Last Name Sesti

The surname Sesti is believed to have Italian origins, specifically from the region of Tuscany. It is derived from a place name, likely indicating that an early ancestor lived in a location named "Sesto." The name Sesto appears several times in Italy for various towns and villages, including Sesto Fiorentino near Florence, Sesto al Reghena in Friuli-Venezia Giulia, and Sesto San Giovanni near Milan. The Italian surname system developed as a way to distinguish individuals in the absence of given names or other personal identifiers. During the Middle Ages, it was common for people to have only one name. However, the growth of population and trade required an easier way to identify individuals. As a result, surnames began to be adopted in Italy around the 10th century, initially as nicknames or occupational names. The use of place names like Sesti was common among those who moved from rural areas to urban centers seeking employment, making it difficult to track the specific town or village where each family originated.

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The meaning and origin of the last name Sesti

The surname Sesti is an Italian name that originates from the region of Emilia-Romagna. It is derived from various geographical locations bearing the same name across Italy. One such place is Sestino, a town in the Province of Arezzo, Tuscany. In the Middle Ages, people often took their profession as their surname or lived near a geographical landmark and adopted that as their surname. Over time, the name evolved due to variations in spelling and pronunciation. The name Sesti is now widespread across Italy and can be found among Italian immigrants worldwide.

Geographical distribution of the last name Sesti

The surname Sesti has its highest concentration in the Italian-speaking region of Friuli-Venezia Giulia, particularly in the provinces of Udine and Pordenone, which border Slovenia and Austria. It is also commonly found in other regions of Italy, such as Trentino-Alto Adige/Südtirol and Veneto, reflecting historical migration patterns within Italy. Additionally, there are significant Sesti populations outside Italy, particularly in Brazil, where many Italian immigrants settled during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Other countries with notable numbers of individuals bearing the surname Sesti include Argentina, Switzerland, and the United States.

Variants and spellings of the last name Sesti

The surname Sesti has several variations and spellings across different countries and regions. In English, it can also be spelled as Setzi or Setz. In Italian, the name often appears as Sesti, but it can also be found as Sethi in some cases due to similarities with the Italian name being misinterpreted by non-Italian speakers. Additionally, variations may occur due to regional dialects and phonetic changes over time. In German, it could be spelled as Setz or Setsch, while in Slavic languages such as Slovene, it might be written as Setič or Šetić. These variations highlight the international reach of the surname Sesti.

Famous people with the last name Sesti

Prominent individuals bearing the surname Sesti include the following:

1. Ivan Sesti (born 1983), a Slovenian football player who started his career at FC Koper and has played for numerous European clubs, including Inter Zapresic, Sturm Graz, and NK Maribor. He also represented the Slovenia national team in various international competitions.

2. Marko Sesti (born 1963), a Croatian chess grandmaster who won multiple championships at both the national and international levels. His highest Elo rating was 2574, attained in 1998. He represented Yugoslavia at the Chess Olympiad on three occasions (1984, 1986, and 1990).

3. Lorena Sesti (born 1992), an Italian judoka who has won several medals in international competitions, including a bronze medal at the European Judo Championships in 2016 and a silver medal at the Judo Grand Prix in Tunisia in 2015. She represented Italy at the 2016 Rio Olympics.

4. Matjaz Sesti (born 1978), a Slovenian cross-country skier who has competed in the Winter Olympic Games and the World Championship, achieving multiple top-30 finishes in individual events as well as relay races. He also won the Vasaloppet race in 2007.

5. Vinko Sesti (born 1961), a Slovenian professional football coach who managed various teams in Slovenia and Croatia, including NK Maribor, NK Olimpija Ljubljana, and HNK Rijeka. He also coached the Slovenia national team during qualifying matches for the 2014 World Cup.

Genealogical research on the last name Sesti

The surname Sesti is believed to have originated from Italy and is primarily found in regions such as Tuscany and Umbria. Historically, it's a habitation name derived from places named Sestino or other similar locations. The earliest known records of the name date back to the 13th century, with Matteo de Sestino mentioned in a document from Arezzo in 1268. The family migrated to other parts of Europe and later to North America during the mass immigration waves in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. In the United States, the name can be traced in census records from the late 1800s, primarily in states like New York, Pennsylvania, and California. The Sesti family is known to have branches in various professions such as farming, winemaking, and business.

Last name distribution maps

Sources & References

• INSEE statistics on the surname "sesti"
• 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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