Last Name Bozz

The surname Bozz is of Italian origin. It is a diminutive form of the given name Bosco, which means "forest" or "wood" in Italian. This surname is most commonly found in northern Italy, particularly in regions such as Emilia-Romagna and Lombardy. Over time, it has been anglicized to various forms, including Boce, Bosch, and Boss.

Learn more about the origin of the last name Bozz

The meaning and origin of the last name Bozz

The surname Bozz is an Italian patronymic name derived from the given name Bosco, which means "forest" or "wood" in Italian. It is believed that the surname originated as a nickname for someone who lived near a forested area, had a distinctive physical feature resembling a tree or forest, or was associated with the profession of a woodcutter. The name may also have been given as a diminutive form of other Italian names containing the element bosco, such as Boschetto, Boschiero, and Boschetti.

The Bozz surname is primarily found in Italy, particularly in regions such as Veneto, Emilia-Romagna, and Lombardy, where it is estimated that there are several thousand individuals bearing this name. The distribution of the surname reflects the historical migration patterns of Italians, with many Italian immigrants settling in other parts of Europe and North America in the 19th and early 20th centuries. Today, the Bozz surname can be found around the world, particularly in countries with significant Italian populations such as the United States, Canada, Australia, and Argentina.

Geographical distribution of the last name Bozz

The surname Bozz is predominantly found in Italian-speaking regions, particularly in Northern Italy. Specifically, it is most concentrated in the Veneto region, where it is an occupational surname derived from the Italian word "bosco," meaning "wood" or "forest," likely indicating a profession related to forestry or woodworking. Smaller concentrations of people with the last name Bozz can also be found in other parts of Italy and abroad, particularly among Italian diaspora communities in countries such as the United States, Argentina, Brazil, Australia, and Canada.

Variants and spellings of the last name Bozz

The surname Bozz has several variations and spellings, primarily due to differences in transcription and translation over time. Some common spelling variants include Bosz, Bozz, Boz, Boss, Both, Botts, Bosse, Bose, and Bez. These variations can be found across various cultures, with Bozz being more common among people of Italian descent. Other regional variations might include Bos in Scandinavian countries or Bosch in Spanish-speaking regions. Additionally, there are also surnames that sound similar to Bozz but have different origins, such as Baas (Dutch) and Bossi (Italian). These similarities may lead to additional spelling variations when transposed into English.

Famous people with the last name Bozz

Notable individuals with the surname Bozzi include:

1. Loretta Bozzi (b. 1964), an Italian operatic soprano who has performed at major opera houses worldwide.
2. Tony Bozzuti-Jones (b. 1953), an American jazz guitarist, composer, and arranger known for his work with the fusion group Spyro Gyra.
3. Giuseppe Bozzi (1876-1940), an Italian physician who was one of the pioneers in the field of tropical medicine and parasitology.
4. Joe Bozzi (b. 1942), an American music executive, founder of the publishing company Boosey & Hawkes Music Publishing, and former CEO of Universal Music Group's PolyGram division.
5. Stefano Bozzi (b. 1986), an Italian footballer who currently plays for Serie A club Sampdoria as a defender.

Genealogical research on the last name Bozz

The surname Bozz originates from Italy and is commonly found in regions such as Veneto and Lombardy. Historically, it is believed to be an occupational name derived from the Italian word "bossa" which means wave or billow, suggesting that the original bearer may have been a fisherman or boat builder. Another theory suggests that the name could be a nickname for someone who was stout or round in body, from the Italian word "bosso". The earliest known record of the Bozz family dates back to the 14th century in Venice, Italy. Notable individuals with the surname include Antonio Bozzini (a musician and composer) and Giuseppe Bozzoli (an artist). The Bozz family migration patterns show that many members of the family emigrated from Italy to the United States during the late 19th and early 20th centuries, settling primarily in cities like New York, Philadelphia, and Chicago.

Last name distribution maps

Sources & References

• INSEE statistics on the surname "bozz"
• Global distribution of the surname on Forebears.io
• Wikipedia Article

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 : 31 July 2025

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