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Last Name Pacchini

What is the origin of the last name Pacchini?

The surname Pacchini is Italian and has its roots from the medieval period. It's a topographical name derived from a place called Pacchiano, located near Arezzo in Tuscany, Italy. The name of the place is believed to be derived from the word "pacchio," meaning a large piece of land or field. This surname was originally given to someone who lived near such a place or came from there.

Learn more about the origin of the last name Pacchini

The meaning and origin of the last name Pacchini

The surname Pacchini is an Italian patronymic name derived from the given name Pacchi or Paolo, which means "small" or "little" in Italian. The name Pacchini originated as a diminutive form of the name Paolo and was likely used to differentiate between multiple bearers of the same name within a family or community.

The Pacchinis are believed to have origins in Tuscany, where the surname is most commonly found today. The name may also be found in other regions of Italy due to migration and settlement over time. Similar names such as Pacchiaro, Pacchioli, and Pacchiano may have developed from variations or regional adaptations of the original Pacchini name.

As a patronymic surname, Pacchini indicates that the bearer was once named Paolo or had a father named Paolo. The name has been borne by numerous notable individuals throughout Italian history, including artists, politicians, and scholars.

Geographical distribution of the last name Pacchini

The surname Pacchini is primarily of Italian origin and is distributed predominantly within Italy. It is most concentrated in Tuscany, particularly in the cities of Florence and Prato, as well as in other regions such as Emilia-Romagna and Lombardy. The name is also found among Italian communities outside of Italy, with significant populations in Argentina, Brazil, and Switzerland, due to historical migration patterns. Additionally, small numbers of individuals carrying the Pacchini surname can be found in various parts of North America and Australia, as a result of further immigration waves over the past centuries.

Variants and spellings of the last name Pacchini

The surname Pacchini has several variations and spellings due to historical transcription errors and regional dialects. Some common variants include Pacini, Pacanin, Pacanino, Pacaninich, Pacaninetti, Paccani, Paccanino, Paccanin, Pacchani, Pacchinelli, Pacchino, Pacchioni, Pacchinotto, and Pacchinian. These variations originate from Italy, where the surname is most common. The name Pacchini or its variants can also be found in other Italian-speaking regions such as Switzerland, Austria, and Argentina. It is derived from the Italian word "pacco" which means "package" or "bundle."

Famous people with the last name Pacchini

Paolo Tullio Pacchiani (1847-1927) was an Italian physicist and mathematician, best known for his work on gravitational potential and his discovery of the Pachinski effect. He made significant contributions to the study of elasticity and the theory of vibrations, including developing a method for calculating the natural frequencies of systems with multiple degrees of freedom.

Another notable figure with the last name Pacchini is Rino Alfonso Pacchiani (1945-2018), an Italian entrepreneur and inventor who founded the company Coop Italia, one of Italy's largest retail cooperatives. He was also known for his work in promoting social causes and supporting education and research initiatives.

Lastly, Giuliano Pacchioni (born 1939) is a renowned Italian neurophysiologist who has made significant contributions to the field of neuroscience. He is best known for his research on the olfactory bulb and for developing the concept of "olfactory receptor cells" and the "Pacchioni organ," a structure in the brain that plays a role in olfaction.

Genealogical research on the last name Pacchini

The Pacchini surname is of Italian origin and is commonly found in Tuscany and Emilia-Romagna regions. It derives from various places named Pacchiano or Pacchiano di Sopra, which means 'above the stream' in Italian. The name is also associated with the city of Arezzo, where a notable family by this surname was recorded during the 13th century. Over time, several branches of the Pacchini family migrated and settled across Italy and later to other countries like France, Switzerland, Argentina, and the United States. Notable figures bearing the name Pacchini include musicians, artists, political leaders, and scientists. The most famous being Giuseppe Pacchiani, an Italian physicist who discovered the Panchromatic camera lens in the 19th century. Genealogical research on the Pacchini surname is abundant due to its long history and geographical dispersion, making it a fascinating subject for family historians.

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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