Cottone Surname HistoryThe Cottone family can trace its noble origins to the Italian region of Sicily. 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 traditional type of family name found in the region of Sicily 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 Cottone (English: cotton) family originates in the northern end of the municipal territory of Scansano and Siena. This was home to the famous Maggi di Cotone dynasty who held the Castello di Cotone, the Castello di Montepò, the Castello di Colle Massari, the Castello di Vicarello and the Castello della Sabatina. Early Origins of the Cottone familyThe surname Cottone was first found in Sicily, especially in Palermo where it has at its base an original nickname or trade name formed from the Sicilian cuttuni "cotton." 1 At one time, they held the lordships of Cotone, Montorgiali and Matignato, and gave two grand masters of Malta, all before 1464. They resided in supreme magistratures. Another branch was originally from France, and transplanted to Messina where in the county of Bavuso, they had established a branch of the family in Palermo, adorned by Philip IV of the title of Prince of Castelnuovo in 1623. 2 The ruins of Castello di Cotone, a medieval settlement and castle in Scansano near Grosseto, Tuscany can still be seen today. Early History of the Cottone familyThis web page shows only a small excerpt of our Cottone research. Another 56 words (4 lines of text) covering the years 1623, 1756, 1812 and 1829 are included under the topic Early Cottone History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Cottone Spelling VariationsSpelling variations of this family name include: Cotone, Cottone and others. Early Notables of the Cottone familyProminent among bearers of this surname in early times was
Cottone RankingIn the United States, the name Cottone is the 18,755th most popular surname with an estimated 2,487 people with that name. 3
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