Last Name Tosatto

The surname Tosatto is believed to have Italian origins. It is derived from various places named Tosato found in the provinces of Padua and Rovigo, in the Veneto region of Italy. This surname belongs to a group known as locative surnames, which were generally occupied by families living near a topographical landmark or geographical feature such as a hill, stream, field, or town. Over time, these names have been passed down from generation to generation, and variations in spelling may arise due to differences in transcription and translation over the centuries.

Learn more about the origin of the last name Tosatto

The meaning and origin of the last name Tosatto

The surname Tosatto is an Italian patronymic name derived from a personal name. It originates from the medieval given name Toso, a diminutive form of Thomas, which comes from the Aramaic word "toma" meaning twin. The surname Tosatto likely developed as a nickname for someone who resembled Saint Thomas or was considered to have the qualities associated with him, such as doubting or questioning. Over time, the name evolved through various spellings and regional variations, including Tosati, Tosato, and Tosatelli, reflecting changes in pronunciation and spelling conventions over the centuries. The surname is most commonly found in northern Italy, particularly in regions such as Veneto and Lombardy.

Geographical distribution of the last name Tosatto

The surname Tosatto is primarily found in Italy, with the majority of its occurrences concentrated in the northeastern region of Veneto. Specifically, it's most common in the provinces of Treviso, Vicenza, and Belluno. Migrations have also resulted in the name being present to some extent in other Italian regions and in various countries where Italians have emigrated, such as Argentina, Brazil, Canada, and the United States. In these foreign locations, communities with a significant number of people bearing the Tosatto surname can be found in cities like Toronto, New York, and Sao Paulo.

Variants and spellings of the last name Tosatto

The surname Tosatto has several variations and spelling alternatives, primarily due to differences in transliteration and regional dialects over time. Some common variants include Tosat, Tossato, Tosso, Tozzato, and Toso. These variations may also be found in different Italian provinces or among individuals of Italian descent in other countries. Additionally, it's worth noting that the name could have originated from various locations within Italy, such as Tosco (Tuscany), Tossana (Lombardy), or Torre de' Passeri in the Marche region. These regional differences might have led to variations in the spelling of the surname over the years.

Famous people with the last name Tosatto

The Tosatto family has produced several notable individuals across various fields. One of the most renowned is Alessandro Tosatto (born 1963), an Italian astronomer known for his research on supernovae and cosmic distance scales. He is currently the Director of the Department of Astrophysics at the University of Padua. In the world of art, Giuseppe Tosatto (1745-1820) was an Italian painter, active in Venice during the Neoclassical period. His work often depicted historical and mythological subjects, and he was a pupil of Giambattista Tiepolo. In literature, Luigi Tosato (1936-2014) was an Italian writer who authored numerous works, including poetry, essays, and novels. He won several prestigious literary awards throughout his career. Lastly, Mara Tosatto (born 1978), is an Italian alpine skier who participated in the Winter Olympics three times, winning a bronze medal in downhill at the 2006 Turin Games.

Genealogical research on the last name Tosatto

The Tosatto surname is of Italian origin and is believed to have derived from various locations in Italy, particularly in the regions of Veneto and Lombardy. One of the earliest recorded instances of the Tosatto family can be traced back to the 16th century in the town of Vigonzone, Pavia, Lombardy. The name is thought to originate from a local occupational or nickname, likely referring to a person who was a tanner (Italian: "tessitore" or "cuoiaio") or someone associated with the tanning industry. Over the centuries, the Tosatto family spread throughout Italy and migrated to other parts of Europe and the Americas. Notable individuals with the Tosatto surname include Giacomo Tosatto, an Italian painter, and Domenico Tosatto, an Italian-American conductor.

Last name distribution maps

Sources & References

• INSEE statistics on the surname "tosatto"
• 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 : 26 July 2025

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