Show ContentsOrsatti History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The distinguished surname Orsatti originated in an area of Italy, known as the Papal States. 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. The most traditional type of family name found in the region of the Papal States 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 Orsatti came from the name Orso, which is derived from the Latin name Ursus, meaning bear.

Early Origins of the Orsatti family

The surname Orsatti was first found in Forli (Latin: Forum Livii), a comune and city in Emilia-Romagna, capital of the province of Forli-Cesena. The Church of S. Mercuriale is notable.

Castello Ursino (Bear Castle), also known as Castello Svevo di Catania, is a castle in Catania, Sicily, southern Italy that was built in the 13th century. Built between 1239 and 1250, it was one of the royal castles of Emperor Frederick II, King of Sicily. Over the years it had fallen into ruin but in 1932, the castle was acquired by the city of Catania and restored to its original grandeur.

Early History of the Orsatti family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Orsatti research. Another 93 words (7 lines of text) covering the years 1328, 1520, 1598, 1650, 1715 and 1725 are included under the topic Early Orsatti History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Orsatti Spelling Variations

Spelling variations of this family name include: Orsi, Orso, Ursi, Urso, Dorso, Ursich, Ursic, Orselli, Orsetti, Orsatti, Ursini, Ursino, Orsoni and many more.

Early Notables of the Orsatti family

Another 40 words (3 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Orsatti Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.


United States Orsatti migration to the United States +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Orsatti Settlers in United States in the 20th Century
  • Gerenna Orsatti, aged 58, who landed in America from Faro, Italy, in 1911
  • Ismaele Orsatti, aged 16, who immigrated to the United States from Para S. Martino, Italy, in 1913
  • Lina Orsatti, aged 7, who settled in America from Torre S. Maria, Italy, in 1913
  • Enrico Orsatti, aged 29, who settled in America from Silvi, Italy, in 1919
  • Arturo Orsatti, aged 26, who immigrated to America from Silvi Marina Teramo, Italy, in 1920
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Contemporary Notables of the name Orsatti (post 1700) +

  • Ken Orsatti (1932-2010), American director, National Executive Director of the Screen Actors Guild 1981 to 2000
  • Ernest Ralph Orsatti (1902-1968), American Major League Baseball player
  • Victor Orsatti (1905-1984), Hollywood talent agent and film producer
  • Andrew Orsatti (b. 1975), Australian sports presenter and football commentator


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