Last Name Guido

The surname "Guido" is of Germanic origin and derives from the Old High German element "Wald", meaning forest or wood, with the diminutive suffix "-hari" or "-hard". Over time, this name evolved into various forms such as Gude, Guide, Guidon, and Guido in different parts of Europe. It was popular among the Franks, a group of Germanic tribes, particularly during the Middle Ages. The name often served as a personal name before becoming a surname. This is one of the possible origins; however, it's important to note that surnames can have multiple sources and their history may vary across different regions and cultures.

Learn more about the origin of the last name Guido

The meaning and origin of the last name Guido

The surname Guido is of Germanic and Latin origin, derived from the medieval given name "Guido," which means "guide" or "leader." This moniker was popular among the nobility in both Germany and Italy during the Middle Ages. It stemmed from two distinct roots: the Germanic "Widu" meaning "people" or "wood" and the Latin "Guidus," a variation of "Gualdo," which means "to guide, to lead." The name was often bestowed upon individuals who were considered wise or influential within their communities. Over time, as families grew and migrated, the name evolved into a hereditary surname, with the most notable bearers being Guido d'Arezzo, a 10th-century musician, poet, and music theorist, and Guido Fawkes, an English political activist famous for the Gunpowder Plot of 1605.

Geographical distribution of the last name Guido

The surname Guido has its origins from ancient Roman times and is predominantly found in Italy, particularly in regions such as Tuscany, Lazio, Emilia-Romagna, and Campania. It is also common among Italian immigrants to countries like the United States, Canada, Argentina, Brazil, and Australia. The name Guido has been consistently ranked within the top 100 most common surnames in Italy for several years, and it is widely dispersed across various provinces of the country. In addition to Italy, the name can also be found in other European countries with significant Italian populations, such as France, Spain, and Germany. The diaspora of Italians over the past centuries has led to the presence of Guidos outside Europe, primarily in North and South America and Oceania.

Variants and spellings of the last name Guido

The surname Guido has multiple variations and spellings due to differences in transcription over time and across geographical locations. Some common variations include:

1. Guido - This is the most straightforward spelling, which originated from Italy. It is derived from the Latin name "Viduus," meaning widower.
2. Guiodo - A variation of Guido, this spelling can be found in Italian records.
3. Wiedo, Wydo, and Wyddo - These spellings are less common but are Anglicized versions of the original Italian name, found among early Italian immigrants to English-speaking countries.
4. Guede - This is a French spelling of Guido, which may have originated from the region of Provence in southern France, where Italian influences were strong during medieval times.
5. Guethon, Gudon, and Goiten - These are older variations of Guido found in Norman-French records and genealogies from the 10th to 13th centuries.
6. Kuido or Kuito - These are rare spellings that may be found among Eastern European immigrants who adopted Western names with Slavic phonetic adaptations.
7. Gutierrez (Spanish), Guidon (French), and Guida (Portuguese) - These are the Spanish, French, and Portuguese cognates of the Italian name Guido, respectively.

Famous people with the last name Guido

Notable individuals named Guido include:

1. Guido d'Arezzo (992-1050 AD), an Italian monk and music theorist, who introduced the solfège system used for teaching Western musical notation.
2. Guido da Montefeltro (1223-1308/1316 AD), a Ghibelline condottiero and statesman, ruler of Rimini and founder of the University of Cambridge in England.
3. Guidobaldo da Montefeltro (1472-1508 AD), Duke of Urbino from 1474 until his death, known as a patron of the arts and a skilled strategist during the Italian Wars.
4. Guido Reni (1575-1642 AD), an Italian Baroque painter, considered one of the greatest painters of portraits and religious subjects of the 17th century.
5. Guido Cuneo (1930-2017 AD), an Italian American physicist, known for his work in nuclear magnetic resonance and its applications to biology, chemistry, and medicine.
6. Guido van Rossum (1956 AD), a Dutch programmer, creator of the Python programming language, and founder of the Python Software Foundation.
7. Guido Fawkes (1570-1606 AD), the pseudonym used by an Englishman, most likely Robert Catesby, who is known for his leading role in the Gunpowder Plot, a failed assassination attempt against King James I of England.

Genealogical research on the last name Guido

The surname Guido originates from the medieval Latin name "Widus," which meant "guide" or "leader." This name was first used as a personal name in Italy during the Middle Ages and eventually became a surname. The Guidos are believed to have originated from either Tuscany or Lombardy, two regions in Northern Italy. Records show that the family was well-established by the 13th century, with many Guidos serving in important roles within their communities, such as notaries, jurists, and even members of the clergy. The Guido lineage spread throughout Italy, with notable branches in Florence, Rome, and Venice. The family's influence continued to grow over time, with several influential figures bearing the name during the Renaissance period. Today, the Guidos are found worldwide, particularly in countries where Italian immigration has been significant, such as the United States, Canada, Argentina, and Brazil.

Last name distribution maps

Sources & References

• INSEE statistics on the surname "Guido"
• 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 : 11 June 2025

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