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Last Name Donadoni

What is the origin of the last name Donadoni?

The surname Donadoni is of Italian origin and derives from various places with that name in Italy. One possible origin is from a town called Donadona, located in the province of Piacenza. Another possibility is that it originates from the personal name Donato, which means "given by God," and was often used as a surname. The surname Donadoni can also be found among people of Lombard origin, where it may have been a nickname derived from the word dono, meaning gift or present.

Learn more about the origin of the last name Donadoni

The meaning and origin of the last name Donadoni

The surname Donadoni originates from Italy and is derived from the personal name "Donato," which means "given by God" in Latin. It is a common Italian surname, particularly found in regions such as Emilia-Romagna and Tuscany. The surname Donadoni was likely formed as an occupational name for someone who played the role of Saint Donatus during religious plays or as a nickname for a person with characteristics associated with the saint, such as generosity or kindness. Over time, it has been spelled variously, including Donadi, Donatone, and Donati, but Donadoni is one of the more common variants.

Geographical distribution of the last name Donadoni

The surname Donadoni is primarily distributed across Italy, with the highest concentrations found in regions such as Emilia-Romagna, Lombardy, and Tuscany. In Emilia-Romagna, particularly in the provinces of Parma, Piacenza, and Reggio Emilia, the name has a significant presence due to its historical association with the city of Parma. The Donadoni family originated from this city, where they held prominent political and military positions during the Middle Ages. Beyond Italy, the surname can also be found in smaller numbers in other European countries like France, Switzerland, and Spain, as well as in South America, particularly Argentina and Brazil, due to Italian immigration in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

Variants and spellings of the last name Donadoni

The surname Donadoni has multiple variants and spellings due to regional dialects and historical transcription errors. Some of these variations include Donadoni-Gattai, Donadio, Donnadoni, and Donaddonio. In Italian, the name Donadoni is derived from the personal name Donato, meaning "given by God." The variant Donadoine is a rare form found in France, while Donadoon is an anglicized version commonly used among Irish immigrants to Italy. Additionally, there are also forms with diacritics such as Donàdoni or Donàdoni, which may be used in regions where the Italian language preserves these marks.

Famous people with the last name Donadoni

Notable individuals bearing the surname Donadoni include:

1. Giuseppe Donadoni (born 1946), an Italian football manager and former player, known for his time at AC Milan and Fiorentina as both a player and a coach. He led Italy to victory in the 1982 FIFA World Cup, serving as assistant manager under Enzo Bearzot.

2. Andrea Donadoni (born 1963), an Italian politician who has served as mayor of Reggio Emilia since 2007 and was re-elected in 2012, 2017, and 2022. He is a member of the Democratic Party.

3. Mauro Donadoni (born 1965), an Italian former football player who spent most of his career at Juventus and Parma, playing as a midfielder. He won two UEFA Champions League titles with Juventus in 1985 and 1996.

4. Paolo Donadoni (born 1970), an Italian former professional footballer who played as a striker for clubs such as Sampdoria, Parma, and Reggina. He is the son of Giuseppe Donadoni.

Genealogical research on the last name Donadoni

The Donadoni surname originates from Italy and is most prevalent in the regions of Emilia-Romagna and Lombardy. It is believed to be a diminutive form of the personal name "Donato," which means "given" in Latin. The Donadoni family can trace their roots back to the 13th century, with some records suggesting that they originate from the town of Fontanellato in the province of Parma. Throughout history, members of the Donadoni family have held various roles within Italian society, including military personnel, artists, and politicians. Notable figures bearing the surname include Galeazzo Donadoni, a cardinal of the Roman Catholic Church, and Giancarlo Donadoni, a football manager who led the Italian national team to victory in the 1982 FIFA World Cup. Today, individuals with the Donadoni surname can be found around the world, reflecting their historical migration patterns as well as subsequent generations' adoptions of the name.

Last name distribution maps

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Sources & References

About the author :
NomOrigine Team
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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