Last Name D'Ambrosio

The surname D'Ambrosio has Italian origins and is derived from the given name Ambrogio, which is the Italian form of the Latin name Ambrosius. This name is rooted in early Christian history, as it was a name given to saints who were associated with Saint Ambrose, a bishop known for his writings and his role in shaping Western Christianity in the 4th century. Over time, as families took on surnames for identification purposes, those with the given name Ambrogio became known as D'Ambrosio, which means "of Ambrogio" in Italian. The 'd' in this case indicates descent from the named ancestor.

Learn more about the origin of the last name D'Ambrosio

The meaning and origin of the last name D'Ambrosio

The surname D'Ambrosio is an Italian patronymic name derived from the given name Ambrogio, which means "immortal" or "everlasting" in Latin. The name Ambrogio was popular among early Christians and originated from Saint Ambrose, a bishop of Milan, who is venerated as a doctor of the Church. As a surname, D'Ambrosio likely emerged during the Middle Ages when the use of hereditary family names became more prevalent in Europe. The "d'" prefix, known as a definite article, is often added to Italian surnames that originate from a given name starting with a vowel to distinguish them from feminine names and to indicate noble or aristocratic origin. Today, D'Ambrosio is a common surname in Italy and can be found among the Italian diaspora worldwide.

Geographical distribution of the last name D'Ambrosio

The last name D'Ambrosio is primarily concentrated in Southern Italy, particularly in the regions of Campania, Apulia, and Calabria, where it is among the most common surnames. This name is also found in Sicily, another Italian region with a rich history and unique culture. Beyond Italy, significant numbers of people with the last name D'Ambrosio can be found in Argentina, Uruguay, and Brazil, reflecting the large-scale Italian immigration to those countries during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Smaller populations reside in other parts of the world, such as the United States, Canada, Australia, and Spain, as a result of subsequent waves of migration from Italy. The name D'Ambrosio is also present in France, primarily among the French-Italian community, and in Malta, where it may have origins dating back to the Knights Hospitaller period.

Variants and spellings of the last name D'Ambrosio

The surname D'Ambrosio is predominantly Italian in origin and has several variations and spellings. These include Ambrosio, d'Ambrosi, Ambroschio, Ambroschi, Ambrosio da, Ambrosi da, Dambrosio, Dambrochio, Ambrósio, Ambróschio, and Ambrossi, among others. Each regional dialect in Italy may have its own unique spelling of the name due to variations in pronunciation and orthography. In some cases, the use of a prefix such as di or da may be present, indicating that the family originated from a specific place. The surname D'Ambrosio is derived from Ambrogio, an Italian given name meaning "immortal," which comes from the Latin "immortalis." It is associated with St. Ambrose (c. 340 – 397), Bishop of Milan, a significant figure in early Christian history who was known for his contributions to theology and hymnography.

Famous people with the last name D'Ambrosio

Notable individuals bearing the surname D'Ambrosio include:

1. Fabrizio D'Ambrosio, an Italian opera singer who is renowned for his baritone voice and has performed at some of the world's most prestigious opera houses.

2. Gennaro D'Ambrosio, a retired professional footballer who played as a defender and represented Italy in international competitions, including the 2006 FIFA World Cup.

3. Laura D'Ambrosio, an American actress and former beauty queen who won Miss Teen USA 1987. She has appeared in various films and TV shows throughout her career.

4. Marco D'Ambrosio, a Canadian ice hockey player who played as a defenceman in the National Hockey League (NHL). He was selected by the New York Rangers in the 2004 NHL Entry Draft.

5. Simona D'Ambrosio, an Italian television presenter and former beauty queen who won Miss Italy 1996 and represented her country at the Miss Universe pageant. She has worked for various TV networks in Italy and hosted popular shows.

Genealogical research on the last name D'Ambrosio

The surname D'Ambrosio is of Italian origin, derived from the given name Ambrogio, which means "immortal" or "ever-living" in Latin. This patronymic name spread throughout Italy during the Middle Ages, particularly in regions such as Lombardy and Apulia. The family's roots can be traced back to the medieval town of Ambrosiano, in the province of Varese, Lombardy, where the first recorded bearer of the surname, Giovanni D'Ambrosio, lived around the 12th century. From there, branches of the family migrated to other parts of Italy and abroad, notably to Sicily, Malta, France, Spain, Argentina, Brazil, and the United States. Notable figures with the surname include Giuseppe D'Ambrosio, an Italian painter active in the Baroque period, and Stefano D'Ambrosio, a contemporary Italian architect. The D'Ambrosio family has maintained its distinctive identity through various historical periods and continues to be found across the globe today.

Last name distribution maps

Sources & References

• INSEE statistics on the surname "D'Ambrosio"
• 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 : 13 June 2025

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