Avanzini History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
Italy

From the northern Italian region of Emilia-Romagna emerged a variety of surnames. People in this region were originally known only by a single name; it became necessary for people to adopt a second name to identify themselves as populations grew and travel became more frequent. The process of adopting fixed hereditary surnames in Italy began as early as the 10th and 11th centuries. Avanzini as a surname was derived from a place-name where the original bearer once resided or held land. As such, it is categorized as a local name, one of the least frequent of the major types of surnames found in Italy. Often Italian local surnames bore the prefix "di," which signified emigration from one place to another, but did not necessarily denote nobility. The Avanzini family lived the name Avanzo, which comes from the Italian verb avanzsare, which means to advance. This name would have been ascribed to a child, usually the first born son and family heir, whose birth had been long awaited. The name also reveals that the parents felt the birth of their child would fulfill their lives. In medieval times, it was generally believed that a child's name would in some way bestow good fortune on the family.

Early Origins of the Avanzini family

The surname Avanzini was first found in Bologna (Latin: Bononia), where in 1306, when Bartolomeo Avanzi was listed there as a landholder at that time.

Early History of the Avanzini family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Avanzini research. The years 1375, 1389, 1490, 1550, 1570, 1600, 1612, 1645, 1656, 1679, 1686, 1718 and 1775 are included under the topic Early Avanzini History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Avanzini Spelling Variations

In comparison with other European surnames, Italian surnames have a surprising number of forms. They reflect the regional variations and the many dialects of the Italian language, each with its own distinctive features. For example, in Northern Italy the typical Italian surname suffix is "i", whereas in Southern Italy it is "o". Additionally, spelling changes frequently occurred because medieval scribes and church officials often spelled names as they sounded rather than according to any specific spelling rules. The spelling variations in the name Avanzini include Avancini, Avanzati, Avanzetti, Avanzi, Avanzini, Avanzo, Avanzaroli, Avanzolini, Davanzati, D'Avanzo, Davanzo, Vancini, Vanz, Vanzetti, Vanzetto, Vanzi, Vanzin, Vanzini and many more.

Early Notables of the Avanzini family

Prominent among members of the family was

Bartolomeo Luigi Avanzini was an architect in Modena in 1600, whose works include designs for the ducal palace of Modena
Pier Antonio Avanzini was a painter in Piacenza in 1656 whose works can be seen in the churches around Piacenza today

Migration of the Avanzini family

A look at the immigration and passenger lists has shown a number of people bearing the name Avanzini: P. Avanzo, aged 39, who landed in America, in 1893; Rosina Avanzo, aged 20, who settled in America from Nola, in 1898; Nicola Avanzo, aged 45, who landed in America from Del Lazio, Formicola, in 1898.

Contemporary Notables of the name Avanzini (post 1700) +

Dr. John Avanzini (b. 1936), American televangelist
Guy Avanzini (1929-2022), French academic, historian, philosopher and professor of social sciences at Lumière University Lyon 2
Michel Avanzini (b. 1989), Swiss professional footballer