Negretti History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
Italy

From this historical and fascinating Italian region have emerged a multitude of noble families, including the distinguished Negretti family. Italian people were originally known only by a single name, but it became necessary to adopt a second name as populations grew and travel became more frequent. The surname Negretti is derived from the Italian word "negri" which means "black." It was most likely originally a nickname for someone with a dark complexion, perhaps for an immigrant from northern Africa.

Early Origins of the Negretti family

The surname Negretti 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. One of the first records of the name was Carlo Negri di Pietra Santa who was a Bishop of the city in 929. Ferrar, a city in Emilia Romagna is the capital of the province of Ferrara. Them city was at war with Venice in 1471. It is a walled city and notable is the Church of S.Cristoforo. Knitted goods and shawls are made. In those ancient times only persons of rank, the podesta, clergy, city officials, army officers, artists, landowners were entered into the records. To be recorded at this time was in itself a family honor.

Early History of the Negretti family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Negretti research. Another 82 words (6 lines of text) covering the years 1290, 1480, 1528, 1544, 1585, 1616, 1623, 1624, 1626, 1663, 1666, 1698 and 1882 are included under the topic Early Negretti History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Negretti 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 Negretti include Negri, Negro, Nigri, Nigris, Nigra, Negris, Negrelli, Negrotto, Negrello, Negroni and many more.

Early Notables of the Negretti family

Prominent among members of the family was

Iacopo Negretti was a Venetian painter who lived around 1544...
Jacopo Negretti (1480-1528) known as Palma Vecchio, was an Italian painter...

Migration of the Negretti family

A search of the immigration and passenger lists has shown a number of people bearing the name Negretti: Giovani Negro, who was naturalized in Wyoming in 1900; Addolorata Nigro, aged 28, who arrived at Ellis Island from Grottolella, Italy, in 1920; Agnese Nigro, aged 32, who arrived at Ellis Island from Bari, Italy, in 1921.

Contemporary Notables of the name Negretti (post 1700) +

Giovanna Negretti, American activist
Ettore Negretti (b. 1883), Italian professional footballer who played for Milan (1900-1902)
Henry Negretti (1818-1879), English co-founder of Negretti and Zambra in 1850 which produced scientific and optical instruments in London
Vionette Giovanna Negretti (b. 1947), Puerto Rican journalist and writer