598) and Samoclevo (1618). Some branches were ennobled (there is, for example, a noble Antonio Pancheri living in Romallo in the early 1600s), but historian Gianmaria Tabarelli de Fatis says the precise date on which they received noble status is unknown. There were also many Pancheri notaries over the centuries; the earliest Pancheri notary recorded by historian P. Remo Stenico is Bartolomeo (son of Pietro and grandson of Martino/Marino Pancheri), originally from Samoclevo but later living in Romallo, whose signature appears in records as early as 1534. However, some evidence infers there may have been Pancheri notaries before this date. Family historian Gene Pancheri has been conducting an extensive genealogical and Y-DNA study of this family for many years and has co-authored a book with Andrea Pojer entitled 'Pancheri: Our Story'. Gene and I are also currently collaborating on a large-scale Pancheri research project.
PantezzaInfo to follow
PaoliPoli; Pouli; PolliOne of dozens of patronymic surnames derived from the male personal name 'Paolo'. As such, it appears widely dispersed throughout the province, including Val Rendena, Val Giudicarie, Val di Non, Valsugana and Val D'Adige.
ParisiParis; Parise; Parisini; ParisioA very old, patronymic surname derived from the male personal name 'Paride', derived from the Greek name 'Paris', as in the protagonist from Homer's Iliad (the story of the Trojan War). Bertoluzza says 'Paris' means 'a fighter' or 'combative', and that it is used in novels about knights, and amongst nobility.

Before it became a formal surname, the personal name was often used on its own, as it in case of the notaries 'Parisio of Biè (i.e. Bivedo in Bleggio, ca. 1252) and 'Paride of Arco' (ca. 1336).

As with most patronymics, the surname 'Parisi' can be found in many parts of the province, as well as in many other regions of the Italian peninsula. In fact, it is most heavily concentrated in the south, especially in Sicily, Campania and Puglia.

In Trentino, Parisi is found mostly around the cities of Trento and Rovereto, and the areas north of Riva del Garda, such as Arco, Tenno and many parishes in Val Giudicarie (Bleggio, Tavodo, Stenico, Ragoli, etc.). Stenico also mentions two Parisi notaries from the late 1500s to early 1600s who came from Borgo Valsugana.

Stenico cites many other Parisi notaries, the earliest being 'Giovanni, son of Francesco, son of the late Pellegrino', who was living in Stenico in 1522. Similarly, he lists many Parisi priests, the earliest being a 'Paride Parisi', also from Stenico, who was active between 1558-1591.

In my own research, the earliest Parisi I have found is Pietro Parisi of the frazione of Bono in the parish of Bleggio, most likely born around 1435, who is cited as the late father of three brothers (Giovanni, Donato and Paolo) at the drafting of the Carta di Regola (Charter of Laws) for that village on 26 May 1502. Bono appears to be the village of origin for the Parisi in that parish, with another branch settling in nearby Duvredo at a later date.

In the sciences, Bertoluzza mentions Bruno Parisi of Taio (1884-1957), a laureate in natural science, and director of zoology at the Museum of Natural Science in Milan. In the arts, he mentions Giuseppe Parisi (1886-1974) of Trento, an artist of stained glass.
ParolariParolaro; Parolin; Parolini; ParoloParolari' was the old dialect word for craftsmen who made 'paioli', or copper cooking vessels, typically associated with making polenta. Additionally, the word 'paroloti' referred to coppersmiths and those who repaired paioli. Bertoluzza says the surname arose in both Val di Non and Val Giudicarie. He says the Latinised version of the surname appears in the city of Trento as early as 1441 ('Antonius Parolarius') and cites evidence of an Ambrogio Parolari(s) of Tione in 1537. In addition to these places, I have found the name in Premione back to the late 1600s, and in Seo back to the early 1700s (both in the parish of Tavodo). A colleague has also reported seeing the surname in Pomarolo (Vallagarina) in the 1500s.
PasiPasiniInfo to follow
PasquaPascha; Pasquali; Pasqualini; Pasqui; PasquiniPasqua' is the word for Easter and is also a female personal name. The surname might have been derived from a matriarch of that name, or as a patronymic derived from the (less common) male equivalent name 'Pasquale'. Bertoluzza says its use as a surname originated in Val Giudicarie and Valsugana.
PataunerPatoner; Pataoner; PatonAccording to Bertoluzza, Patauner is a toponymic surname derived from the name of the frazione of Patone in the comune of Isera, west of Rovereto. Thus, the surname means 'someone who comes from Patone'. While he says the surname originated in Terragnolo, the earliest examples he gives are from Trambileno in the early 1600s.
PaurlePaor; Pourle; Bauer; BauerleinLorenzi says the shorter variant 'Paor' was taken from German word 'Bauer', which means 'farmer'; he suggests 'Paurle' was derived from the German surname 'Bauerlein', which has essentially the same meaning. Bertoluzza says the surname Paurle is originated in Trambileno, near Rovereto, and appears in a variety of spellings (including 'Bauer') in parish records. In my own research the earliest instance of the name I have found so far is a Cristiano Paurle of Trambileno, who was most likely born around 1580.
PedergnanaOne of numerous patronymic surnames derived from the root 'Ped', referring to the male personal name 'Peter' (Pietro, in Italy). (More info to follow).
PedranzIn my research, I have found this surname in the parish of Sarnonico, especially around Ronzone, as far back as the early 1600s. More info to follow.
PedriOne of numerous patronymic surnames derived from the root 'Ped', referring to the male personal name 'Peter' (Pietro, in Italy). I haven't yet researched this surname extensively, but I have thus far found it in Revo' (Val di Non) in the early 1700s.
PedrottiOne of numerous patronymic surnames derived from the root 'Ped', referring to the male personal name 'Peter' (Pietro, in Italy). (More info to follow).
PellegrinatiPelegrinatiOne of various patronymic surnames derived from the male personal name 'Pellegrino', meaning a (religious) pilgrim. There was a very old line of Pellegrinati in Bleggio, Val Giudicarie (mostly in Duvredo and Bivedo) dating back to at least the 1400s, but it has now gone extinct.
PellegriniOne of various patronymic surnames derived from the male personal name 'Pellegrino', meaning a (religious) pilgrim. In my own research, I have found the specific form 'Pellegrini' most prominently in the village of Cavareno (historically part of the parish of Sarnonico), where the earliest surviving baptismal record is for a Maria Pellegrini born 29 November 1587. Thus, her father Guglielmo Pellegrini would have been born in Cavareno sometime in the mid-1500s.
PellegrinoPelegrinoOne of various patronymic surnames derived from the male personal name 'Pellegrino', meaning a (religious) pilgrim.
PenerPennerGermanic surname found mostly in the southern/southeastern part of the province. More info to follow.
PennaInfo to follow
PerantoniA patronymic derived from the male personal name 'Perantonio', a commonly used short form of the compound name 'Pietro Antonio' ('Per' = Pietro). Thus, the surname means 'the descendants of Pietro Antonio'. This is one of hundreds of names built on the root 'Ped'/'Per', one of the most common roots of Trentino surnames.
PerniciInfo to follow
PetriPedriOne of numerous patronymic surnames derived from the root 'Ped', referring to the male personal name 'Peter' (Pietro, in Italy). (More info to follow).
PiantoniSurname found prominently in Pre' di Ledro in Valle di Ledro, north of Lago del Garda. More info to follow.
PiazziDal Piaz; Dalpiaz; de Plaza; de Plazo; PiazDerived from the Italian word 'piazzo', meaning a plain or a clearing, or a plaza or square in a village. The prefix 'dal' means 'of the' or 'from the'. In all cases, the surname refers to someone who originally came from or near a plaza or some such place. The surname is found in Van di Non and Valli di Fiemme, with early forms of it (e.g. 'de Plaza', 'de Plazo', etc.) appearing as long ago as the 1200s.
PichlerLorenzi says this Germanic surname (and all its variants) is derived from the German word 'Eck', which evolved into 'Echen' and 'Echel'. He says it is equivalent to the Italian surname 'Dal Doss', but I have not yet found the etymological link for this. He says the name originated in Lauregno, Proves, Senale, and San Felice.
PiecheleInfo to follow
PiechenstainPiechensteinLorenzi says this Germanic surname (and all its variants) is derived from the German word 'Eck', which evolved into 'Echen' and 'Echel'. He says it is equivalent to the Italian surname 'Dal Doss', but I have not yet found the etymological link for this. He says the name originated in Lauregno, Proves, Senale, and San Felice. This variant of the name is found mostly in Val di Non, especially in Fondo and Malosco.
PinamontiFound in Rallo. More info to follow.
PizziniPiccinini, Piccini, Piccirillo, Pisin, Piz, Pizzo, PizzutiAccording to historian Aldo Bertoluzza, the surname Pizzini is derived from 'Piccinini', which is a soprannome given to someone of small physical stature or slender build. He goes on to cite linguistic historian Lorenzi, who believes this surname originates in Val Badia in the present-day province of Bolzano (also called South Tyrol). Lorenzi believes it is derived from the Ladin dialect word 'pisching', which is pronounced 'pisin', and means the same as the Italian word 'piccino' (meaning 'little'). Over time, the soft 'c' or 's' evolved into a more Italian sounding 'z'. Another theory is that it may be related to the surname 'Piz' (originating in Val di Non, with variants like Pizzi, Pizzo and Pizzuti), which comes from the male personal name Pizio or Pizo, which is a dialect word for lace or for a kind of fruit with a nut-like shell. Bertoluzza cites early versions of the surname (Picinus, Pizenino, Pizenini) appearing in records in the 1300s. Researcher and author Katia Pizzini is currently head archivist at diocesan archives of Trento. The surname Pizzini is common to two noble families: The Pizzini of Rovereto, and the Pizzini of Ala. Originally from the province of Brescia in present-day Lombardia, the Rovereto Pizzini were awarded the title of noble dignitaries in 1652 by Emperor Ferdinand III, with the predicate of 'Thürberg'. Later, in 1754, they also received the title of Barons. The stemma (coat-of-arms) of the noble Pizzini of Rovereto is an eagle clenching a carnation in each of his claws and wearing a gold crown on his head. The second Pizzini line is descended from Odorico of Castel Pizzino in Bergamasco in present-day Piemonte, who took refuge in Vallagarina in Trentino sometime before 1540 and settled in Ala around 1600. Two brothers, Francesco and Nicolo' Pizzini, received their noble title in 1714, with the predicate 'Hohenbrunn', from Emperor Carlo VI. Their stemma contains four six-pointed gold stars, three of them above, and a larger one in the middle.
PlagaPlagha; Garot; Garott; Garotti; Gheroti Bertoluzza says that this surname is derived from the dialect word 'plaga' (equivalent to 'piaga' in Italian), which literally translates into 'plague' in English, but in the sense of being plagued by some sort of misfortune. It does not refer to the disease we call 'plague' in English, as the Italian term for the plague is 'la peste'. Thus, he says, a person who had been suffering from poor health or some other kind of tribulation might have been called a 'piaga'. Alternatively, he suggests it could also refer to someone who has caused hardship to others.

The surname has its origins in the parish of Sanzeno (Val di Non), mostly in the villages of Salter, Casez, and Plano, where they lived at least as long ago as the mid-1400S. The earliest reference to a Plaga I have found is for an 'Enrico, called Plaga, of Plano in the parish of Sanzeno' in a legal document recorded in Pez in 1469. Bertoluzza says there was a man named Antonio Plaga of Sanzeno, whose name appears in a document dated 1457, but he gives no source for this citation.

In a document drafted in Sanzeno in December 1540, we learn that Archdeacon Martino da Neydeck has granted a perpetual lease for some arable land in Sanzeno to a Bernardo Plaga of Plano (son of the late Bonino) and his nephew Nicolo'. A generation later, we find Count Sigismondo Thun renewing rights to part of the decima (tithes) for the villages of Sanzeno, Casez, Banco, Plano, etc., to this same Nicolo' (identified as the son of the late 'Maiolus Plaga'), and his cousin Bonino (son of the aforementioned Bernardo, who is now deceased).

One of the early Plaga lines of Salter is frequently recorded under the soprannome 'Garot' (or a variant of the same), rather than their surname. This appears to have been derived from the personal name of a patriarch named was 'Garot' (also written 'Gherot'), as we see this name recurring in the late 1500s through early 1600s.

Many Plaga men in the early Sanzeno parish records are said to have been blacksmiths.

The surname continues to appear in and near Sanzeno today.
PolettiInfo to follow
PoliPolli; Paoli; PouliOne of dozens of patronymic surnames derived from the male personal name 'Paolo'. As such, it appears widely dispersed throughout the province, including Val Rendena, Val Giudicarie, Val di Non, Valsugana and Val D'Adige.
PorriInfo to follow
PouliPaoli; Poli; PolliOne of dozens of patronymic surnames derived from the male personal name 'Paolo'. As such, it appears widely dispersed throughout the province, including Val Rendena, Val Giudicarie, Val di Non, Valsugana and Val D'Adige.
PratiPratis; de Pratis; de Prà; Da Prà; Daprai; Prati von PreenfeldThe word prato, (also prai, pra' or pradaria in Trentino dialect) refers to a grassy meadow, pasture or grazing area. As pastureland has always been part of the landscape of Trentino society, there are many villages in the province called Prato, Prado, Pra', etc.

Similarly, there are numerous surnames originating in various parts of the Trentino that have been derived from the word prato. Any such surname would originally have been a soprannome for someone who either came from a village of that name, or whose home was near pasture.

The specific variant 'Prati' was used by a very old noble family originally from Dasindo in Val Giudicarie, which was part of Vigo Lomaso parish for many centuries. Several historians say the Prati were first granted the title of nobility in 1390 by Prince Bishop of Trento, Giorgio di Lichtenstein, for their help during the battle against the Counts of Lodron at Castello Romano. However, historians also point out that that the family did not use the surname 'Prati' until the mid-1500s, but rather 'Filippi', as they were originally part of the Filippi family of Dasindo.

Historian Tabarelli de Fatis says the shift from Filippi to Prati became permanent around 1569, starting with a Delaito (Delai) Filippi, son of Giovanni. While the photographed portion of the registers for Vigo Lomaso don't start until well after that date, a transcription of the Vigo Lomaso registers (back to the year 1543) was made sometime in the 1700s, to try to recover information after the records had been seriously damaged in fire. I am trying to track down where those might be held, as I believe they most likely contain this information about the Prati family.

The Prati of Dasindo produced numerous magistrates and notaries and received many titles of nobility. A Filippo Prati of Dasindo, notary, received the title of nobility of the Holy Roman Empire by Emperor Ferdinando II on 8 Sept 1636. Filippo's son, Giovanni Domenico, was also a notary between the years 1670-1705.

On 6 November 1723, Prince Bishop of Trento Giovanni Michele Spaur awarded the title of nobility to Bernardo Prati of Dasindo and his sons, Giovanni (most likely a notary), Innocenzo Bernardino (a priest), Antonio (notary and criminal chancellor of Stenico), as well as to Bernardo's brother, Giovanni.

In the first decades of the 1600s, four new branches, stemming from the Dasindo family, formed in Chiarano in Arco, Tenno and Cles.

The Tenno branch (who used the predicate 'von Preenfeld') were descended from Giovanni Domenico Prati, who lived in Tenno by the first half of the 1600s. From this line we see many notaries, as well as judges and lieutenants of Castle Tenno. The earliest of the Tenno notaries listed by P. Remo Stenico was Filippo Luigi Prati, son of the above-mentioned Giovanni Domenico, who appears as a notary in documents between 1689-1730. The notary Antonio Luigi Prati obtained the title of nobility from Prince Bishop Pietro Vigilio Thun on 8 May 1789. This branch went extinct in 1920.

In more recent time, the most illustrious of this family is the prolific poet and statesman, Giovanni Prati who was born in Dasindo in 1814 and died in Rome in 1884. In the 1800s, A branch of the family, headed by Gaetano Prati (uncle of the poet) also took root outside Trentino, in Trieste.
PreghenellaVery old surname from Preghena in Val di Non. A toponymic surname indicating the family were from Preghena. More info to follow.
PretiPrettiDerived from the word 'prete', meaning 'priest'. The surname is especially prominent in the village of Cagno' in Val di Non. Thus far in my research, this surname do NOT appear to be connected (or at least not recently) with the noble 'Pretis' or 'de Pretis' lines of the same village.
Pretisde PretisDerived from the word 'prete', meaning 'priest'. In 1540, Prince Bishop of Trento Cristoforo Madruzzi granted nobility to the 'de Pretis' family of Cagno' in Val di Non. More info to follow.
Profaiserinfo to follow
PuecherGermanic surname originating in Lauregno in the province of Bolzano. Although not a Trentino name, I have found a Maria Puecher, daughter of Nicolo', who married a Simone Corra' of Tregiovo in the late 1600s.
Pugnettiinfo to follow
Quartainfo to follow
Ragnottiinfo to follow
RamponiRampon; Ramponi Von Magras und Rosenhof; Ramponi di RosenhoffSee detailed article The RAMPONI of Val di Sole. Dimaro, Carciato, Magras.
RardiRardaUnusal surname I have found in both Castelfondo and in Salobbi (Arsio e Brez) in the late 1500s to mid 1600s. While it may be a patronymic related to the male personal name 'Girardo', one pergamena from Traversara, dated 20 May 1591, indicates 'Rardi' was also the name of a locality.
Rauzi Rauz; Rauti; Rauta; Rauzer; RaotaAncient surname from the parish of Cloz (Val di Non), where it has existed at least since the mid-1500s. CLICK HERE to read about the history of the RAUZI of Cloz
RecchiaRecchi; ReclaBertoluzza says this surname originated in Valsugana and Val di Non, appearing in records as far back as the 1300s. He says it was originally a soprannome, derived comes from the Italian word for 'ears' (orecchie), but a friend of mine has also told me that 'Recla' is also the Nones dialect word for ears. Thus, 'Recchia', 'Recla' and all other variants would have referred to someone who had very prominent ears.
ReclaRecchia; RecchiBertoluzza says this surname originated in Valsugana and Val di Non, appearing in records as far back as the 1300s. He says it was originally a soprannome, derived comes from the Italian word for 'ears' (orecchie), but a friend of mine has also told me that 'Recla' is also the Nones dialect word for ears. Thus, 'Recchia', 'Recla' and all other variants would have referred to someone who had very prominent ears. The variant 'Recla' appears in many places in Trentino, mostly in the north, including the parishes of Smarano and Ronzone. In my own research so far, I have found the surname 'Recla' in Ronzone back to the mid-1600s.
ReversiRiversiCommonly found in Val Giudicarie, particulaly in the parish of Santa Croce del Bleggio. More info to follow.
RiccadonnaRiccadona; Ricadona; RichadonnaMeaning 'rich lady', this is a common surname in the parish of Santa Croce del Bleggio in Val Giudicarie, especially in the frazione of Rango, where is is found as far back as the 1500s. It also appears in Val di Fiemme from the 1600s. Lorenzo believes it may be derived from the surname 'Cadonna' or 'Cadona'. Bertoluzza points out that there are early variants of the surname in records of noble families in Bologna before the year 1200.
RiedelAccording to Bertoluzza, Riedel is toponomastic surname of German origin. 'Das Ried' in German can refer to a swampy or marshy area. Thus, 'Riedel' most likely means the family once lived near a marshland. Bertoluzza says the surname first arose in Trentino in Riva del Garda, but it also has a long history in the parish of Santa Croce del Bleggio in Val Giudicarie. The earliest Riedel I have found so far in my own research is a Pietro Riedel of Larido in Bleggio, who was probably born near the end of the 1600s.
RigattiRigatOne of dozens of patronymic surnames derived from the male nickname 'Rigo', a diminutive form of name 'Odorico' or 'Uldarico', which itself is a derivation of the old German name 'Od-Rik'. Bertoluzza says it might also be derived from the name 'Arrigo', which has the meaning 'extremely wealthy'. In my own research, the specific variant 'Rigatti' (sometimes contracted to 'Rigat') can be found most prominently in the parish of Revo' in Val di Non.
RighiOne of dozens of patronymic surnames derived from the male nickname 'Rigo', a diminutive form of name 'Odorico' or 'Uldarico', which itself is a derivation of the old German name 'Od-Rik'. Bertoluzza says it might also be derived from the name 'Arrigo', which has the meaning 'extremely wealthy'. (More information to follow).
RigoOne of dozens of patronymic surnames derived from the male nickname 'Rigo', a diminutive form of name 'Odorico' or 'Uldarico', which itself is a derivation of the old German name 'Od-Rik'. Bertoluzza says it might also be derived from the name 'Arrigo', which has the meaning 'extremely wealthy'. As a stand-alone surname, 'Rigo' appears most frequently in Valsugana. In my own research, I have found it in the parish or Trambileno (particularly in the village of Pozzacchio) near Rovereto as far back as the early 1600s. P. Remo Stenico lists several priests with this surname, from various parts of Valsugana (Torcegno, Spera and Borgo). This is NOT the same surname as 'Rigos' found in Malosco in the parish of Sarnonico in Val di Non (see detailed article about that surname).
RigosSee article 'The Rigos of Malosco at https://trentinogenealogy.com/2022/05/rigos-malosco-origins-nobility/. Also available as a downloadable PDF from the Trentino Genealogy Digital Shop.
RigottiRigattiOne of dozens of patronymic surnames derived from the male nickname 'Rigo', a diminutive form of name 'Odorico' or 'Uldarico', which itself is a derivation of the old German name 'Od-Rik'. Bertoluzza says it might also be derived from the name 'Arrigo', which has the meaning 'extremely wealthy'. Rigotti appears widely dispersed throughout the province, including Val di Non, Valle di Laghi, Valsugana and Val Giudicarie. In my own research, I have found the surname in records from Santa Croce, San Lorenzo in Banale and Tavodo parishes (Val Giudicarie) back to the 1600s, but at least one branch appears to have originated in Valsugana, with an Andrea (son of Tommaso) of Pergine, who had relocated to Stenico, and then married a woman from Cillà in Santa Croce in 1672.
RizziRizinfo to follow
RoccaRocche; Roche; RocchiOne of many surnames derived from the male personal name 'Rocco'. (more info to follow).
RomagnaInfo to follow
RopeleRopel; RopelleFound most commonly in Mezzano (Primiero) and in Valsugana. More info to follow.
RossattiRosatti, RossatiDerived from the Italian the word 'rosso' meaning 'red', the original name could have referred to someone who had red hair or a reddish complexion.
RossiRubeis (Latin)Derived from the Italian the word 'rosso' meaning 'red', the original name could have referred to someone who had red hair or a reddish complexion. In early records you will often see the Latin form of the surname, i.e. 'Rubeis', which comes from the word 'Rubens', and has the same meaning. 'Rubeis' appears in records as early as 1,086, with Ubaldo Rubeis of Lodrone. The surname Rossi is found in many places throughout the region and in other parts of Italy.
Rossi
RuajaRuajeThis surname does not appear in any of my reference books, but I have found it many times in the parish records for Dimaro in Val di Non. The family to which it refers are said to come from the locality of Ruaie in Val di Rabbi toward the end of the 1600s. Thus, the surname in Dimaro records is most likely a designation of the family's place of origin. 'Ruaja' or 'Ruaje' also appears as a soprannome in later centuries. As a surname, it is now extinct, but it is possible it evolved into the surname 'RUATI' in the same parish.
RuattiRuatiOriginating in Val di Rabbi, this surname also shows up in Val di Sole (notably in Dimaro).
RubeisRossiOne of several surnames derived from the Latin word 'Rubens', to indicate the colour red. It could have referred to someone who had red hair or a reddish complexion. 'Rubeis' appears in records as early as 1,086, with Ubaldo Rubeis of Lodrone. The surname 'Rossi' is often written as 'Rubeis' in older records.
RubinelliOne of several surnames derived from the Latin word 'Rubens', to indicate the colour red. It could have referred to someone who had red hair or a reddish complexion. To date, I have found 'Rubinelli' exclusively in Breguzzo, going as far back as the mid-1500s.
RuggeraRugera; Ruggeri; RuggieroPatronymic from the male personal name Ruggero, which Bertoluzza says means 'glorious lance'. While he says the surname has its Trentino origins in Primiero, 'Ruggeri' appears in many other regions of the Italian peninsula, especially Lombardia. P. Remo Stenico lists a notary named Edoardo Ruggeri, son of Nicolo', who worked as a notary in Trentino in the 1550s, but he says he was originally from the village of Sant'Andrea in the province of Verona (and he does not say where he lived in Trentino).

The variant 'Ruggera' (often spelled 'Rugera') appears to be specific to the parish of Segonzano (Val di Cembra). Stenico mentions two 20th-century priests named Ruggera, both from Sabbion in Segonzano. In my own research, the earliest of the Segonzano Ruggera I have identified so far is a Salvatore Ruggera, born around 1680 in the frazione of Stedro.
Saggianteinfo to follow
SalazerSanto Lazzaro; Sallazzer; SalazzerThe surname Salazer is actually a contraction of the words 'Santo Lazzaro' or 'Lazar', i.e., Saint Lazarus, of the famous story from the New Testament. In that story, Lazarus had died, but Jesus, who was a friend of Lazarus and his sisters, performed a miracle by raising Lazarus from the dead.

Salazer is a toponymic surname, referring to the family who lived in the locality of 'Santo Lazzaro' in the parish of Revo' (Val di Non), which I am told is now where the Eremo di San Biagio (Hermitage of Saint Blaise) stands in a rugged terrain in the area or Romallo. The surname and the place name were more or less synonymous in the early records. The earliest surviving baptismal record for a Salazer is dated 13 December 1620, for an Antonio 'son of Pietro of Santo Lazero of Revo'. In the baptismal record for his younger brother Simone, born 27 September 1623, his father is called 'Pietro at Santo LaZar'. Within a few years, we see the surname appearing as 'Salazer' in most records.

Stenico (who spells this surname 'Sallazzer') mentions two Salazer priests from Revo', both named Pietro and both born in the mid-1800s. But perhaps the most renowned Salazer priest is father Natale Salazer, a musician and missionary who was born in Revo' on 3 December 1894, and died while working as a missionary in Kenya, Africa.
SalizzoniSalizoniSurname of a very old noble family from the frazione of Cares (pronounced 'CAH-ress'), in the parish of Santa Croce del Bleggio (Val Giudicarie). I have found them in records at least as far back as the early 1500s, and authors Tabarelli and Borelli say they were ennobled prior to the year 1500. Bertoluzza suggests the surname is derived from the name of a plant 'salcio' (I cannot find a translation for this).
SalvaterraAn ancient surname comprised of two words 'salva' (to save) and 'terra' (the earth/the land), it has the combined meaning of 'he who saves/protects the earth/land/world'. The surname shows up in many places throughout the province, with apparently no familial connection. I have found it to be especially prominent in two disparate parishes of the province: Revo' in Val di Non (particularly in Romallo, the records for which were kept in Revo' prior to the 20th century), and Tione in Val Giudicarie, both going back to before the beginning of the parish records. A Nicolo' Salvaterra of Tione (son of Gaspare, who was son of Antonio), was an imperial notary by 1544. P. Remo Stenico cites a 'Salvaterra' who was a notary for the Emperor Federico I (also known as Frederick Barbarossa) in 1182; Bertoluzza gives an earlier date of 1166 for this same man.
SandriSee Alessandri
Sansoniinfo to follow
Santoruminfo to follow
SartoriSurname derived from the occupation 'sartore', or tailor. (more info to follow)
ScalfiScalfana; ScalfFor many centuries, the surname Scalfi has appeared in various parts of Trentino. While Aldo Bertoluzza tentatively suggests the name might be derived from the Trentino dialect word scalfodro (which means a 'scoundrel'), historians Paolo Scalfi Baito, Silvia Marchiori Scalfi and Ennio Lappi provide much evidence that the surname means 'from Scalve', indicating the family originally came from Valle di Scalve in the province of Bergamo in Lombardia. Silvia Scalfi points out the word for the parish of Scalve is 'Scalf' in dialect.

The earliest reference to the surname in Trentino cited by Lappi in in a document dated 24 August 1452, which mentions a 'Martino, son of the late Pizzini de Scalvo' living in Celledizzo (in the parish of Ossana, Val di Sole), referring to him as a 'forestiero' (foreigner). Lappi says this same family moved to Pinzolo in Val Rendena in the early 1500s, citing a document dated 3 November 1511, mentioning a 'Stefano, son of the late Pezino de Scalfo, living in Pinzolo'. I have also found a parchment dated 1 June 1598 in the parish archives for Cles, referring to a 'Baldassare Scalf'.

Around the mid-1500s, we also start to see Scalfi appearing in Val Giudicarie. The first on the scene appears to have been a Giorgio, son of Antonio, who was most likely born around 1530, and moved from Lombardia to Bleggio (in the present-day parish of Santa Croce del Bleggio) sometime before 1560. Amongst the baptismal records for Santa Croce, we find two of his children born in Larido (Giustina in 1568, and Antonio Domenico in 1570), where Giorgio is referred to as 'Giorgio of Bagolino' or simply 'Giorgio Bagolino', inferring he was from the comune of Bagolino in Brescia. However, in the 1586 marriage record for his son Giovanni Battista (with Maria Giacomini of Balbido), Giorgio, now living in Cavrasto, is called 'Maestro Giorgio from Scalfo of Bergamo'. Lappi theorises that Giorgio was originally from Valle di Scalve, but that he may have spent some time in Bagolino (about 45 miles away from Valle di Scalve) before finally arriving in Bleggio. Thus, the surname 'Scalfi' is a direct reference to his place of origin.

While the descendants of Giorgio were still present in Cavrasto into the 1800s, one of his descendants (I believe it was the afore-mentioned Giovanni Battista Scalfi with his wife Maria Giacomini, but I'm still working to verify this) migrated to Preore in Giudicarie Interiore toward the end of the 1600s. Both Luigi Baito and Silvia Scalfi point out that this family were still referred to as 'forestieri' (foreigners) in Preore in the year 1700, only being recognised as residents around 1706.

Today, descendants of this line can be found in Preore, Ragoli, and Tione (all part of the deanery of Tione), which some branches shifting to nearby Saone in the 19th century, which is just across the River Sarca. One of the most renowned of the Scalfi of Saone was the late historian and author Silvia Scalfi (29 Dec 1926 - 19 Sept 1986, married name Marchiori), whose detailed local histories are essential reading for many researchers. In her book Saone e Le Giudicarie, she says there was only one Scalfi family living in Saone in its 1828 census.

As mentioned in various documents and discussed in detail by Lappi, Giorgio of Bergamo was Master blacksmith (fabro ferraio), an occupation that continued down through family for many generations, especially in Preore (although Silvia Scalfi says the Scalfi of Saone were predominantly masons (muratori). Over time, there were so many Scalfi blacksmiths in Preore, they eventually needed another forge to accommodate everyone. Thus, on 24 February 1678, another Giorgio Scalfi of Preore line (most likely the great-grandson of the original Giorgio) purchased another forge in the locality of Cugol, located under the bridge called 'Ponte del Pilastro' (a bridge with a large stone pillar, just west of Stenico) from Marino, son of the late Giovanni Paolo Girardi of Stenico.

Giorgio, then probably in his mid-50s, immediately gave ownership of the Cugol forge to his eldest son, Deodato (who was named after Giorgio's father). Deodato and his family moved to Stenico to work this new forge, which eventually came to be called 'La fucina degli Scalfi' (the forge of the Scalfis). Although Deodato ultimately returned to his native village of Preore where he passed away before 1720, at least two of his sons remained in Stenico, and all of the Stenico Scalfi are his descendants. The forge of Cugol continued to operate, until the final Scalfi blacksmith – a Guglielmo Scalfi – died in 1917. To read more about the Scalfi of Stenico, I refer you to Lappi's article ('Storia della famiglia Scalfi, ramo di Stenico'. Judicaria, December 2001, n. 48, p 42-47).

P. Remo Stenico lists several priests with the surname Scalfi in and near the Giudicarie (Rango, Tione and Storo) as well as three from Fondo in Val di Non in the 1700s. Similarly, he lists several notaries with the surname, all from these same places. I do not know if there is any connection between the Fondo Scalfi and those in the southern part of the province.

In my own research, I have also seen a Matteo 'Scalfana' or 'Scalfani' from the parish of Vigo Lomaso, who was most likely born around 1515, whose descendants lived in Madice in the parish of Bleggio for at least two generations after him, after which the name seems to disappear. Despite the similarly in name, I have not found any evidence that this family are connected to the Scalfi lines described above.
Scalviniinfo to follow
ScanaOn 14 December 1586, a man named Guglielmo Scana of Sarnonico was present at the signing of the 'Capitoli per il gaggio comune di Sarnonico e Ronzone', a charter of rules of how the natural resources of their communities were to be used. For his names to appear on this document, he would need to have been a legal adult (at least 25 years old), as well as a full 'citizen' of the comune, rather than a recently arriving resident, who had been born elsewhere.

This surname may be a toponymic surname derived from a village of the same name in Val di Sole, indicating family had migrated from there sometime in the past. Alternatively, it could be a short/early form of the surname 'Scanzoni' (see entry for that surname), which appears in the earliest surviving Sarnonico records from the same era. As I do not see 'Scana' in those same records, I am inclined to believe the latter is the case.
ScandolaA 'scandola' (plural: scandole) was a kind of flat shingle that was, in the past, used throughout the province of Trentino to cover roofs of houses and other buildings. The word scandolari, therefore, referred to those craftsmen who made/prepared these scandole. The surname, therefore, infers someone in the family's past had the profession of a shingle maker. Bertoluzza says the surname originates in Val Giudicarie. While the variant 'Scandolari' seems to be fairly limited to the area in and around Tione, 'Scandola' appears in the parish of Ala in Vallagarina.
ScandolariA 'scandola' (plural: scandole) was a kind of flat shingle that was, in the past, used throughout the province of Trentino to cover roofs of houses and other buildings. The word scandolari, therefore, referred to those craftsmen who made/prepared these scandole. The surname, therefore, infers someone in the family's past had the profession of a shingle maker. Bertoluzza says the surname originates in Val Giudicarie, and it seems to be fairly limited to the area in and around Tione. I have found Scandolari in the records for the parish of Tione at least to the beginning of the 1700s, but it probably goes back further.
ScanzoniScansoniIn 1759, an excavation in the parish of San Stefano in Revo' (Val di Non) led to the discovery of a Roman era funerary stone for a veteran named 'L. Scanzio Crescens' of the Papiria clan, an ancient patrician family that flourished between 400 B.C. and 200 A.D. Bertoluzza suggests the surname (which originates in Val di Non) is a patronymic derived from this ancient Roman personal name, and possibly from this very man. I have not yet done extensive research on this surname, but it appears prominently in the parish of Fondo at least back to the early 1700s.
SchweizerSchweitzer; Sbaizer; Sbeizer; Sguaizer; Sweizer; Swaizer; Svaizer; Sveizer; Sbaiçer (early)A surname of Germanic origin referring to someone from Switzerland (Schweizer is the word for 'Swiss' in German). The surname is found in many Germanic countries. For me, the most famous person with this surname who springs to mind is Alsatian theologian, organist, writer, humanitarian, philosopher and physician, Albert Schweitzer (1875-1965).

The surname has been in the province of Trentino for many centuries, but in in a wide variety of spellings, as the Germanic pronunciation does not translate easily into Italian or Italianate dialects. Bertoluzza says the original German Schweizers, along with the Greifenberg and Offer families, were brought to Caldes and Terzolas, by the noble Thun family, to cultivate those lands (he does not say when, however).

In the city of Trento, we find the surname as early as 1475, during the infamous Inquisition trials against the Jewish community. In those trials, a Giovanni Schweizer (spelled Sbaiçer in the court records), a Catholic from Trento, was accused of murdering a young child name Simone, allegedly to frame a member of the Jewish community with whom he had a financial dispute. Schweizer was eventually acquitted, but as the trial progressed, many members of the Jewish community were later convicted of 'ritual murder' and executed. Although never canonised, a controversial cult dedicated to the murdered child, dubbed 'San Simonino di Trento', flourished for centuries, until Pope Paul VI officially removed his name from Roman Martyrology in 1965.

Aside from the Trento Schweizers, Bertoluzza mentions a Giovanni 'Squaizer' of Villa Lagarina in 1495. Although I have not yet researched this surname extensively, I have found it (frequently starting with 'Sv' or 'Sb') in the records in and around Mezzano in Primiero back to the early 1700s. As yet, I have no historical evidence linking the various Schweizer families in these different parts of the province, but one would assume they were all descended from the original families brought to Trentino by the Thun.
SebastianiBastianiPatronymic derived from the male personal name 'Sebastiano'. San Sebastiano was a Catholic saint who was martyred in Rome around the end of the 2nd century. He and San Rocco are invoked by the faithful for protection against the plague.

In my own research, the earliest Sebastiani I have found was a Sebastiano Sebastiani of Comighello in Bleggio (Val Giudicarie), who was born sometime around 1530. This line used the soprannome 'Scalfana' for a few generations, possibly indicating they originally came from Valle di Scalve in the province of Bergamo in Lombardia (see the surname 'Scalfi' for more about this). In the 1680s, two sons of a Nicolo Sebastiani (Giovanni Battista and Francesco) moved from Comighello to nearby Sesto in the 1680s, starting new branches of the family there. While the original Comighello line appears to have died out around the end of the 19th century, the Sesto line still flourishes today.
SegalaSegalla; Della Segalla; DellasegallaFrom the word 'segala' meaning 'rye', a grain that has been traditionally cultivated throughout the province. Early versions of the surname can be found back to the 1200s. More info to follow.
SegnaFrom the word meaning 'sign'; most probably a contraction of the word 'buoninsegna', meaning 'good sign'. Appearing most prominently in Brez in Val di Non, I have also found it Castelfondo, and in Marazzone in Bleggio (Val Giudicarie). The earliest Segna I have so far identified is an Eleuterio Segna of Marazzone, born around 1525, but the surname in Marazzone died out before the end of the 1600s.
Seiainfo to follow
SeppiSep; Sepp; Seppo; SeppisA patronymic derived from the name 'Josef' or 'Josep', 'Seppi' is commonly believed to be of Germanic origin. Originally recorded as 'Sep' or 'Sepp', the present-day spelling of 'Seppi' only became standard around 1775. Note that Bertoluzza includes this surname under his entry for 'Gios', not 'Seppi'.

Most likely originating in Kaltern ('Cardaro' in Italian) in South Tyrol (aka province of Bolzano), a branch of the Kaltern Sepp family was granted a stemma in 1649 with the predicate 'von Seppenburg'. From this family came Anton Sepp of Kaltern (born 21 November 1655; died 13 January 1733), a Jesuit missionary and musician who taught in Paraguay, South America.

In Trentino, the surname has long flourished in the village of Ruffre' (historically part of the parish of Sarnonico) in the northern part of Val di Non. Some early branches appear in nearby Cloz, but it died out by the mid-1700s. By the early 19th century, we see a few Seppi families appearing in Malosco (a curate parish of Sarnonico), Casez, Cles, and Marceno di Rumo. But to this day, it is still primarily associated with Ruffre'.

Anzilotti tells us that the village of Ruffre' was originally settled by German-speaking workers and farmers in 1200-1300s, who were sent by the ancient noble Rottemburg family (the Lords of Caldaro and Castelfondo) for the purpose of making charcoal, collecting tree resin, felling trees, and obtaining lumber. Thus, the residents of Ruffre' are the descendants of those colonists, which explains the prevalence of Germanic surnames in that village. Part of this Germanic diaspora, the Seppi of Ruffre' nearly always married into other Germanic families, i.e., Kofler, Zogmaister, Larcher or other Seppi.

The earliest Seppi baptismal record in Ruffre' is for a Cristoforo, born 16 February 1586, whose father Giorgio was most likely born 1550-1560. The earliest baptismal record in Cloz (where the surviving records do not go beyond 1599) is for girl named Oliva, born 2 November 1601, whose father Bartolomeo was most likely born 1565-1575.

It seems likely the early Seppi in Cloz came from Ruffre', but I do not have any documentation for this. We do not see any 'Sep' in the 1550 Carta di Regola for Cloz, which might mean they had not yet arrived there, or they had arrived recently, but were not yet considered full 'citizens' of the village. On the other hand, it may simply mean there were no Seppi men of majority age alive at the time of the drafting of the document.
SerafiniSeraffini; Serrafini; Seraphini; Seraphim; Serafin; Serafino; SerafinnSee detailed article The SERAFINI of Trentino. Preore, Ragoli, Bleggio, Faver, and More.
SicheriVery old surname found in Val Giudicarie, especially around Stenico and in Santa Croce del Bleggio. More info to follow.
SimonaInfo to follow
SimoncelliPatronymic surname derived from the male personal name 'Simone'. This variant is common around the city of Rovereto.
SocinSozin; SozzinBertoluzza suggests the name may be derived from the word socio, meaning 'fellow' or 'partner', with the significance of someone very modest. He says the name originated in Val di Non; historically, it is found pretty much exclusively in the parish of Sarnonico.

The surname appears in the parish records for Sarnonico which begin in 1585, but the name was most likely there well before this date. On 14 December 1586, for example, two men from Sarnonico with the surname Socin (Leonardo and Giovanni) were present at the signing of the 'Capitoli per il gaggio comune di Sarnonico e Ronzone', a charter of rules of how the natural resources of their communities were to be used. For their names to appear on this document, they would need to have been legal adults (at least 25 years old), as well as full 'citizens' of the comune, rather than recently arriving residents, who had been born elsewhere. Thus, we can safely assume the surname was in Sarnonico at least by the mid-1500s, and probably earlier.
SottoviaThis surname is comprised of two words: 'sotto' (which means 'under' or 'below') and 'via' (which means 'way' or 'street'). Thus, the combined meaning is 'under the street', but it could also mean 'below' (such at the bottom of a hill). As a surname, it would have originally referred to a family whose house was located somewhere 'below' the road, whatever that may have pertained to in its day. Bertoluzza says the surname originates in Val Giudicarie, and indeed it seems to be indigenous and exclusive to the area in and around San Lorenzo in Banale. I haven't researched this surname extensively, but I have found it in records from San Banale back to the mid-1700s.
SparapaniSparapan; Sparapano; Sparapanus (Latin)According to Aldo Bertoluzza, the surname Sparapani comes from a soprannome made from the combination of the old dialect word sparàr (today sparagnàr), which means 'to save up', and 'pane', meaning 'bread'. Thus, the compound word means 'to save up bread'. To me, it sounds like a teasing nickname, used to describe someone who was known for storing up food (or things in general), rather than indulging or distributing.

The surname seems to have originated in Preghena, with at least one branch appearing later the adjacent village of Livo. The earliest mention of the nascent surname I have found in any records is in a legal document dated 23 July 1427 in a private collection owned by the Thun family. In that document, there is a reference to a man called 'Nicolo' detto "Sparapan" fu "Rigus" da Preghena', i.e. 'Nicolo', called “SparapanÂâ€, son of the late “RigusÂâ€, of Preghena. The word 'detto' implies this was his soprannome, perhaps given to him to describe something about his personality.

Within the next generation, this soprannome seems to have transitioned into a formal surname. The earliest record of it I have found is in the Preghena church parchments (pergamene) in the years 1504-1505. Pergamena number 214, dated 20 May 1504, mentions an Antonio Sparapani; a few months later, on 10 January 1505 (pergamena 215), he is referred to as 'Antonio, son of the late Giovanni Sparapani'.

We see Antonio again in other records. One, dated 9 April 1513, 'Antonio, son of the late Giovanni Sparapani, and his son Nicolo'' are cited as witnesses at the signing of a legal document for one of their neighbours. This same 'Antonio, son of the late Giovanni Sparapani' is cited again later that same year (pergamena 227, dated 26 December 1513) as being present at a land sale, where he is referred to as being one of the 'sindaci' (mayors) of the parish. By 22 October 1529 (pergamena 244), Antonio is cited as deceased, when his son Giovanni's name starts to appear in records. By 2 May 1534 (pergamena 247), the younger Giovanni also becomes a sindaco.

Given the fact Antonio's son Nicolo' would have to have been a legal adult at the signing of the first document, and his father Antonio would have been an 'elder' of the town to have been mayor, I estimate Antonio was born circa 1460. From other records, he appears to have died between Nov 1523-Oct 1529, when he was mostly likely in his 60s. His late father Giovanni, therefore, was most likely born about 1430, making the elder Giovanni Sparapani of Preghena the earliest Sparapani I have found mentioned the parish pergamene. He may well have been the son or grandson of the Nicolo' “Sparapan†mentioned in the Thun document, but I cannot find any concrete evidence linking them.

Using the Livo parish registers, the earliest Sparapani I have found is a Simone Sparapani (born ca. 1530) from Preghena. He appears to be the son of the younger Giovanni mentioned above, as in the Preghena pergamena number 268, dated 3 May 1569, we see a 'Simone, son of the late Giovanni Sparapani of Preghena' cited as one of the 'rectors and governors' of the Confraternity of Santi Fabiano and Sebastiano of Cassino.

Some branches of the Sparapani were ennobled. In Stemmi e Notizie di Famiglie Trentine, Tabarelli de Fatis says the notary Giuseppe Michele of Livo was elevated to the rank of cavaliere Knight of the Holy Roman Empire, with the predicate 'zu Isckhienfeld', by Emperor Carlo VI on 6 September 1740, which was later confirmed by the Prince Bishop in 1745. One Captain Giuseppe Maria Sparapani (1808-1864) is cited in the list of Bavarian nobility in 1842, but this line has since gone extinct.

There were other noble branches of the Sparapani family, which Tabarelli de Fatis does not mention in his book. For example, Antonio Sparapani of Preghena, born about 1635 (there is a gap in the records), who worked as a notary at least between the years 1661-1691, was apparently awarded some sort of noble titled by December 1661, as he and his children are referred to as ennobled. This has to have been an honour bestowed on him in adulthood, as neither his father Alessandro nor any of his siblings appear in the records as ennobled.

Historian P. Remo Stenico lists five notaries and seven priests who had the name Sparapani. Two of these priests (in the latter half of the 18th century) were said to be from (or at least based in) Tramin in South Tyrol.
Family historians owe a special debt to the priest don Livio Sparapani of Preghena (9 December 1935-27 December 2019). In 1995, he founded the Diocesan Archives of Trento, which he directed until 2018. Under his direction, all of the church registers from every parish in the Archdiocese of Trento were photographed and later digitised and made available to the public. No other diocese in all of Italy (with the recent exception of Bolzano) has such a wonderful historical and genealogical legacy.
SperanzaSurname found most prominently in Saone, Preore and Bleggio. The word 'speranza' means 'hope' (more to follow).
Springhettiinfo to follow
StanchinaSee detailed article The Stanchina of Trentino. Origins, Nobility, Genealogy. Also available as a downloadable PDF from the Trentino Genealogy Digital Shop.
StedileStedille; Stadel; Stadler; Stadille (USA)A surname is of Germanic origin, Stedile is most likely derived from the Middle High German word 'stadel', meaning a barn or a granary, and related to the German surname 'Stadler'. It would originally have referred to someone who lived near a barn or granary, or whose occupation was associated with a granary. In Trentino, the surname appears primarily in Terragnolo (east of Rovereto), especially in the frazione 'Stedileri', the ancient family homestead. Tracing the history of the family is difficult, as all the registers for Terragnolo before the year 1894 have been lost, except for the years 1784-1816. Copies of the missing years which would ordinarily have been held in the decanale of Rovereto are also missing. That said, Bertoluzza cites a Giovanni Stadler who lived in Terragnolo in 1574, so early variants of surname have been in the province at least that long. Linguist Giulia Anzilotti also cites a Biagio Stedele of Terragnolo whose name appears in a document dated 1698.
StolzisStolziInfo to follow
TabarelliTabarelli de FatisInfo to follow
TarolliTaroliinfo to follow
Tasiniinfo to follow
TassoTassi; Taxisinfo to follow
TavernarOne of a handful of Trentino surnames originally derived from a soprannome referring to someone who owned a taverna, i.e., a place for eating and drinking, sometimes with guest rooms for travellers.

Tavernar appears to be native to the parish of Capriana in Val di Fiemme, in the eastern part of the province. Although I have not yet researched this surname fully, I know it dates back at least to the mid-1700s there.
TavernariOne of handful of Trentino surnames originally derived from a soprannome referring to someone who owned a taverna, i.e., a place for eating and drinking, sometimes with guest rooms for travellers.

The specific surname Tavernari appears most prominently in Tione di Trento in Val Giudicarie.
TaverniniOne of handful of Trentino surnames originally derived from a soprannome referring to someone who owned a taverna, i.e., a place for eating and drinking, sometimes with guest rooms for travellers.

The largest concentration of the surname Tavernini is found in the southern part of the province of Trentino, most prominently in the parish of Drò and its surrounding frazioni of Ceniga and Pietramurata, where it has been recorded at least back to the 1600s. The Nati in Trentino website also shows Tavernini families in this general area of the province, namely Arco, Calavino, Sarche, Nago-Torbole, and Varone (a frazione of Riva del Garda). I would imagine these may all branches of the Tavernini of Drò, but I have yet to research this.

During World War 1, many families from these places were temporarily relocated for their own safety to Braunau in Austria, so we find several Tavernini births there between 1915-1917.

In the 19th and 20th centuries, other Tavernini appear in and around Levico Terme, as well as in the city of Trento.

One branch of the noble Levri family of Fiavé has the soprannome Tavernini, because one of its female ancestors had this surname.
TeciniThe surname Tecini is derived from the dialect verb 'tesser' ('tessere' in Italian), meaning 'to weave'. Thus, it started as a soprannome of someone who was a weaver by profession. The family were originally from Tesino in Valsugana but settled in the city of Trento before the year 1528. A branch of the family, led by an Antonio Tecini, developed in Val di Non, after having fled a terrible plague epidemic that struck the city of Trento in 1575. One branch of the family returned to Trento sometime afterwards. The Tecini were recognised as episcopal noble dignitaries in 1675 by the Prince Bishop of Trento, Sigismondo Alfonso Thun. Later, a Giovanni Antonio Tecini of Sarnonico (possibly the one born 30 July 1633, son of Salvatore and Anna) was also awarded the diploma of episcopal nobility in 1698. Their surname is sometimes seen with the suffix 'von Kreuzfeld' (in German) or 'di Campocroce' (in Italian), meaning 'field cross'. A Francesco Tecini of Sarnonico (1763-1853) was a renowned Latinist and professor of logic and metaphysics.
TerziTerzaLiterally 'third' or 'the third'. (More to follow)
TisotSurname found mainly in and around parish of Fiera di Primiero. More info to follow.
ToloviInfo to follow
TomasiniPatronymic surname derived from the male personal name 'Tommaso' or 'Tomaso' (equivalent of Thomas, in English). Bertoluzza says the personal name comes from the name 'Taoma' in the Aramaic language, meaning 'twin'. Variants appear widely dispersed throughout the province. I have found the surname Tomasini in Vergonzo in the parish of Santa Croce del Bleggio (Val Giudicarie) at least as far back as the early 1500s.
TomazzoniPatronymic surname derived from the male personal name 'Tommaso' or 'Tomaso' (equivalent of Thomas, in English). Bertoluzza says the personal name comes from the name 'Taoma' in the Aramaic language, meaning 'twin'. Variants appear widely dispersed throughout the province. I have found the surname Tomazzoni in Bono in the parish of Santa Croce del Bleggio (Val Giudicarie) at least as far back as the early 1500s.
TommasiTomasiPatronymic surname derived from the male personal name 'Tommaso' or 'Tomaso' (equivalent of Thomas, in English). Bertoluzza says the personal name comes from the name 'Taoma' in the Aramaic language, meaning 'twin'. Variants appear widely dispersed throughout the province. I have not yet researched 'Tommasi' in depth, but I have so far found it in Dorsino in the parish of Tavodo (Val Giudicarie) at least as far back as the early 1700s.
ToniniOne of many of patronymic surnames derived from the male personal name 'Antonio', and associated with S. Antonio (Saint Anthony) of Padova and/or S. Antonio Abate. Variations are widely spread throughout the province; early versions of the surname appear in records back to the 1300s. Bertoluzza says the original meaning of the name Antonio is unclear, but it was an Etruscan variant of the Latin name Antonius. The variant 'Tonini' appears prominently in the village of Fiave'' in Val Giudicarie, where I have found it in records at least as far back as the late 1600s (but it is probably much older).
Toniolli
TorresaniSurname of a noble family of Val di Non, especially around Sarnonico and Cles (more to follow).
TosiTosFound commonly in the southern part of the province, especially in Arco and in Balbido (parish of Santa Croce del Bleggio in Val Giudicarie). The Balbido surname appears to have originally been a soprannome for a branch of the noble Crosina family, and was adopted as the proper surname sometime in the 1700s. More info to follow.
TrentiniTrentiinfo to follow
TrettelSurname of Germanic origin found most commonly in Val di Fiemme, especially in the parishes of Panchia', Ziano di Fiemme and Predanzo. More info to follow.
TroggioTroggi; Troggiainfo to follow
TroterSurname found in and around Fiera di Primiero. More info to follow.
Turrainfo to follow
Turriinfo to follow
UrbaniUrban; Urbanelli; UrbinatiPatronymic surname derived from the male personal name 'Urbano' (from the Latin 'urbs'), which means 'someone who lives in the city' or 'a citizen'. Bertoluzza says its use as a surname began in Val d'Adige, which includes the city of Trento. He also says the specific variant 'Urbanati' specifically refers to the city and/or province of Urbino. Stenico cites a priest named Giovanni Battista Urbanelli of Caldonazzo (ca. 1697-1754). The earliest appearance of the surname I have found so far in my own research was a Domenico Urbani of Trambileno, who was most likely born around 1610.
ValentiniInfo to follow
Vallettiinfo to follow
Venturiniinfo to follow
VigiliDevilli; Devili; de Villi; de Vili; de Vigili; Vili; VilliOld ennobled family, probably of Mezzolombardian origin, and possibily indicating a person employed in the imperial guard.
Vigneinfo to follow
ViolaInfo to follow
VisentiniVesentin; Vesentini; Vicentin; Vicentini; Visentin; Visintin; VisintiniBertoluzza says this surname is derived from a soprannome attributed to a person who originally came from either the city or the province of Vicenza in the region of Veneto. While Bertoluzza says its origins as a Trentino surname are in Val d'Adige (e.g. in and around the city of Trento) and Val Giudicarie, it has also appeared prominently in Val di Non for many centuries. Bertoluzza cites a Pietro, son of Giovanni Visentini of Nanno appearing in a record dated 1536. In my own research, I have also seen surname prominently in the frazione of Amblar in the parish of Romeno in the 18th and 19th centuries.

Bertoluzza also mentions a Lorenzo Visentini of Trento as being a renowned 18th century engraver (I assume he means for illustrations in books).

See also 'Visintainer'.
VisintainerVisenteiner; WisteinerBertoluzza says this surname is derived from a soprannome attributed to a person who originally came from either the city or the province of Vicenza in the region of Veneto. Tabarelli de Fatis says that some lines say the Visintainer originally came from Vicenza to Terzolas, but he appears to be of the opinion that they were originally from South Tyrol (i.e. Alto Adige). While Bertoluzza says its origins as a Trentino surname are in Val D'Adige (e.g. in and around the city of Trento) and Val Giudicarie, it has also appeared for many centuries in Val di Sole and Val di Non.

In my own research, I have found it to be especially prominent in Cagno' (Val di Non), where they appear in the list of noble gentry as early as 1529. Tabarelli de Fatis says the title of nobility was first conferred by Prince Bishop Bernardo Cles in 1527 to Baldassare, Melchiore, Leonardo and Ettore Visintainer, who were originally from Male' in Val di Sole, but had transferred to Cagno'. In 1663, members of the family also received titles of imperial nobility from Emperor of the Holy Roman Empire, Leopoldo I.

In 1587, the Noble messer Tommaso Visintainer and his brother Bartolomeo are cited amongst those present at the drafting of the Carta di Regola for Cagno'. We can assume from this that they were both of majority age (at least 25), but they may well have been many years older.

In the parish records, the earliest Visintainer I have found so far is Giacomo Visintainer, also of Cagno', most likely born around 1595, he is cited as being nobility in the 1636 baptismal record of his son, Francesco. He and his wife Giacoma had no fewer than six children between 1623-1639.
VivaldelliInfo to follow
VivaldiInfo to follow
WaizSee Weiss
Webber
WeissWaiss; Waitz; WaizSurname of Germanic origin, meaning 'white'. In Trentino, it is found most commonly in Valsugana and Primiero, often with Italianised spelling (e.g. 'Waiz').
ZadraAccording to Bertoluzza, 'Zadra' comes from the Veneto dialect word 'zadro', which means a piazza (plaza) in which there was a theatre. Thus, the surname would have referred to a family who lived in or near such a piazza. Although its linguistic origins tell us 'Zadra' is not originally from Trentino but from Veneto, it has existed as a surname in Val di Non for many centuries. Bertoluzza cites it in the parish of Cis back to the early 1700s, and in my own research, I have so far found it in the parish of Tres back to the beginning of the 1600s.
ZambaniniOriginally a soprannome indicating the family came from the paese of Zambana, a village just north of the city of Trento. The surname first appears in Val Giudicarie, mostly around Seo in the parish of Tavodo (near Stenico), and dates at least back to the mid-1400s. P. Remo Stenico cites a Pietro Zambanini of Seo, son of Domenico, who worked as a notary between the years of 1443-1463; his son Antonio was also a notary between 1475-1498. He also cites a priest named Vigilio Zambanini whose name appears around the year 1500 in Cles.

While I haven't yet done and exhaustive study of this family, the earliest Zambanini I have found so far in my own research is a Luigi Zambanini of Seo, most likely born around 1645.
ZambiasiGiambiasi; Joanbiasi; Joanblasis; Blasi; Biasi; BiasiusSee detailed article ZAMBIASI of Val di Non. Origins, Nobility, Theatre, Science..
ZamboniZambonOne of dozens of patronymic surnames derived from the male personal name Giovanni. In this form, 'Giovanni' is shortened to 'Gian' (transformed to 'Zan') and then joined with the word 'bono' (meaning 'good'). The letter 'z' was often used interchangeably with 'gi' and was most likely pronounced more softly than an Italian 'z' is pronounced today (more like a French 'j' as in 'Jacques'). Linguistically, an 'n' typically changes to an 'm' before the letter 'b', as it is easier to say. The combined meaning of the word 'Zan(m) + bono' means 'Giovanni the good'. The surname Zamboni appears in places as far from each other as Tione and San Lorenzo in Banale (in Val Giudicarie), Arsio-Brez (in Val di Non), and Vezzano (in Valle dei Laghi). A Luigi Zamboni from Vezzano married a woman from Cavrasto in Santa Croce del Bleggio in Val Giudicarie in 1793, starting a new branch of this surname there. The Trentino-American entrepreneur Frank J. Zamboni (1901-1988) is famed for inventing the 'Zamboni' resurfacing machine used on ice rinks. Other examples of this linguistic combination and meaning are the surnames Zambotti in Castelfondo (Val di Non) and in Fiave' (Val Giudicarie), and Zambanini (in Tavodo parish, Val Giudicarie).
ZambottiOne of dozens of patronymic surnames derived from the male personal name Giovanni. In this form, 'Giovanni' is shortened to 'Gian' (transformed to 'Zan') and then joined with the word 'bono' (meaning 'good'). The letter 'z' was often used interchangeably with 'gi' and was most likely pronounced more softly than an Italian 'z' is pronounced today (more like a French 'j' as in 'Jacques'). Linguistically, an 'n' typically changes to an 'm' before the letter 'b', as it is easier to say. The combined meaning of the word 'Zan(m) + bono' means 'Giovanni the good'. The combined meaning of the word 'Zan(m) + bono' means 'Giovanni the good'. Another example of this combination is the surname Zamboni. Zambotti appears in places as far from each other as Castelfondo (Val di Non) and Fiave' (Val Giudicarie), but the Castelfondo family are said to have originated in Fiave'.
ZancanellaZanca; Zancan; Zancanar; Zancanaro; Zanchetta; Zanchetti; Zanchi; Zanchielli; Zanco; ZanconatoBertoluzza says this surname was originally a soprannome derived from the dialect term 'zanc' or 'zanco', which indicates someone who was left-handed. He adds that the expression 'zancheti' is used in a playful, teasing way. He adds that the soprannome originated in Val d'Adige, and was already in use during the medieval era, with forms of the name (Zenketa, Zanchete) showing up in the city of Trento in the early 1200s.

Prior to the mid-19th century, 'Zancanella' appears predominantly in the parish of Segonzano (Val di Cembra), with more recent families appearing in Verla, Molina di Fiemme, and other parishes. Stenico cites two 19th-century Zancanella priests, both from Molina di Fiemme. The earliest Zancanella I have found so far is Giovanni Zancanella, who was born around 1645 in the frazione of Valcava, in the parish of Segonzano.
ZanellaOne of many patronymic surnames derived from the male personal name Giovanni. In this form, 'Giovanni' is shortened to 'Gian' (transformed to 'Zan'). The letter 'z' was often used interchangeably with 'gi' and was most likely pronounced more softly than an Italian 'z' is pronounced today (more like a French 'j' as in 'Jacques'). 'Zanella' appears in many parts of the province, but is especially prominent in Magras and Male' in Val di Sole.
ZanettiZanetiOne of many dozens of patronymic surnames derived from the root 'Zan', which is an alternative spelling of the male personal name Gian (i.e. Giovanni). You will often see 'Z' and 'Gi' treated interchangeably in Trentino names, as they were pronounced similarly, and probably sounded more like the letter 'J' in the French name 'Jacques'. The man's name comes from the Hebrew word 'Johanen' which means 'gift of the Lord'. In Val Giudicarie this spelling was sometimes used for the GENETTI family, who were originally from Castelfondo in Val di Non, although the surname may have existed as 'Zanetti' prior to the arrival of a Castelfondo Genetti in 1609.
ZaniniOne of many dozens of patronymic surnames derived from the root 'Zan', which is an alternative spelling of the male personal name Gian (i.e. Giovanni). More info to follow.
ZanolliZanolliOne of many dozens of patronymic surnames derived from the root 'Zan', which is an alternative spelling of the male personal name Gian (i.e. Giovanni). You will often see 'Z' and 'Gi' treated interchangeably in Trentino names, as they were (in the past) pronounced similarly, and probably sounded more like the letter 'J' in the French name 'Jean/Jeanne'. The man's name comes from the Hebrew word 'Johanen' which means 'gift of the Lord'. The version 'Zanolli' appears prominently in and around the area of Tenno in Val Giudicarie.
ZanonOne of many dozens of patronymic surnames derived from the root 'Zan', which is an alternative spelling of the male personal name Giovanni (shortened to 'Gian'), derived from the Hebrew name 'Yohanan' meaning 'graced by God (Yahweh)'. You will often see 'z' and 'gi' used interchangeably in Trentino names, as they were (in the past) pronounced similarly, possibly more like the 'J' in the French name 'Jacques' than a modern Italian 'z'. The version 'Zanon' (without a final vowel) appears widely dispersed in many parishes in the northern part of the province. More info to follow.
ZanoniZannoniOne of many dozens of patronymic surnames derived from the root 'Zan', which is an alternative spelling of the male personal name Giovanni (shortened to 'Gian'), derived from the Hebrew name 'Yohanan' meaning 'graced by God (Yahweh)'. You will often see 'z' and 'gi' used interchangeably in Trentino names, as they were (in the past) pronounced similarly, possibly more like the 'J' in the French name 'Jacques' than a modern Italian 'z'. The version 'Zanoni' appears prominently in and around the areas around Lake Garda, such as Riva, Arco, Tenno and Cologna, as well as in Vigo Lomaso in Val Giudicarie, and places much further north, such as Cles and Cloz in Val di Non. There were many Zanoni notaries throughout the centuries, most prominently from Vigo Lomaso, Tenno and Arco. The earliest Zanoni notary cited by P. Remo Stenico was Antonio Zanoni of Vigo Lomaso, son of Giovanni, whose signature appears in the pergamene (parchments) for San Lorenzo in Banale as early as 1452, and whose son Nicolo' apparently followed in his footsteps by 1477.
ZanotelliOne of many dozens of patronymic surnames derived from the root 'Zan', which is an alternative spelling of the male personal name Giovanni (shortened to 'Gian'), derived from the Hebrew name 'Yohanan' meaning 'graced by God (Yahweh)'. You will often see 'z' and 'gi' used interchangeably in Trentino names, as they were (in the past) pronounced similarly, possibly more like the 'J' in the French name 'Jacques' than a modern Italian 'z'. The version Zanotelli appears most prominently in the village of Preghena in Val di Sole. The earliest person I have found with this name there is a Michele Zanotelli, born around 1550.
ZeniOne of many patronymic surnames derived from the male personal name 'Zeno' or 'Zenone', with the meaning 'gift of Zeus'. The surname Zeni appears in numerous places throughout the province. To date I have found it as far back as the late 1500s in the villages of Poia (Vigo Lomaso parish) and Fiave'.
ZenonianiOne of many patronymic surnames derived from the male personal name 'Zeno' or 'Zenone', with the meaning 'gift of Zeus'. More info to follow.
ZillerCiller; Cilleri; Cileri; Ciler; Cillera; Ziler; Zillera; Zill, etc.See detailed article Origins and Evolution of the ZILLER Families of Trentino.. Also available as a downloadable PDF from the Trentino Genealogy Digital Shop.
Zimadorinfo to follow
ZiniBertoluzza says this surname is derived from the male personal name Zino (or Azzino), and that it appears in Cavareno records at least as far back as the 1530s. While he says the name is native to Cavareno, other sources tell us the Zini family (also called 'Zini di Zinaburg') were orginally from Moravia, and were already an ancient, noble family, powerful and rich in both land and castles, when they moved to Trentino sometime in the 15th century. For more information about this, see the books 'Cavareno: spunti di paesaggio di storia e di vita' (1967) by Cristoforo Endrizzi, and 'Stemmi e Notizie di Famiglie Trentine' (2005) by Gianmaria Tabarelli de Fati and Luciano Borrelli.
ZoanettiOne of many dozens of patronymic surnames derived from the root 'Zan', which is an alternative spelling of the male personal name Gian (i.e. Giovanni). You will often see 'Z' and 'Gi' treated interchangeably in Trentino names, as they were (in the past) pronounced similarly, and probably sounded more like the letter 'J' in the French name 'Jean/Jeanne'. The man's name comes from the Hebrew word 'Johanen' which means 'gift of the Lord'. The specific version 'Zoanetti' appears mainly in and around the Tione area, especially in around Zuclo, where I have found it in records as far back as the late 1500s.
Zocchioinfo to follow
ZogmaisterZogmeister; Zochmaister; ZocmaisterObviously Germanic in origin, this surname, according to Bertoluzza, is most likely derived from the word 'Saegmeister', meaning a lumberjack / sawyer, equivalent to 'segatore' in Italian, and 'segot' or 'segata' in Trentino dialect. The surname originated in Val di Non, specifically in Ruffre'. The earliest examples of Zogmaister I have found so far in my own research are Michele, Rocco and Romedio Zogmaister, who were all born around the year 1600 in Ruffre'. I do not yet know if or how they are related. Of these three, Romedio later moved to nearby Sarnonico.
ZorteaToponymic surname derived from a place of the same name in Canal San Bovo in Valle del Vanoi. Linguistica historian Giulia Anzilotti believes it is derived from the female name 'Dorotea'. It is found mainly in and around the parishes of Prade, Canal San Bovo, Mezzano and Primiero. I have not researched this name extensively, but I have found it in the Mezzano area as far back as the mid-1700s.
ZorziZorzo; GiorgiVery old patronymic surname derived from the Latin male personal name 'Georgius', from the Greek 'Georgios', meaning 'a husbandman or farmer'. This name is 'Giorgio' modern Italian and, of course, 'George' in English. Sometimes spelled 'Giorgi', you will often see 'Z' and 'Gi' treated interchangeably in Trentino names, as they were pronounced similarly, and probably sounded more like the letter 'J' in the French name 'Jacques'. As with many patronymics, it is found in many parts of the province, and they are not necessarily related. In my own research, I have found the surname in two disparate parts of the province, namely Stenico (in Val Giudicarie) and Preghena/Livo (Val di Sole). The earliest Zorzi I have found so far is an Antonio Zorzi of Preghena, born around 1530.
Zuc - (root)In his book 'Guida ai Cognomi del Trentino', linguistic historian Aldo Bertoluzza shows 'Zucco' as the root for over 30 Trentino surnames and their variants, offering several suggestions for their linguistic origins.
His first theory is that some of these surnames are derived from the nickname 'Zucco' or 'Zuco', which he says is an abbreviation of the male personal names Marzucco or Mazzocco.

We should also note that the Italian word zucca means 'pumpkin'. Thus, Bertoluzza says some surnames derived from this root may have originally referred to people who either grew or sold pumpkins. Amusingly, he also tells us of a nickname 'Zucco', which is often used derogatively as an insult, referring to someone who is empty-headed or of low intelligence (Bertoluzza literally says 'turnip head'). Personally, I cannot see why anyone would voluntarily choose this as their surname if it had been derived from such an insult!

Alternatively, he suggests a Germanic origin, suggesting it might be related to the word 'Zog', meaning 'duke'. He also says that the term 'Zuchei' was used by the Trentini to refer to the Germans, during the Hapsburgs era.

Bertoluzza lists these surnames and variants as having been derived from this root: Zucal, Zucali, Zucalli, Zucat, Zucatti, Zucca, Zuccal, Zuccala, Zuccali, Zuccante, Zuccarello, Zuccaro, Zuccati, Zuccato, Zuccatti, Zucchelli, Zucchellini, Zucchetti, Zucchi, Zucchiatti, Zucchini, Zuccol, Zuccoli, Zuccolli, Zuccolo, Zuccolotto, Zuccon, Zucconi, Zuchelli, Zucol, Zucolli.

As so many of these variants appear to have arisen independently in different parts of the province, I would be hesitant to say they all had the same linguistic origin. I have entered the root as 'Zuc' rather than 'Zucco', because not all the surnames he connects to this root have a double 'c', or an 'o' at the end.
ZucalZucol; Zucoli; Zuccoliinfo to follow
ZucaliZuccali; Zucal; Zuccal The surname Zucali is historically associated with the village of Tozzaga (parish of San Giacomo) in Val di Sole. Sadly, the earliest parish records there have been lost, and the earliest records we have from San Giacomo are dated 1666. Fortunately, however, we do have many legal parchments from San Giacomo (also called 'Solasna' in early documents), dating back to the early 1500s, many of which contain references to the Zucali.

The earliest mention of the surname I have found so far is for a 'Magister' Pietro Zucali (usually a term for a master craftsman of some kind) cited as representing the village of Tozzaga in land sale agreement drafted in Cassana (also in San Giacomo) on 9 January 1503. A few years later, we find a Cristoforo, son of the late Giacomo Zucali of Tozzaga, cited in a legal agreement drafted in Male' on 24 September 1514. We learn that this same Cristoforo used the soprannome 'Bellotto' in a document from 1517. By 1541, we see another soprannome -- 'Sonza' -- being used by one Giovanni Zucali of Tozzaga, son of the late Pietro. This Giovanni also served as one of the mayors of San Giacomo in this era.

The presence of at least two soprannomi in these early documents tells us there were already multiple branches of the Zucali living in Tozzaga by the beginning of the 1500s, indicating the surname was already established there by the mid-1400s, or perhaps even earlier.

A branch of the Tozzaga expanded to Romeno in Val di Non, when a Biagio, son of Bartolomeo Zucali of Tozzaga, married Cattarina Asson of Romeno (daughter of Stefano) on 10 February 1616. While I have not yet researched the Zucali of Romeno in detail, I would presume they are the ancestral parents of all the Zucali of Romeno today. From this branch was one Mario Camillo Zucali (spelled 'Zuccal' in the register), born in Romeno on 29 December 1897, whom Bertoluzza cites as having been a Trentino Legionnaire.

Note that, while the surname has many variants in older records, it is most frequently spelled 'Zucali' in present-day records for San Giacomo, while 'Zucal' seems to be found more frequently in Toss (and does not seem to be related).
Zuchelliinfo to follow
ZucolSurname found most commonly in Sarnonico in Val di Non. More info to follow.
ZuechZuegg; ZuekUsually seen written as 'Zuech' in Trentino, the original surname Zuegg is of Germanic origin. Linguistically, Bertoluzza says zuech and zuechi are Trentino dialect words refer to dry twigs / kindling used to start a fire. I find it unlikely, however, that this would be related to the original German name. In my own research, I have found this surname in the parish of Brez (mostly in the localities of Traversara and Rio) back to the mid-1600s.

Stenico lists two 18th century notaries with this surname, both from the comune of Cloz. He also lists more than a dozen priests with this surname (again back to the 18th century), most of whom were from Brez, but others from Fondo, Melango in Castelfondo, and two 20th century priests from San Felice di Senale.

Two present-day historians I know with this surname are Roberta Zuech (author and archivist at the Castello del Buonconsiglio in Trento) and Aldo Zuech (author of Tracce di storia a Malgolo).
Zurlainfo to follow