Show ContentsAltobello Surname History

From the historical and fascinating Italian region of Venice emerged a multitude of noble families, including the distinguished Altobello family. Although people were originally known only by a single name, it became necessary for people to adapt a second name to identify themselves as populations grew and travel became more frequent. The process of adopting fixed hereditary surnames was not complete until the modern era, but the use of hereditary family names in Italy began in the 10th and 11th centuries. Italian hereditary surnames were developed according to fairly general principles and they are characterized by a profusion of derivatives coined from given names. Although the most common type of family name found in the region of Venice is the patronymic surname, which is derived from the father's given name, the nickname type of surname is also frequently found. Nickname surnames were derived from an eke-name, or added name. They usually reflected the physical characteristics or attributes of the first person that used the name. The surname Altobello came from a tall and handsome person from the words alto and bello.

Early Origins of the Altobello family

The surname Altobello was first found in Cremona in 1497, with renowned painter and engraver Melone Altobello. Some of his works can be seen today in the Academy of Brera in Milan.

Early History of the Altobello family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Altobello research. The years 1560 and 1585 are included under the topic Early Altobello History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Altobello Spelling Variations

Spelling variations of this family name include: Altobello, Altobelli, Altobell, Altabello and many more.

Early Notables of the Altobello family

Prominent among bearers of this family in early times was

  • Francesco Antonio Altobello, born in Bitonto in the seventeenth century, was a prominent painter in the city...

Migration of the Altobello family

Some of the first settlers of this family name or some of its variants were: Cesare Altabelli, aged 32, who arrived at Ellis Island from Calfiorito, in 1907; Francesco Altabelli, aged 23, who arrived at Ellis Island from Civita, in 1907.


Contemporary Notables of the name Altobello (post 1700) +

  • Leonard Altobello, American politician, Mayor of Ishpeming, Michigan, 1956 1
  • Henry D. Altobello (1907-1988), American Democratic Party politician, Member of Connecticut State Senate; Mayor of Meriden, Connecticut, 1954-59; Delegate to Democratic National Convention from Connecticut, 1956 1


  1. The Political Graveyard: Alphabetical Name Index. (Retrieved 2015, November 4) . Retrieved from http://politicalgraveyard.com/alpha/index.html


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