What is the origin of the last name Turi?

The surname Turi is of Italian origin. It is derived from a variety of sources, including geographical locations and occupations. One possible origin is from the town Turri (now Turi) in the province of Campobasso in Italy. Another source suggests that it may have been an occupation name for someone who was a potter or tile maker, as "tori" means "pottery" in some dialects of Italian. As with many surnames, its exact origin can vary and may be specific to individual families.

Learn more about the origin of the last name Turi

The meaning and origin of the last name Turi

The surname Turi is an Italian and Jewish (Ashkenazi) name, derived from various sources. In Italian, Turi may originate from places named Turi, such as Turi in Puglia or Turi in Tuscany, and would have been a topographic name for someone who lived near such a place. As a Jewish surname, it could be a shortened form of the Hebrew given name Tovariah, which means "God is good." The name Tovariah was often contracted to Turia in medieval Hebrew texts and later evolved into the Italian surname Turi through various phonetic changes during migration and assimilation.

Geographical distribution of the last name Turi

The surname Turi is predominantly found in Italy, with the majority of its occurrences located in the central region of Tuscany, particularly in cities like Florence and Arezzo. It also has significant presence in the provinces of Siena, Pisa, Lucca, and Grosseto. The name is associated with the Tuscan city of Turri, which may have contributed to its prevalence in the region. Additionally, small numbers of people bearing the surname Turi can be found in other parts of Italy, as well as in countries with Italian diaspora communities such as Argentina, Brazil, Canada, and the United States.

Variants and spellings of the last name Turi

The surname Turi has several variations and spellings, primarily due to differences in transliteration and regional pronunciation. Some common variants include Turi, Torri, Ture, de Tori, De Tury, and D'Turi. These variations may arise from changes in the spelling conventions over time or from the influence of different languages and cultures. Additionally, some families may have adopted slightly different spellings as a result of migration or assimilation into new communities. While these variations can make tracing family history more challenging, they also highlight the rich diversity within the Turi name and its global dispersal.

Famous people with the last name Turi

Notable individuals with the surname Turi include:

1. Giuseppe Angelo Turi (1927-2000), an Italian mathematician known for his contributions to algebraic geometry and mathematical logic.

2. Lazlo Turi (born 1953), a Hungarian-American astrophysicist who works on the study of exoplanetary atmospheres, stellar variability, and observational cosmology.

3. Michele Turi (born 1987), an Italian footballer who has played for several clubs in Italy and abroad, including A.C. Milan and Fiorentina.

4. Richard Turi (1929-2016), a Swiss psychologist known for his research on the psychology of dreams, as well as the author of several books on dream interpretation.

5. Richard A. Turi (born 1947), an American physician and scientist who specializes in infectious diseases, particularly mycobacterial infections and tuberculosis. He was a key member of the team that discovered Mycobacterium ulcerans, the bacterium responsible for Buruli ulcer.

6. Tiziana Turi (born 1973), an Italian journalist who has worked as a correspondent for Italian news agencies ANSA and AGI in various parts of the world, including Iraq, Afghanistan, and Pakistan.

Genealogical research on the last name Turi

The surname Turi is primarily of Italian origin, with roots tracing back to various regions such as Tuscany and Sardinia. Its earliest recorded occurrence can be found in the late Middle Ages, with the emergence of hereditary family names throughout Italy during this period. One notable branch of the Turi family, the Marchesi di Villabianca, originated from the province of Pisa in Tuscany and were ennobled by the Medici grand dukes in the 16th century. The name Turi is also found in other Italian-speaking regions like Lombardy and Emilia-Romagna, where it has been associated with artisans and merchants over the centuries. Additionally, there are records of Turi immigrants in other countries such as Argentina, Brazil, and the United States, where the name has persisted among their descendants.

Last name distribution maps

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NomOrigine Team
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.

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