NomOrigine Background

Last Name Fossati

What is the origin of the last name Fossati?

The surname Fossati is of Italian origin. It is derived from a place name or a nickname and refers to someone who was originally from or associated with a place named Fossato, which can be found in several regions of Italy such as Emilia-Romagna, Lombardy, and Veneto. The name Fossati could also have originated as an occupational surname for someone who worked as a mason, as "fossato" in Italian means "ditch" or "trench," referring to the ditches or trenches that were dug during construction work.

Unlock and discover the hidden secrets of the surname Fossati

Unlock the Secrets of Your Surname Now

For only 3.95 $, you get:

  • Full access for 7 days
  • Unlimited access to all name and surname profiles
  • High-quality Origin Certificate
  • Download: Keep a precious memory with your origins downloadable in PDF format.
  • Unlimited search
  • Ad-Free: Enjoy a smooth and uninterrupted user experience.
  • ✅ 15-Day Money-Back Satisfaction Guarantee!
Unlock the Secrets of Your Surname Now
🎁 Special offer today: 3.95 $ instead of 6.95 $
⏳ This exclusive offer expires in:

✅ 15-Day Money-Back Satisfaction Guarantee!

What our users say

“I discovered fascinating details about my family history. This service is amazing for tracing our roots!” - Jean D.

“This site strengthened our sense of family belonging by uncovering our origins. Highly recommended!” - Marie L.

“The information was detailed and accurate. I learned interesting facts about my ancestors. A must-have!” - Paul S.

✅ Join the 5,000+ people who have already discovered the fascinating history of their last name!

Discover my family history now

Frequently Asked Questions

Question: What will I discover by exploring my last name?
Answer: You will discover the geographical origin, etymology, and unique history of your last name. You can also explore family traditions and historical events connected to it.

Question: How long does it take to access the information?
Answer: Once your payment is confirmed, access is instant. You can start exploring right away.

Question: Are the details about my last name accurate?
Answer: Our data comes from extensive research in reliable archives and historical databases. While we cannot guarantee 100% accuracy, we strive to provide the most complete and precise information possible.

Payment Information

or pay by card

By clicking 'Confirm my payment', you agree to our refund policy, accessible via this link: Refund Policy, as well as our cancellation policy accessible via this link: Cancellation Policy

Learn more about the origin of the last name Fossati

The meaning and origin of the last name Fossati

The surname Fossati is an Italian name derived from a local place or occupational name. It originated from various places named "Fossato" or "Fosso" in Italy, which mean "ditch" or "foss" in Italian. Over time, the name evolved to Fossati as a result of spelling variations and phonetic changes. People bearing this surname were originally associated with these specific locations or had occupations related to digging and maintaining ditches or canals. The name is commonly found in northern Italy, particularly in regions like Lombardy and Emilia-Romagna.

Geographical distribution of the last name Fossati

The surname Fossati is predominantly found in Italy, particularly in regions such as Lombardy, Emilia-Romagna, and Tuscany. This is likely due to its origin from the Italian city of Bologna, where it was first recorded during the Middle Ages. Over time, the name has spread to other parts of Italy as families migrated. Outside of Italy, significant populations of Fossatis can be found in various countries with a strong Italian immigrant community, such as Argentina, Brazil, and Switzerland. Additionally, some Fossati descendants reside in North America, primarily in the United States and Canada, as a result of immigration waves during the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

Variants and spellings of the last name Fossati

The surname Fossati has several variations and spellings, primarily due to differences in transcription and translation over time. Some common variants include Fossatti, Fosati, Fossatty, Fossaty, Fossetti, Fossetty, Fossatiy, and Fossaty-Fossati. These variations may occur as a result of regional dialects, spelling reforms, or simply errors during record-keeping. It is also common for immigrants to anglicize their names upon arrival in countries like the United States, which could lead to additional variations such as Fossey or Fossa.

Famous people with the last name Fossati

Notable individuals bearing the surname Fossati include:

1. Alessandro Fossati (1819-1874), an Italian composer and conductor, known for his operas such as "I Lombardi" and "Gustavo III di Svezia."
2. Giuseppe Fossati (1835-1906), a Swiss architect who designed several notable buildings in Geneva, including the Grand Théâtre de Genève and the Hôtel de Ville.
3. Maria Teresa Fossati (b. 1960), an Italian astrophysicist known for her work on galaxy evolution and cosmology. She is a professor at the University of Padua and a member of the European Space Agency's Cosmic Vision Advisory Committee.
4. Federico Fossati (b. 1978), an Italian football referee who officiated in the UEFA Champions League, Europa League, and Serie A.
5. Giovanni Fossati (b. 1986), an Italian cross-country skier who competed at the Winter Olympics in 2010 and 2014.

These individuals have made significant contributions to various fields such as music, architecture, science, and sports.

Genealogical research on the last name Fossati

The Fossati surname is of Italian origin and is believed to have derived from various locations in Italy, including Milan, Bologna, and Treviso. Historically, it is associated with the noble families of Lombardy and Veneto regions. One of the earliest recorded instances of the name is Gherardo Fossati, who lived in Milan around 1200 A.D. The family's coat of arms features a white eagle on a red background, symbolizing courage and power. Throughout history, members of the Fossati family have held prominent positions in politics, military, and the church. Notable figures include Cardinal Angelo Maria Fossati, who served as the Archbishop of Milan from 1769 to 1785, and Antonio Fossati, a famous Venetian architect during the Renaissance period. The surname has since spread across the globe due to Italian immigration waves, particularly to South America, North America, and Australia.

Last name distribution maps

Chargement de la carte...

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 : 27 July 2025

Share the origin of your last name with your friends

Search the origin of a family name

Enter the surname you are looking for below:

Similar Last Names

Fosberry (Last name)

surnames > fosberry

The surname Fosberry is of English origin. It is believed to be a locational surname derived from the Old English word "fors," meaning waterfall, and "burh," meaning fortification ...

Foschia (Last name)

surnames > foschia

The surname "Foschia" is of Italian origin. It is believed to be a surname derived from a place name, indicating that the original bearer of the surname may have come from a town o...

Foschiani (Last name)

surnames > foschiani

The last name Foschiani is of Italian origin. It is derived from the given name Fosco, which means "dark" or "dusky" in Italian. The suffix "-iani" is a common suffix in Italian su...

Foschini (Last name)

surnames > foschini

The surname Foschini is believed to have Italian origins. It's derived from various places named Foschio or Fossa in Italy. In some cases, it may also be a variation of the more co...

Fosiul (Last name)

surnames > fosiul

The last name "Fosiul" is of Bengali origin, commonly found in Bangladesh. It is derived from the Bengali word "Fasi," which means "execution" or "gallows," suggesting a possible h...

Fossa (Last name)

surnames > fossa

The surname Fossa has roots in various regions and languages. It is an Italian and French surname that originates from topographical features. In Italian, "fossa" means a ditch or ...

Fossard (Last name)

surnames > fossard

The surname Fossard is of French origin. It is derived from a place name meaning "the ford near the rocky outcrop" in Old Norman. This name would have been given to someone who liv...

Fosse (Last name)

surnames > fosse

The surname Fosse is of Old French origin. It is derived from a topographic name for someone who lived near a marshy area, from the Old French word "fausse" meaning 'marsh' or 'moo...

Fossouo (Last name)

surnames > fossouo

I'm sorry, but I could not find information on the origin of the last name "Fossouo". It may be a rare or unique surname with limited available information.

Foster (Last name)

surnames > foster

The surname Foster is an English and Scottish occupational name, deriving from the Old English "fostra," meaning foster child or foster parent, and "-er," a suffix denoting occupat...