Crespi History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
Italy
Spain

The distinguished surname Crespi can be traced back to the ancient and beautiful region of Piedmont. Although people were originally known only by a single name, it became necessary for people to adopt 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 were characterized by a profusion of derivatives coined from given names. The most common type of family name found in the region of Piedmont is the patronymic surname, which is derived from the father's given name. During the Middle Ages, Italians adopted the patronymic system of name-making because it perfectly complemented the prevailing Feudal System. In Italy the popularity of patronymic type of surname is also due to the fact that during the Christian era, people often named their children after saints and biblical figures. The surname Crespi came from the given name Crispo. The Italian name Crespi is derived from the Latin name Crispus, and from the adjective crispus, which means curly or wavy hair. The surname Crespi may also be of nickname origin, given to someone who had curly hair. The surname Crespi appears most frequently in the area near Naples and in eastern Sicily.

Early Origins of the Crespi family

The surname Crespi was first found in Northern Italy evolved from the place named Crespi d'Adda in Bergamo. One of the first references of the name was in the year 1130, when Ansaldo Crispini was a government councillor in Genoa.

Early History of the Crespi family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Crespi research. The years 1390, 1665, 1733, 1747 and 1798 are included under the topic Early Crespi History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Crespi Spelling Variations

In comparison with other European surnames, Italian surnames have a surprising number of forms. They reflect the regional variations and the many dialects of the Italian language, each with its own distinctive features. For example, in Northern Italy the typical Italian surname suffix is "i", whereas in Southern Italy it is "o". Additionally, spelling changes frequently occurred because medieval scribes and church officials often spelled names as they sounded rather than according to any specific spelling rules. The spelling variations in the name Crespi include Crespi, Crispi, Crispini, Crespini, Crespiani, Crespo, Crispo, Crespellani and many more.

Early Notables of the Crespi family

Prominent among members of the family was

Alberto Crespi a priest, born in Milan in 1390
Giovanni Battista Crespi, a painter in Novara in the late 16th century
Daniele Crespi of Milan, a well known artist during the 16th century, whose frescoes can be seen in the Certosa di Garegnano in Milan
Giuseppe Maria Crespi (1665-1747) a well known painter, draughtsman and printmaker in Bologna
Francesco Crespi, born in Padua in 1733, who dedicated his life to the church
Andrea Crespi, an 18th century a painter in Modena

Crespi migration to the United States +

Early North American records indicate many people bearing the name Crespi were among those contributors:

Crespi Settlers in United States in the 19th Century

Rosa Crespi, age 19, who arrived at New York on Nov. 17, 1882, aboard the "Labrador"
Gerolanno Crespi, age 16, who arrived at New York on April 11, 1887, aboard the "La Normandie"
Paolo Crespi, age 24, who arrived in America on Nov. 14, 1887, aboard the "La Bourgogne"

Crespi Settlers in United States in the 20th Century

Angelo Crespi, aged 24, who immigrated to the United States from Capriete, in 1901
Aldo Crespi, aged 23, who landed in America from Milan, Italy, in 1908
Biagio Crespi, aged 33, who settled in America from Castano Magnago, Italy, in 1911
Carolina Crespi, aged 19, who settled in America from Oleggio, Italy, in 1911
Chiara Crespi, aged 31, who landed in America from Turbigo, Italy, in 1911
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Contemporary Notables of the name Crespi (post 1700) +

Consuelo Pauline O'Brien O'Connor Crespi (1928-2010), American-born Italian countess
Daniele Crespi (1598-1630), Italian painter of the Baroque era
Cristoforo Benigno Crespi (1833-1920), Italian entrepreneur
Giuseppe Maria Crespi (1665-1747), Italian painter
Giovanni Battista Crespi (1557-1633), Italian painter/architect/sculptor
Rodolfo Crespi (1921-1980), Argentine film actor
Father Juan Crespí (1721-1782), Spanish missionary and explorer