Compagni History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
Italy

From the historical and fascinating Italian region of Venice emerged a multitude of noble families, including the distinguished Compagni family. Although people were originally known only by a single name, it became necessary for people to adapt 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 common type of family name found in the region of Venice is the patronymic surname, which is derived from the father's given name, the nickname type of surname is also frequently found. Nickname surnames were derived from an eke-name, or added name. They usually reflected the physical characteristics or attributes of the first person that used the name. The surname Compagni came from a friendly person, who was renowned for his generosity towards others. The surname is derived from the Italian word Compagni which literally means he who shares the bread with.

Early Origins of the Compagni family

The surname Compagni was first found in Padua (Italian: Padova, Latin: Patavium, Venetian: Padoa), on the Bacchiglione River, capital of the province of Padua, where members of the Compagno family were officially recognized as nobility of the city in 1081,

Early History of the Compagni family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Compagni research. The years 1550 and 1650 are included under the topic Early Compagni History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Compagni Spelling Variations

Surnames 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 Compagni include Compagni, Compagno, Compagna, Compagnini, Compagnino, Compagnoni, Compagnone and many more.

Early Notables of the Compagni family

Prominent among members of the family was

Dino Compagni, a famous Florentine poet of the 13th century who worked with authors such as Dante, Guinizelli, and Cavalcanti. Also notable was Sebastiano Compagni, born in Ferrara in the 15th century...
Raimondo Compagnini was a prominent architect in Bologna during the early 18th century

Compagni migration to the United States +

Research into the origins of individual families in North America has revealed records of the immigration of a number of people bearing the name Compagni or a variant listed above:

Compagni Settlers in United States in the 20th Century

Adolfo Compagni, aged 24, who landed in America from Stoutofionico, Italy, in 1907
Crocifissa Compagni, aged 55, who immigrated to the United States from Valguarnera, Sicily, in 1909
Mattia Compagni, aged 27, who landed in America from Teorninpatte, Italy, in 1909
Evaristo Compagni, aged 21, who settled in America from Montefiorino, Italy, in 1910
Giuseppe Compagni, aged 29, who immigrated to the United States from Lipari, Messina, in 1912
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)