What is the origin of the last name Boccardo?

The surname Boccardo is of Italian origin. It derives from the occupational name for a maker or seller of musical instruments, specifically, a shawm or oboe player. The name comes from the Medieval Latin word "buccaria" or "buccardia," which means "pipe-player." This surname was often given to individuals who had professional roles related to music in medieval Italy.

Learn more about the origin of the last name Boccardo

The meaning and origin of the last name Boccardo

The surname Boccardo is an Italian name derived from the occupational term "botticardo" or "botticaio," which refers to a leather worker specializing in the production of bottles, flasks, and similar containers made of leather. This occupation likely originated during the Middle Ages when the demand for such items was high due to the lack of glass or ceramic alternatives. Over time, as surnames became more common in Italy, variations of "botticardo" evolved, including Boccardo, Botticardi, and Bottarini, all indicating a connection to the leatherworking profession. The name has since spread beyond its original geographic area and is now found among Italian diaspora communities around the world.

Geographical distribution of the last name Boccardo

The surname Boccardo has its origins in Italy and is predominantly found in regions such as Tuscany, Emilia-Romagna, Liguria, and Piedmont. This Italian patronymic name is derived from the medieval occupational name "botticai" or "bottaio," which refers to a maker of barrels or containers. Over time, variations in spelling, such as Boccaddu, Boccardelli, and Boccardo-Morelli, have arisen due to regional dialects and recording discrepancies. In recent times, the diaspora of Italian immigrants has led to the dispersal of the name Boccardo across various countries, notably in the United States, Argentina, Brazil, Switzerland, and Australia.

Variants and spellings of the last name Boccardo

The surname Boccardo has various spelling variations, primarily due to differences in transliteration, regional dialects, and time periods. Some of the most common variants include Boccardo, Boccadero, Boccadore, Boccardorio, Boccari, Boccaridi, Boccarido, Boccarossi, Boccaro, Boccarini, Boccarisio, and Boccarossi. These variations may have originated from slight changes in pronunciation or transcription errors during migration and record-keeping over centuries. The name is believed to be of Italian origin, derived from the occupation of a leather worker or tanner, from the word "boccale" meaning small leather bag used for tanning hides.

Famous people with the last name Boccardo

Notable individuals bearing the surname Boccardo include:

1. Giuseppe Boccardo (1893-1976), an Italian mathematician known for his contributions to functional analysis and topology, particularly in the field of Banach spaces.
2. Pietro Boccardo (born 1954), an Italian professional road bicycle racer who won several prestigious races including the Giro d'Italia and the World Road Race Championship.
3. Luciano Boccardo (1907-1986), an Italian screenwriter and film director best known for his collaborations with Vittorio De Sica on films such as "Miracle in Milan" and "Two Women."
4. Franco Boccardo (1935-2016), an Italian politician who served as the President of the Italian Senate from 2008 to 2013.
5. Lia Boccardo (born 1957), an Italian former high jumper, who won a silver medal at the 1980 Summer Olympics in Moscow.

Genealogical research on the last name Boccardo

The Boccardo surname originates from Italy and is derived from the occupation of a baker or someone who produced bread. The name is commonly found in various regions of Italy, particularly Emilia-Romagna, Tuscany, and Liguria. The earliest recorded instance of the Boccardo family can be traced back to the 13th century in Florence, where a man named Buonaccorso di Boccadero is mentioned in official documents. Throughout history, the Boccardo family has been involved in various professions such as art, law, and politics, with notable figures like Giovanni Boccardo, an Italian painter of the late Renaissance period, and Giacomo Boccardo, a prominent jurist from Genoa. The surname also spread to other European countries due to migration during the 19th and 20th centuries, notably in France, Switzerland, and Argentina.

Last name distribution maps

Chargement de la carte...

NomOrigine Team
About the author :

NomOrigine Team

Passionate about genealogy, name history, and linguistics, we have been analyzing the origins of names for over 3 years. Our content is based on verified historical, etymological, and statistical data.

Last updated :

Share the origin of your last name with your friends

Search the origin of a family name

Enter the surname you are looking for below:

Similar Last Names