Test History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
Italy

Early Origins of the Test family

The surname Test was first found in Italy. Bearers of Test have been found in almost every part of Italy, but in Emilia-Romagna and Tuscany in particular. The spelling variations of the name which end in "i" are mostly from the north, while those that end in "o" are mostly from the south. The name comes from the Old French word "teste," meaning "head." The name probably began as a nickname for someone with an unusually large or oddly-shaped head. There are many compound names similar to this name, such as "Testagrossa," meaning "big head."

Early History of the Test family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Test research. Another 59 words (4 lines of text) covering the years 1611 and 1650 are included under the topic Early Test History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Test Spelling Variations

Spelling variations of this family name include: Testa, Testi, Testini, Testino, Testoni, Testone, Testai, Testaj, Testani, Testabruna, Testadiferro, Testagrossa, Testaquadra and many more.

Early Notables of the Test family

Prominent among members of the family was

Pietro Testa (1611-1650), an Italian High Baroque artist

Test migration to the United States +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Test Settlers in United States in the 17th Century

John Test, who arrived in New Jersey in 1675 1

Test Settlers in United States in the 18th Century

Georg Test, who landed in Pennsylvania in 1737 1

Contemporary Notables of the name Test (post 1700) +

Charles Test Prescott (1884-1961), American Republican politician, Merchant; Lumber business; Real estate broker; Rancher; Cattle breeder; Member of Michigan State Senate 28th District, 1947-61; Died in office 1961; Delegate to Republican National Convention from Michigan, 1952

Citations +

Filby, P. William, Meyer, Mary K., Passenger and immigration lists index : a guide to published arrival records of about 500,000 passengers who came to the United States and Canada in the seventeenth, eighteenth, and nineteenth centuries. 1982-1985 Cumulated Supplements in Four Volumes Detroit, Mich. : Gale Research Co., 1985, Print (ISBN 0-8103-1795-8)