Last Name Cazzani

The surname Cazzani is an Italian patronymic surname derived from the given name Cassiano, a variant of the Latin name Cassianus, which was originally a Roman family name. The name Cassianus comes from "cassis," meaning a case or box, and was likely used as a nickname for someone who carried a small case or box with them, or in a metaphorical sense, someone who protected something or someone. The surname Cazzani emerged during the Middle Ages when Italy was under the influence of feudalism. Surnames were often derived from given names, occupations, geographical locations, or physical characteristics. The patronymic suffix "-i" (or "-iis," "-us," "-o") in this case indicates that Cazzani is a surname originally belonging to a son of someone named Cassiano. Over time, the spelling and pronunciation of names can vary due to factors such as regional dialects, transcription errors, and migration. The name Cazzani is one of several variations of the original name, including Cassiani, Cassiano, Cassian, and others.

Learn more about the origin of the last name Cazzani

The meaning and origin of the last name Cazzani

The surname Cazzani is of Italian origin, derived from various places with the same name in Italy. The name could be a topographic one, indicating a person who lived near an oak tree or a place named "cazzo" (oak) in dialect. Alternatively, it could be occupational, denoting a maker or seller of "cassoni," large wooden chests used for storage or transporting goods. The name's popularity spread among people who worked with woodcraft or resided near these places, and over time, became a hereditary surname in Italy.

Geographical distribution of the last name Cazzani

The surname Cazzani has its origins in Italy and is predominantly distributed within the country, particularly in regions such as Lombardy, Emilia-Romagna, and Veneto. It's a variant of the more common Italian surname Casali, which means "from the small village" or "small castle." The spread of Cazzani beyond Italy is minimal but can be found among the Italian diaspora communities in countries like Argentina, Brazil, Canada, and the United States. In these countries, the last name may appear with variations such as Casan, Casani, or Casano due to phonetic adaptations during migration.

Variants and spellings of the last name Cazzani

The surname Cazzani has several variations and spellings due to differences in transliteration, regional dialects, and historical transcriptions. Some common variants include:

1. Cazana
2. Casani
3. Casana
4. Cazzana
5. Caçan
6. Cacania
7. Cazanaia
8. Cazanio
9. Cazano
10. Kassiani
11. Cassani
12. Cacchiani
13. Casin
14. Cazzaniga
15. Cazzanelli
16. Cazzanigo
17. Cazzanis
18. Cazziolis
19. Cassano
20. Kassani (Greek adaptation)

These variations reflect the migration and assimilation of individuals bearing this surname over time, as well as changes in language and orthographic conventions.

Famous people with the last name Cazzani

Notable individuals with the surname Cazzani include:

1. Giuseppe Cazzani (1874-1963), an Italian sculptor who created various works for public spaces and churches in his native country. His most famous work is the "Monument to Vittorio Emanuele II" in Parma, Italy.

2. Giorgio Cazzani (b. 1940), an Italian journalist and author known for his extensive reporting on politics and international affairs. He has written several books on these topics and served as the editor of La Stampa, a major Italian newspaper.

3. Piero Cazzani (1895-1970), an Italian engineer who was one of the pioneers in the development of high-performance airplanes. He designed various aircraft during his career, including the C.202 Folgore and the G.55 Centauro.

4. Laura Cazzani (b. 1987), an Italian racing driver who has competed in several categories, such as the World Touring Car Championship and the Formula Renault 3.5 Series. She is the first woman to participate in a Formula One test session with a race team.

Genealogical research on the last name Cazzani

The surname Cazzani originates from Italy, specifically the region of Tuscany. It is a patronymic name derived from the given name 'Casiano', which means "from Cassianus" in Latin. The name Cassianus was popular among early Christians and was often given to individuals born during or after the 6th century. Over time, the surname Cazzani spread throughout Italy as families migrated and settled in various regions. Notable figures with this surname include Giuseppe Cazzani, an Italian painter from the Baroque period, and Carlo Cazzani, a prominent violinist of the Romantic era. The name is still common in Italy today.

Last name distribution maps

Sources & References

• INSEE statistics on the surname "cazzani"
• 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 : 30 July 2025

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