Show ContentsBruti History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

From the ancient and picturesque Italian region of Venice emerged a variety of distinguished names, including the notable surname Bruti. Although people 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 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 traditional type of family name found in the region of Venice is the patronymic surname, which is derived from the father's given name, local surnames are also found. Local names, which are the least frequent of the major types of surnames found in Italy, are derived from a place-name where the original bearer once resided or held land. Often Italian local surnames bore the prefix "di," which signifies emigration from one place to another, but does not necessarily denote nobility. The Bruti family lived in Venice. It is from this city of refuge that the surname Bruti emerges. Earlier roots of the name exist during the Roman period, however, evidence of the continuity of a surname from this period do not exist.

Early Origins of the Bruti family

The surname Bruti was first found in the city of Venice. It is from this city of refuge that the surname Bruti emerges, with the earliest records showing Pietro Bruto, who was a Venetian priest during the 14th century.

Early History of the Bruti family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Bruti research. The years 1517 and 1521 are included under the topic Early Bruti History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Bruti Spelling Variations

Italian surnames come in far more variations than the names of most other nationalities. Regional traditions and dialects are a decisive factor in this characteristic. For example, northern names tend to end in "o", while southern in "i". Also important, but not unique to Italy, was the fact that before dictionaries and the printing press most scribes simply spelled words according to their sounds. The predictable result was an enormous number of spelling variations. The recorded spellings of Bruti include Brutti, Bruti, Brutto, Bruto, Lo Brutto, Lo Bruto, Bruttini and many more.

Early Notables of the Bruti family

Prominent among members of the family was

  • Pietro Bruti was Bishop of Troy and was created Bishop of Cattaro by Pope Sisto
  • Francesco Bruti was a valiant soldier and is glorified for his bravery in the battle of Lepanto, when he fought off the enemy from his ship
  • Jonno Bruti was a soldier who fought bravely against the Spaniards in 1521 to regain Italy's independence
  • Luigi Bruti was a respected lawyer in the Marche around this time
  • Domenico Bruti was mayor of Cosignano
  • Lucia Bruti was a talented painter and was also a brilliant architect in Rome
  • Stefano Bruti was Commissioner to the Apostles in Loreto at the church of Santa Casa, and was made an Apostle at Velletri

Migration of the Bruti family

Early North American immigration records have revealed a number of people bearing the name Bruti or a variant listed above: Alfordo Brutti, aged 19, who arrived at Ellis Island from S. Lorenzo Nueve, Italy in 1907; Antonio Brutti, aged 44 who arrived from Grottaninse, Italy in 1907.



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