Last Name Cerbasi

The surname Cerbasi is believed to have Italian origins, specifically from the region of Emilia-Romagna and Lombardy. The name could be a variant of other Italian surnames such as Cerbelli, Cerbaro, or Cerbo. The roots of many Italian surnames can be traced back to occupations, geographical locations, or personal characteristics. In this case, it is unclear what specific origin the surname Cerbasi has, but it is generally agreed that it is an Italian name. It's important to note that the exact origins of Italian surnames are often complex and may require further research to fully understand their historical context and development over time.

Learn more about the origin of the last name Cerbasi

The meaning and origin of the last name Cerbasi

The surname Cerbasi is an Italian patronymic name derived from a personal name. It originated as a diminutive form of the given name "Cerbo," which was itself a shortened version of the ancient Roman name "Cerbonius." This name is believed to be derived from the Latin word "cerbus," meaning "wolf" or "werewolf." The use of the diminutive "-o" suffix in Cerbo created the variant Cerboio, and later, the Italian surname Cerbasi. Over time, the spelling has been subject to variations due to regional dialects and scribal errors, resulting in different forms such as Cervasi, Cirbassi, and others. The name is most prevalent in Italy, particularly in regions such as Emilia-Romagna and Tuscany.

Geographical distribution of the last name Cerbasi

The surname Cerbasi is predominantly found in Italy, particularly in the northern regions such as Piedmont and Lombardy. According to genealogical databases, it originates from the city of Biella in Piedmont. Over time, the family name has spread due to migration, with significant populations also found in Argentina, Switzerland, Brazil, and Uruguay, where Italian immigrants settled during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. In the United States, notable concentrations of Cerbasis are found in New York, California, and Florida, primarily in urban areas with large Italian-American communities.

Variants and spellings of the last name Cerbasi

The surname Cerbasi can be found with various spelling variations due to differences in transliteration, regional dialects, and over time. Some of these variations include: Cerbassi, Cerbaso, Cerbassi-Ferri, Cerbasso, and Zerbassi. These variants may arise as a result of factors such as changes in spelling conventions over time, errors during the transcription process, or regional dialects affecting pronunciation. In some cases, additional surname components, like Ferri or Zerba, can be attached to Cerbasi to create compound surnames. Regardless of the specific spelling, all these variations likely originated from the same root name, which is a common Italian surname derived from occupations related to metallurgy or blacksmithing.

Famous people with the last name Cerbasi

Among the notable individuals with the surname Cerbasi are:

1. Giuseppe Cerbasi (born 1943), an Italian theoretical physicist who has made significant contributions to string theory and quantum gravity. He is currently a professor at Sapienza University of Rome.

2. Giulia Cerbasi (born 1980), an Italian former professional tennis player. She reached a career-high singles ranking of world No. 51 in 2003, and won six singles titles on the WTA Tour during her career.

3. Luigi Cerbasi (1907–1986), an Italian prelate of the Roman Catholic Church who served as the Archbishop of Florence from 1953 until his death in 1986. He was created a cardinal in 1960 by Pope John XXIII.

4. Silvio Cerbasi (born 1942), an Italian journalist, writer and political commentator. He has worked for several major Italian newspapers including La Stampa and Corriere della Sera.

5. Stefano Cerbasi (born 1967), an Italian biologist who is currently the Director of the European Molecular Biology Laboratory's European Bioinformatics Institute (EMBL-EBI). He has made significant contributions to the field of bioinformatics.

Genealogical research on the last name Cerbasi

The Cerbasi surname is primarily of Italian origin and is believed to have roots in the Emilia-Romagna region, specifically Modena province. Historical records indicate that it may derive from various places named "Cerba" or "Cerbai," such as Cerbara in the province of L'Aquila, Abruzzo, and Cerbaie di Serravalle, a frazione (hamlet) of Serravalle Pistoiese, Tuscany. The name is also linked to occupations like cerbotto, meaning "charcoal burner," or cerbario, referring to a charcoal merchant. Notable figures with the Cerbasi surname include Giovanni Cerbasi, an Italian physician who was one of the first to describe a case of syphilis, and Alessandro Cerbasi, a composer and musician in the 17th century.

Last name distribution maps

Sources & References

• INSEE statistics on the surname "cerbasi"
• 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 : 26 July 2025

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