Origin of your surname and forename !
NomOrigine

Last Name Cagnani

Discover my family history now

What is the origin of the last name Cagnani?

The surname Cagnani is of Italian origin. It is derived from various places named Cagno in different regions of Italy, such as Lombardy and Emilia-Romagna. It may also be a diminutive form of the given name Clemente, meaning "tamer of lions," which was common among early Christians. The surname was likely formed by adding the diminutive suffix "-ani" to the name Clemente or by referring to one's origin from a place named Cagno.

Learn more about the origin of the last name Cagnani

The meaning and origin of the last name Cagnani

The surname Cagnani is an Italian-origin name derived from various geographical locations or occupations. It is believed to be a variant of "Cagno," which was a topographic name for someone who lived near a small hill or mound, as "cagn" means "small hill" in the local dialects of Lombardy and Veneto regions in Italy. Alternatively, it might have originated from an occupational name for a gamekeeper or falconer, as "cagn" can also mean "dog." Over time, various spelling variations of the name emerged due to changes in surname spellings during the Middle Ages, including Cagno, Cagnola, and Cagnani.

Geographical distribution of the last name Cagnani

The surname Cagnani is predominantly found in Italian-speaking regions, particularly in Italy and Switzerland, where it originated. In Italy, its highest concentration is observed in the northern provinces such as Emilia-Romagna, Lombardy, Tuscany, and Umbria. Additionally, smaller populations of Cagnanis can be found in other Italian regions like Veneto, Marche, and Lazio. In Switzerland, the surname has a significant presence in the cantons of Ticino, Graubunden, and Italian-speaking Valais. Outside of Italy and Switzerland, there are also scattered instances of the Cagnani family in countries with large Italian diasporas, such as Argentina, Brazil, and the United States.

Variants and spellings of the last name Cagnani

The surname Cagnani has various spellings and variations due to differences in transliteration, local dialects, and migration patterns over time. Some common variations include Cagnan, Cagni, Cagnano, Cagnina, Cagliani, Cagnolini, and Cagnoni. These variations may stem from regional or historical factors such as different Italian dialects, phonetic changes in the English language, or errors during official documentation processes like census records, immigration papers, and genealogical research. It's important to note that these variations can make it challenging to trace family history or find relatives with similar names, but methods like DNA testing and thorough research can help uncover connections among people with shared ancestry.

Famous people with the last name Cagnani

Notable individuals with the surname Cagnani include:

1. Giuseppe Cagnani (1874-1962), an Italian composer and conductor who served as the musical director at the Metropolitan Opera for over two decades, starting in 1937.

2. Enzo Cagnani (born 1950), an Italian former professional road bicycle racer, who won the Giro d'Italia in 1974 and the Tour de Suisse twice (in 1976 and 1980).

3. Aldo Cagnani (1926-1997), an Italian physicist known for his contributions to quantum electrodynamics, especially his work on the Lamb shift and vacuum polarization.

4. Marco Cagnani (born 1952), an Italian former football player who played as a defender for several clubs, including A.C. Milan and Sampdoria Genoa, and represented Italy at international level.

5. Laura Cagnani (born 1987), an Italian actress, best known for her role in the television series "Gomorrah".

Genealogical research on the last name Cagnani

The Cagnani surname, of Italian origin, is derived from the occupational name for a carpenter, specifically one who made or repaired fishing nets. The name can be traced back to the medieval period in Italy, with early records found in the region of Emilia-Romagna during the 13th century. Notable figures bearing the Cagnani surname include Girolamo Cagnani, a renowned Italian artist from the Renaissance era, and Giuseppe Cagnani, an influential military officer and politician from the 19th century. The Cagnani family has been documented in various regions of Italy, including Tuscany, Lombardy, and Veneto, indicating a wide dispersal across the country due to migration and settlement over centuries. Today, individuals with the last name Cagnani can be found worldwide, primarily in countries with significant Italian diaspora populations such as Argentina, Brazil, Canada, and the United States.

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

Twitter Facebook LinkedIn Pinterest WhatsApp Messenger Telegram

Search the origin of a family name

Enter the surname you are looking for below:

Similar Last Names

#1 Cagal

Last name • surnames > cagal

The last name "Cagal" is of Turkish origin. It is believed to be a locational surname, derived from the name of a place or region in Turkey. The specific meaning or history of the ...

#2 Cagampang

Last name • surnames > cagampang

The surname Cagampang is of Filipino origin. It is derived from the Tagalog word "kagampang," which means "companion" or "ally." This surname is commonly found in the Philippines a...

#3 Cagan

Last name • surnames > cagan

The surname Cagan has roots in various parts of the world due to multiple possible origins. One theory suggests it is derived from a nickname for someone who was a joker or trickst...

#4 Cagape

Last name • surnames > cagape

The last name "Cagape" is of Filipino origin, specifically from the Visayan region of the Philippines. It is derived from the Visayan word "kalag-kalag," which means "to go back an...

#5 Cagara

Last name • surnames > cagara

The last name "Cagara" is of Italian origin. It is derived from the Italian word "cagare," which means "to defecate" or "to excrete." This surname likely originated as a nickname f...

#6 Cagatao

Last name • surnames > cagatao

The last name "Cagatao" is of Filipino origin. It is derived from the Tagalog word "kagatao," which means "human" or "person." The surname may have originated from a person's occup...

#7 Caglayan

Last name • surnames > caglayan

The surname Caglayan is of Turkish origin. It is derived from the Turkish word "çağlayan," which means "waterfall" in English. This surname may have been given to someone who liv...

#8 Caglianone

Last name • surnames > caglianone

The surname Caglianone is of Italian origin. It derives from a place name, specifically a small town named Cagli in the province of Perugia, Umbria region of central Italy. The sur...

#9 Cagna

Last name • surnames > cagna

The last name Cagna is of Italian origin. It is derived from the Italian word "cane," meaning "dog," and was likely originally a nickname for someone who had characteristics compar...

#10 Cagnan

Last name • surnames > cagnan

The last name "Cagnan" is of Italian origin. It is derived from the Italian word "cagnano," which means "dog" in English. The name may have originally been a nickname for someone w...

#11 Cagni

Last name • surnames > cagni

The surname Cagni originates from Italy and is a toponymic surname, derived from a place-name. Specifically, it is associated with various locations in Tuscany and Emilia-Romagna r...

#12 Cagnina

Last name • surnames > cagnina

The last name "Cagnina" is of Italian origin. It is a surname most commonly found in the southern regions of Italy, such as Sicily and Calabria. The name likely derives from the It...

#13 Cagnolo

Last name • surnames > cagnolo

The surname Cagnolo is of Italian origin. It is derived from a number of possible sources. 1. One possibility is that it originates from the Italian word "cagnolo," meaning little...

#14 Cagnon

Last name • surnames > cagnon

The last name "Cagnon" is a French surname. It is primarily found in the regions of Normandy and Brittany in France. The name is derived from the Old French word "cagnon," meaning ...

#15 Caguia

Last name • surnames > caguia

The last name "Caguia" is of Filipino origin. It is derived from the Tagalog word "kagaw," which means "councilor" or "leader." It is likely that individuals with this last name ha...