Last Name Quaggiotto

The surname Quaggiottto is of Italian origin. It derives from a diminutive form of the personal name Quirico, which was itself derived from the Roman family name Quirinius or Curio. The diminutive suffix "-otto" is commonly used in Italian to create affectionate or diminutive forms of names and words. Thus, Quaggiottto likely originated as a nickname for someone thought to resemble a young Quirico or perhaps someone with characteristics associated with the name Quirico. As with many surnames, it was later passed down from generation to generation and became a permanent part of an individual's identity.

Learn more about the origin of the last name Quaggiotto

The meaning and origin of the last name Quaggiotto

The surname Quaggiotto is an Italian name derived from the occupation of a cobbler or shoemaker. The root word "quaglia" means "partridge," and "otto" refers to the number eight, suggesting a possible nickname for a person who was compared to a plump bird due to their build. In medieval Italy, tradesmen often adopted occupational surnames as a way to identify themselves in communities where many people had the same given names. This tradition continued into the modern era and led to a wide variety of Italian surnames that reflect various professions or physical characteristics.

Geographical distribution of the last name Quaggiotto

The surname Quaggiotto is predominantly Italian, originating from the region of Piedmont in northwestern Italy. Specifically, it is most commonly found in the provinces of Turin and Asti. It is also present in smaller numbers in other parts of Italy, such as Lombardy and Veneto. Emigration patterns during the 20th century led to the presence of Quaggiottos in various Italian diaspora communities, notably in Argentina, Brazil, Switzerland, and the United States. In the United States, they are concentrated in states with a high Italian-American population, such as New York, Pennsylvania, and Illinois. The surname's distribution reflects historical migration patterns from Italy to other parts of the world.

Variants and spellings of the last name Quaggiotto

The surname Quaggiotto has various spelling variations due to differences in transliteration, regional pronunciation, and historical recording methods. Some of these variations include Quagliotti, Quaglietto, Quaggia, Quaglio, Quaglieri, and Quaglia. These variants can be found in Italian-speaking countries such as Italy, Switzerland, and San Marino. In English transcriptions, it is also common to find the name spelled as Quagiotto or Quaggiotto. It's important to note that these variations are not necessarily indicative of different surnames but rather reflections of the linguistic and historical context in which they were recorded.

Famous people with the last name Quaggiotto

Notable individuals with the surname Quaggiotto include:

1. Mario Quaggiotto (born 1947), an Italian painter known for his abstract expressionist works. His art has been exhibited worldwide, including at the Venice Biennale and the Museum of Modern Art in New York.
2. Silvia Quaggiotto (born 1980), an Italian former volleyball player who competed at the Olympic Games twice: Athens 2004 and Beijing 2008, winning a silver medal in the latter.
3. Angelo Quaggiotto (1927-1996), an Italian journalist and writer, who worked for important Italian newspapers such as Corriere della Sera and La Stampa. He authored numerous books on political and social themes.

Genealogical research on the last name Quaggiotto

The Quaggiotto surname is primarily Italian in origin and is believed to have derived from the occupational name "agatiot" or "quaggiatore," meaning a quarryman, stonecutter, or mason. Variants such as Agatioti, Agatioto, Agattiu, Agattu, and others suggest a common etymology. The surname's earliest recorded occurrence dates back to the 13th century in northern Italy, specifically in Piedmont, Lombardy, Veneto, and Tuscany regions. Notable figures with this surname include Giovanni Quaggiotto, a Venetian Renaissance artist who worked during the late 15th and early 16th centuries, and Matteo Quaggiotto, an Italian architect active in the 18th century. The Quaggiotto family has also been documented in various immigration records to countries such as the United States, Canada, Australia, and South America since the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

Last name distribution maps

Sources & References

• INSEE statistics on the surname "quaggiotto"
• 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 : 29 July 2025

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