Last Name Gotelli

The surname Gotelli is believed to have Italian origins. It is derived from various place names in Italy, particularly towns such as Gazzada Schianno and Gazzada-Schianno in the province of Pavia, Lombardy. These places were originally named "Gotele" or "Goteleia," which may have been derived from the personal name Gotto or Goto, a shortened form of names containing the Old German element Got (God) and the suffix -eli, indicating belonging to. However, it's important to note that surnames often evolved in various ways and from various sources, so this is just one theory regarding the origin of the Gotelli surname.

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The meaning and origin of the last name Gotelli

The surname Gotelli is primarily of Italian origin, derived from various locations in Italy named "Gotro" or "Goito", both of which are located in the provinces of Brescia and Mantua. The name is believed to have been originally derived from the Germanic personal name "Gotto" or "Goto," which means "rich in gods." Over time, this name evolved into Gotelli as a surname, which was typically given to someone who originated from one of these Italian locations. It's worth noting that Italian surnames began to develop at the end of the Middle Ages, during a period known as the Renaissance. The naming pattern of an Italian surname often reveals the occupation, place of origin, patronage, or filiation of the namebearer.

Geographical distribution of the last name Gotelli

The surname Gotelli is predominantly found in South America, particularly in Argentina and Uruguay. It originates from the Italian surname "Gozzoli," which was brought by Italian immigrants to these countries during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. There are also smaller concentrations of people with this surname in Italy itself, as well as in other South American nations such as Brazil and Chile, where Italian immigration also played a significant role. In recent years, there have been instances of Gotellis in the United States, Canada, and Spain, largely due to migration from Argentina and Uruguay. The distribution of the name reflects the historical patterns of Italian immigration to these regions.

Variants and spellings of the last name Gotelli

The surname Gotelli has various spellings and variations, primarily due to differences in transliteration and regional pronunciation. Here are some common versions:

1. Goteli - This is one of the more direct phonetic variations of the original Italian last name.
2. Gotellia - A female form of the surname, although it can also be used for males.
3. Gotelli-Cole - A combined or hyphenated version of the surname and a family addition such as Cole.
4. Goetelli - An alternative spelling that may have originated from different transliteration methods or regional pronunciations.
5. Götelli - The Germanized form of the surname, with the character 'ö' representing the vowel sound "ö" in German.
6. Goettel, Goetel, Goettle - These may be variations or misspellings due to phonetic similarities and differences in spelling conventions over time.
7. Gotelli-Wright - Another combined version of the surname with a family addition such as Wright.
8. Gotelli Jr., Gotelli III, etc. - Suffixes indicating generations within a family lineage are often added to distinguish between individuals with the same surname.

Famous people with the last name Gotelli

The Gotelli family has produced several notable individuals across various fields. In the realm of science, Mariano Gotelli is renowned for his contributions to biology and evolutionary ecology. He is a professor at the University of La Plata in Argentina, known for his research on symbiosis, mutualisms, and plant-microbe interactions. In the world of art, American painter Robert A. Gotelli's works have been exhibited internationally, with a focus on abstract expressionism and color field painting. His art is held in numerous private collections and museums worldwide. Lastly, Italian footballer Marco Goteli, a former player for clubs such as Torino FC and Sampdoria, is remembered for his time playing in the Serie A during the 1980s and 1990s. These individuals exemplify the diverse achievements of those bearing the surname Gotelli.

Genealogical research on the last name Gotelli

The Gotelli surname is predominantly of Italian origin and is most commonly found in regions such as Ticino, southern Switzerland, and northern Italy. The name has various possible origins: it could derive from localities named Gotto, Gottole, or Gotoli in the Lombardy region; it might also be a variant of the name Gottardo, meaning "God's protection." Some early records show that the surname Gotelli was initially a nickname for someone associated with the place names mentioned above or for a person named Gottardo. Notable individuals bearing the Gotelli surname include Swiss chemist and physicist Auguste Pierre Dubois de Gotelli (1807-1856), and Italian writer Giuseppe Gotelli (1843-1911). The family history and distribution of the Gotelli name suggest its origins in the Italian-speaking regions, with dispersals to other parts of Europe and the Americas due to migration.

Last name distribution maps

Sources & References

• INSEE statistics on the surname "gotelli"
• 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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