| ![Show Contents]() Forti History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms
- Origins Available:
 Italy From the ancient and picturesque Italian region of Venice emerged a variety of distinguished names, including the notable surname Forti. 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 Forti family lived in Ferrara, one of the more prosperous cities at this early time. Records are found in 1322, when the Fortiboni family moved from Ferrara to Cesena. Early Origins of the Forti familyThe surname Forti was first found in Ferrara, a city and comune in Emilia-Romagna, northern Italy, capital city of the Province of Ferrara. History dates the city back to 753. Records are found in 1322, when the Fortiboni family moved from Ferrara to Cesena. Early History of the Forti familyThis web page shows only a small excerpt of our Forti research. The years 1419, 1465, 1508, 1590 and 1759 are included under the topic Early Forti History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Forti Spelling VariationsIn 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 Forti include Forti, Forte, Fort, Fortis, Lo Forte, Fortezza, Fortiboni, Fortini, Fortino, Fortin, Forteguerri and many more. Early Notables of the Forti familyProminent among members of the family was - Niccol Forteguerri, a Cardinal and diplomat in Pistoia born in 1419. He earned his degree in canon law at the University of Bologna and went on to become an ecclesiastic. Antonio Forteguerri was a man...
- Pier-Lorenzo Forteguerri was mayor of Bologna. Francesco Forti was Captain under Enrico II, King of France. Nicolo Forteguerri was Governor of the province of Viterbo and became Bishop of Teano, and C...
 Forti migration to the United States | + |
A look at the immigration and passenger lists has shown a number of people bearing the name Forti:
Forti Settlers in United States in the 20th Century- Sabatino Forti, aged 21, originally from Torricella, Italy, who arrived in New York in 1920 aboard the ship "Caronia" from Cherbourg, France 1
- Teresa Forti, aged 29, originally from S. Fratello, Sicily, who arrived in New York in 1920 aboard the ship "Patria" from Palermo, Italy 1
- Agostino Forti, aged 25, originally from Bivona, Sicily, who arrived in New York in 1920 aboard the ship "Giuseppe Verdi" from Palermo, Italy 1
- Nicola Forti, aged 26, who arrived in New York in 1920 aboard the ship "Mongibello" from Palermo, Italy 1
- Splendora Forti, aged 36, originally from Mosciano, S. Angelo, Italy, who arrived in New York in 1921 aboard the ship "Guglielmo Pierce" from Naples, Italy 1
| Contemporary Notables of the name Forti (post 1700) | + |
- Simone Forti (b. 1935), Italian American Postmodern artist, dancer, choreographer, and writer
- Carl Forti (b. 1972), American Republican Party strategist
- Guido Forti (1940-2013), Italian founder and team manager of the former Formula One team Forti
- Giuseppe Forti (1939-2007), Italian astronomer who worked at Harvard's Radio Meteor Project and later at the Arcetri Observatory, in Florence, Italy
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Forti migration to the United States 
