Fortini 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 Fortini. 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 Fortini 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 Fortini family

The surname Fortini 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 Fortini family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Fortini research. The years 1419, 1465, 1508, 1590 and 1759 are included under the topic Early Fortini History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Fortini 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 Fortini include Forti, Forte, Fort, Fortis, Lo Forte, Fortezza, Fortiboni, Fortini, Fortino, Fortin, Forteguerri and many more.

Early Notables of the Fortini family

Prominent 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...

Fortini migration to the United States +

A look at the immigration and passenger lists has shown a number of people bearing the name Fortini:

Fortini Settlers in United States in the 20th Century

Amintore Fortini, aged 30, who landed in America from Alberone, Italy, in 1904
Angelo Fortini, aged 28, who settled in America from Veroli, Roma, Italy, in 1906
Arcangelo Fortini, aged 27, who landed in America from Letino, Italy, in 1908
Anelo Fortini, aged 17, who immigrated to the United States from Rionero, Italy, in 1909
Adriani Fortini, aged 23, who landed in America from Petronia, Italy, in 1910
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Contemporary Notables of the name Fortini (post 1700) +

Romana Fortini, Italian assistant editor, known for Danger: Diabolik (1968), Planet of the Vampires (1965) and Kill, Baby... Kill! (1966)
Iolanda Fortini, Italian actress, known for White Collar Blues (1975) and Lauta mancia (1957)
Riccardo Fortini (1957-2009), Italian high jumper who competed at the 1976 Summer Olympics
Franco Fortini (1917-1994), pseudonym of Franco Lattes, an Italian poet, writer, translator, essayist, literary critic and Marxist intellectual