Marchesana History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

• Origins Available:
• Italy

Etymology of Marchesana

From the historical and fascinating Italian region of Venice emerged a multitude of noble families, including the distinguished Marchesana 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 Marchesana came from a feudal lord. The surname Marchesi is derived from the medieval Latin word marca, which means the territory over which feudal lords reigned. At the end of the Middle Ages, the word marchese became a nobiliary title as Count or duke. The nickname marchese was later given also to people who worked for a marquis or were part of his routine. Also, people who played the role of a marquis in pageants and festivals could afterward acquire the nickname of marchese.

Early Origins of the Marchesana family

Early History of the Marchesana family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Marchesana research. Another 24 words (2 lines of text) covering the years 1475, 1494 and 1848 are included under the topic Early Marchesana History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Marchesana 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 Marchesana. These spelling variations include Marchesi, Marchese, Marchesich, Marchesini, Marcheselli, Marchesin, Marchesana, Marchisio, Marchesotti and many more.

Early Notables of the Marchesana family

• Girolamo Marchesi, a painter during the 15th century. One of his most famous works lies in the Brera Gallery in Milan and is entitled "Madonna in Glory and Saints." Giacomo Marchesana was a Knight and...

Migration of the Marchesana family

Marchesanas were some of the first of the immigrants to arrive in North America: Agostino Marchese, aged 11, who arrived at Ellis Island from Palermo, Sicily, in 1922; Alessandro Marchese, aged 7, who arrived at Ellis Island from Castall Alfero, Italy, in 1910.