Fantasia History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
Italy

Venice, one of the oldest and most beautiful island regions of Italy, is the esteemed birthplace of numerous prominent families, including the family that bears the surname Fantasia. 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 are characterized by a profusion of derivatives coined from given names. Although the most common type of family name found in Venice is the patronymic surname, which is derived from the father's given name, names derived from occupations are also found. Occupational surnames, which are less common than other types of surnames in Italy, date back to the feudal era. However, under the Feudal System, occupational names did not become hereditary until the offices themselves became hereditary. It was only after an occupation was inherited by several generations in lineal descent that occupational names came to be applied to entire families, and so became a hereditary surname. The surname Fantasia is a common occupational name for a person who was a "foot soldier." The earliest origins of this surname have been traced to Bologna, one of the more prosperous cities at this early time. The Fantuzzi family, who moved to the city in 1231, were immediately recognized as nobility and were given seats in the Senate.

Early Origins of the Fantasia family

The surname Fantasia was first found in Bologna (Latin: Bononia), one of the more prosperous cities at this early time. In 1231 the Fantuzzi family moved to the city and were immediately recognized as nobility and were given seats in the Senate.

Early History of the Fantasia family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Fantasia research. The years 1434, 1435, 1620, 1659, 1677, 1688, 1734 and 1759 are included under the topic Early Fantasia History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Fantasia Spelling Variations

Italian surnames have a surprising number of forms in comparison with other European surnames because they reflect the regional variations and the many dialects of the Italian language, each of which has its distinctive features. For example, in Northern Italy the most standard Italian surname suffix is "I", whereas in Southern Italy the most typical surname suffix is "O". Sardinian is very different from other forms of Italian and in fact, it is considered to be its own distinct language. Additionally, spelling changes frequently occurred because medieval scribes, church officials, and the bearers of names, spelled names as they sounded rather than according to any specific spelling rules. As a consequence of the major changes in the Italian language and in the local spellings of Italian surnames that occurred over the course of history, there are numerous variations for the surname Fantasia. These spelling variations include Fanti, Fante, Fant, Fancelli, Fanceto, Fanfani, Fancello, Fancella, Fancel, Del Fante, De Fant, Fantini, Fantino, Fantin, Fantinelli, Fantinato, Fantoli, Fantolini, Fantucci, Fantuzzi, Fantuzzo, Fantuz, Fantus, Fantocci, Fantozzi, Fantoni, Fanton, and Fantacci, Fantazzi and many more.

Early Notables of the Fantasia family

Prominent among members of the family was Francesco Fanti, mayor of Finale in 1434. In 1435, he assumed the position in Sassuolo. Sigismondo Fanti was an astronomer and famous writer from Ferrara. The Fantini family of Pinerolo owned the feuds of Baldissero, Tavernette, Oliva, and Ceretto for over 3 centuries. Of this family were Giovanni and Giacomo Fantini, both famous judges. Giorgio Fantini was a lawyer and was Chancellor for the Duke of...
Another 73 words (5 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Fantasia Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Fantasia migration to the United States +

The records on immigrants and ships' passengers show a number of people bearing the name Fantasia:

Fantasia Settlers in United States in the 20th Century

Donato Fantasia, aged 39, who immigrated to the United States from S. Mauro Forte, Italy, in 1908
Arturo Fantasia, aged 16, who landed in America from Cotrone, Italy, in 1910
Erasmo Fantasia, aged 23, who landed in America from Terracina, Italy, in 1912
Domenico Fantasia, aged 19, who immigrated to America from Conversano, Italy, in 1913
Alfredo Fantasia, aged 28, who landed in America from Raiano, Italy, in 1913
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Contemporary Notables of the name Fantasia (post 1700) +

Rick Fantasia, American Professor in the Social Sciences at Smith College
Orazio Fantasia (b. 1995), professional Australian rules footballer