Last Name Umani

The last name Umani is believed to have Italian origins. It is a locative surname, derived from places called Umano, Umana, or Umania, found in various regions of Italy such as Tuscany, Emilia-Romagna, and Umbria. Locative names are those that originally indicated the place where the name bearer lived or held land. In this case, the name likely originated from one of these Italian locations. However, it's important to note that surnames often have complex histories and can be influenced by a variety of factors, so additional research may be needed for a more precise understanding of the specific origin of the Umani surname in individual cases.

Learn more about the origin of the last name Umani

The meaning and origin of the last name Umani

The surname Umani is an Italian toponymic name derived from a place-name, specifically from a location named Umana, which can be found in various regions of Italy, such as Tuscany and Emilia-Romagna. The name Umana itself is believed to originate from the Latin word "homo," meaning man or human, due to its association with the term "humus" (soil) in Roman culture. Over time, the spelling variations of this surname may have emerged, such as Umani or Omani, reflecting regional dialects and changes in transcription. The name Umani is primarily found among Italians but can also be found amongst individuals of Italian descent in other parts of the world.

Geographical distribution of the last name Umani

The surname Umani has its origins in Italy and is predominantly found in the regions of Tuscany, Marche, and Umbria. According to data from various sources, it is most frequent in the province of Pesaro e Urbino in the Marche region, followed by the provinces of Arezzo, Siena, and Grosseto in Tuscany. Additionally, it is also found in smaller numbers in other Italian regions such as Emilia-Romagna, Lazio, and Abruzzo. The name Umani can be traced back to medieval Italy, where it was likely a topographic surname derived from the term "umano," meaning human or inhabited. Outside of Italy, the name Umani is less common but has been found in some South American countries as a result of Italian immigration during the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

Variants and spellings of the last name Umani

The surname Umani has several variations and spellings due to differences in translation, transcription errors over time, and regional dialects. Some of these variations include:

1. Umiani
2. Omani
3. Umano
4. Umañí (in Spanish-speaking countries)
5. Umanni (phonetic spelling in English)
6. Umaniy or Omaney (possibly found among immigrants adopting Anglicized forms of their surnames)
7. Umany, Omany (shortened versions)
8. Umaani (a more exotic-sounding variant)
9. Umeni (simplified version)
10. Oumani (French spelling variant)

It is important to note that the correct spelling of a surname can be influenced by factors such as immigration, language, and regional dialects, making it difficult to determine the original or "correct" form of the name Umani.

Famous people with the last name Umani

Notable individuals with the surname Umani include:

1. Lucio Fontana (1899-1968), an Argentine-Italian artist, best known for his Concetto Spaziale and other abstract works.
2. Claudio Umani (born 1945), a former Italian footballer who played as a goalkeeper in the 1960s and 1970s. He won two Serie A titles with AC Milan.
3. Federico Umani (born 1982), an Italian actor, director, and writer, known for his work in theatre and television.
4. Stefano Umani (born 1965), an Italian composer and music producer who has worked on numerous film scores, including "La Piovra" and "Il Commissario Montalbano."
5. Serena Umani (born 1990), an Italian volleyball player, who played as a setter for Scavolini Pesaro in the Serie A1.
6. Emanuele Umani (born 1992), an Italian professional footballer who plays as a defender for SPAL in the Serie B.

Genealogical research on the last name Umani

The Umani surname is of Italian origin and is believed to have roots in the regions of Emilia-Romagna and Tuscany. The name could be derived from various sources, such as a place name like Umiano in Romagna or Umana in Tuscany, or from the personal names Omino or Umone. Early records show that the family was present in cities like Florence and Bologna during the Middle Ages. Notable figures with the surname Umani include the painter Angelo Michele Umani (1736-1809) and the historian Giuseppe Umani (1768-1854). The migration of the Umani family to other parts of Italy and foreign countries, such as the United States, began in the 19th century. Today, the surname can be found worldwide among Italian diaspora communities.

Last name distribution maps

Sources & References

• INSEE statistics on the surname "Umani"
• 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 : 28 July 2025

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