Cataldi History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
Italy
Spain

From the ancient and picturesque Italian region of Venice emerged a variety of distinguished names, including the notable surname Cataldi. 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 traditional type of family name found in the region of Venice 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 Cataldi family lived in Bologna, where a member of the Catalano family was a military Commander in 1200.

Early Origins of the Cataldi family

The surname Cataldi was first found in Bologna (Latin: Bononia), where a member of the Catalano family was a military commander in 1200. One of the earliest records of the family was Jordanus Catalani (fl. c. 1321-1330), French Dominican missionary and explorer in Asia known for his Mirabilia describing the marvels of the East. He was the first bishop of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Quilon, the first Catholic diocese in India.

Early History of the Cataldi family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Cataldi research. The years 1548, 1550, 1560, 1588, 1596, 1626, 1630, 1666, 1698, 1750, 1764, 1779, 1780 and 1809 are included under the topic Early Cataldi History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Cataldi 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 Cataldi include Catalano, Catalani, Catalàn, Catelani, Catalanotto and many more.

Early Notables of the Cataldi family

Prominent among members of the family was

Pietro Antonio Cataldi (1548-1626) was an Italian mathematician from Bologna. He taught mathematics and astronomy and also worked on military problems. His work included the development of continued f...

Cataldi migration to the United States +

A look at the immigration and passenger lists has shown a number of people bearing the name Cataldi:

Cataldi Settlers in United States in the 20th Century

Agostino Cataldi, aged 22, who landed in America from Norcia, Italy, in 1909
Angelo Cataldi, aged 21, who settled in America from Tuglia, Italy, in 1909
Alessandro Cataldi, aged 20, who settled in America from Crioiadeichorti, Italy, in 1910
Antonio Cataldi, aged 41, who landed in America from Alatri, Italy, in 1910
Assunta Cataldi, aged 12, who settled in America from Palermo, Sicily, in 1911
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Contemporary Notables of the name Cataldi (post 1700) +

Angelo Cataldi (b. 1951), American sports radio personality for 94 WIP-FM (simulcast on 610 WTEL) in Philadelphia
Marianna Cataldi (b. 1976), Italian singer-songwriter and composer
Danilo Cataldi (b. 1994), Italian professional footballer who plays as a midfielder for Serie A club Lazio
Annaclara Cataldi Palau, Italian palaeographer specialising in Greek mediaeval and Renaissance palaeography and history of the book
Anna Margherita Cataldi (1939-2021), Italian humanitarian, journalist, film producer, and author of several books
Renato Cataldi (1909-1981), Brazilian painter who is catalogued in the Julius Louzada's Dictionary of Arts, and won several awards from the annual Salon organised by Escola Nacional de Belas Artes
Lee Cataldi (b. 1942), contemporary Australian poet and linguist, born in Sydney