Grassini History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
Italy

From the historical and fascinating Italian region of Venice emerged a multitude of noble families, including the distinguished Grassini family. 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. Although the most common type of family name found in the region of Venice is the patronymic surname, which is derived from the father's given name, the nickname type of surname is also frequently found. Nickname surnames were derived from an eke-name, or added name. They usually reflected the physical characteristics or attributes of the first person that used the name. The surname Grassini came from a person who was corpulent or stout. The surname Grassi is derived from the word grasso, which means overweight.

Early Origins of the Grassini family

The surname Grassini was first found in the city of Milan, in the region of Lombardy

Early History of the Grassini family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Grassini research. The years 1418, 1459, 1481, 1520, 1570, 1571, 1773 and 1800 are included under the topic Early Grassini History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Grassini 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 Grassini include Grassi, Grasso, De Grassi, Degrassi, Lo Grasso, La Grassa, Grasselli, Grassellini, Grassaleoni, Grassilli, Grassigli, Grassetti, Grassini, Grassani and many more.

Early Notables of the Grassini family

Prominent among bearers of this family in early times was

Later members who share the Grassini heritage include Josephina Grassini, a contralto singer born in Varese in 1773. In 1800 Napoleon took her to Paris, where she remained in his court for 15 years before re...

Grassini migration to the United States +

Early immigration records have shown some of the first Grassinis to arrive on North American shores:

Grassini Settlers in United States in the 20th Century

Benjamin Grassini, aged 22, who landed in America from Italy, in 1908
Vincenzo Grassini, aged 26, who landed in America from U. S., in 1909
Gaetano Grassini, aged 38, who landed in America from Rolfetta, Italy, in 1911
Giuseppina Grassini, aged 26, who landed in America from Cora Piccilli, Italy, in 1911
Jenny Pansina Grassini, aged 23, who settled in America from Ponte Buggiano, Italy, in 1913
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Contemporary Notables of the name Grassini (post 1700) +

Giuseppina Maria Camilla Grassini (1773-1850), Italian contralto, and a singing teacher and one of Napoleon's lovers as well as lover to the Duke of Wellington