| ![Show Contents]() Russian History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms
- Origins Available:
 Italy The name Russian is derived from the Italian word "Rosso," which comes from the Latin words "Rubius and Rossius," which mean "red." As a surname, Russian was originally a nickname for a person with red hair or a reddish complexion. Nickname surnames usually reflected the physical characteristics or attributes of the first person that used the name. Although the most common type of family name found in Tuscany is the patronymic surname, which is derived from the father's given name, the nickname type of surname is also frequently found. Early Origins of the Russian familyThe surname Russian was first found in the cites of Trento, Udine, Vicenza, Venice, Savigliano, Pisa, Ravenna, and Rome. Some of the family migrated as far south as Sicily. This southern branch of the family descended from Count Ugone Rosso of Sicily, whose ancestors were Normans. Early History of the Russian familyThis web page shows only a small excerpt of our Russian research. Another 30 words (2 lines of text) covering the years 1176, 1197, 1204, 1325, 1439, 1507, 1564, 1602, 1656, 1659, 1715 and 1783 are included under the topic Early Russian History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Russian Spelling VariationsSurnames that originated in Italy are characterized by an enormous number of spelling variations. Some of these are derived from regional traditions and dialects. Northern names, for instance, often end in "o", while southern names tend to end in "i". Other variations come from the fact the medieval scribes tended to spell according to the sound of words, rather than any particular set of rules. The recorded variations of Russian include Rosso, Rossa, Rossi, Del Rosso, De Rossi, De Russi, Lo Russo, Lorusso, La Russa, Larussa, Rosselli, Rossello, Rossellini, Ruggiu, Ruiu, Ruju, Rubiu, Rossillo, Rossetto, Rossit, Rossini, Rossitti, Rossitto, Rossotto, Russotti, Russello, Russetti, Russino, Russiani, Rossoni, Rossetti, Roussini, Rosselino, Rossato, Della Rossa, DeRossi, De Rubeis, Russo and many more. Early Notables of the Russian familyProminent among members of the family was Jacoppi Rossi in 1176, Gherardo Rossi in 1197 and Beringhieri Rossi in 1204; in 1325, Fidello del Rosso was prior at St. Piero; Giambattista Rossi vicar of Ordine in 1564; Lorenzo Rossi, professor of philosophy at the University of Ferrara in the 17th century; Cosimo Rosselli (1439-1507), an Italian painter of the Quattrocento, active mainly in his birthplace of Florence; Michelangelo Rossi (Michel Angelo del Violino) (ca. 1602-1656), an important Italian composer, violinist and organist...
Another 81 words (6 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Russian Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Migration of the Russian familyIn the immigration and passenger lists were a number of people bearing the name Russian Armando Rossi, who sailed to New York in 1884; Catharine Rossi, who arrived in New York in 1844; and Theodore Rossi who arrived in New York in 1852. Others sailed to Pennsylvania, including Giovanni Rossi arrived in 1896.
| Contemporary Notables of the name Russian (post 1700) | + |
- Anthony Russian, American politician, Burgess of Minersville, Pennsylvania, 1955-60 1
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