Fantus 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 Fantus. 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 Fantus 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 Fantus family

The surname Fantus 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 Fantus family

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

Fantus Spelling Variations

Italian surnames come in far more variations than the names of most other nationalities. Regional traditions and dialects are a decisive factor in this characteristic. For example, northern names tend to end in "o", while southern in "i". Also important, but not unique to Italy, was the fact that before dictionaries and the printing press most scribes simply spelled words according to their sounds. The predictable result was an enormous number of spelling variations. The recorded spellings of Fantus 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 Fantus 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 Fantus Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Fantus family

Amongst the settlers in North America with this distinguished name Fantus were Adelino Fanti, aged 25, who arrived at Ellis Island from Pistoria, Italy in 1914; Albino Fanti, aged 30, who arrived at Ellis Island from Valpago Treviso in 1906.

Contemporary Notables of the name Fantus (post 1700) +

Bernard Fantus (1874-1940), Hungarian-born, American physician who established the first hospital blood bank in the United States in 1937