The surname Zito is of Italian origin and is derived from the given name Giuseppe (Joseph) or Gianni (John). In Italy, it was a common nickname for these names, often used as a diminutive form. The suffix "-o" in Italian signifies a masculine first name or nickname, making Zito a surname that originally referred to someone who was named Joseph or John, or someone who was affectionately called by the nicknames "Giuseppe" or "Gianni."
The surname Zito is an Italian name that originally derives from the diminutive form of the given name Giuseppe, which translates to Joseph in English. The name Giuseppe was commonly abbreviated as "Peppe" or "Zappino," which over time evolved into the more widely recognized form "Zito."
The surname Zito is primarily found among Italian-speaking populations, particularly in southern Italy, where it has been used since the late Middle Ages. Its early origins can be traced to various regions including Calabria, Sicily, and Campania, although it has since spread throughout Italy and beyond due to migration. The name's popularity reflects the prominence of the given name Joseph in Catholic tradition, where St. Joseph is considered a patron saint and an important figure in the Bible.
The surname Zito has its origins from Italy and is predominantly distributed across the Italian peninsula, particularly in regions such as Campania, Lazio, Calabria, and Sicily. In these areas, it is often found among communities with roots in Naples and Palermo. Outside of Italy, significant populations bearing the surname Zito can be found in countries with large Italian-American communities, such as the United States, Canada, and Argentina, where the name has been anglicized to variations like Zitti or Zitoe. Additionally, smaller populations can be found in other European countries due to historical migration patterns.
The surname Zito has several variations and spellings due to regional differences and transcription errors over time. Some common variants include:
1. Zito - the most common spelling, originating from Italy.
2. Zitti - an Italian variant with an additional "i" at the end.
3. Zitta - a variant that omits the final 'o' in Zito.
4. Zitto - a possible misspelling or dialectal variation of Zito.
5. Zyttow - a Germanized form of the Italian surname, originating from immigration.
6. Citto - a potential phonetic spelling that could represent a nickname derived from Zito.
7. Cizio - an uncommon variant with a different vowel in the second syllable.
8. Tzitzos - a Hellenized form of the Italian surname, originating from Greek immigration.
9. Tsitos - another possible Hellenized form of the same surname.
Notable individuals with the surname Zito include:
1. Steve Zito - An American professional wrestler and actor, known for his appearances with World Championship Wrestling (WCW) under the ring names Alex Wright and Disco Inferno.
2. Vinnie Zito - An American ice hockey player who currently plays for HC Fribourg-Gottéron of the Swiss National League (NL). He was selected 63rd overall by the New York Rangers in the 1984 NHL Entry Draft.
3. Bruce K. Zito - An American computer scientist and professor at Carnegie Mellon University, known for his work on database systems and information security.
4. Renee Zito - An American journalist and former anchor of the evening news on WPIX-TV in New York City. She has also worked as a correspondent for CNN and NBC News.
5. Tony Zito - An American judoka, Olympic gold medalist in the men's half-lightweight division at the 1984 Summer Olympics. He is a three-time world champion and four-time U.S. national champion.
6. Joe Zito - An American film director known for movies such as "Friday the 13th Part IV: The Final Chapter" and "Invasion USA".
The surname Zito originates from Italy and is a patronymic name derived from the given name Giuseppe, meaning Joseph. It has several variations such as Zitti, De Zito, Di Zito, and La Zito. The name was primarily found in southern regions like Naples, Sicily, and Calabria.
The earliest documented instances of the surname date back to the 16th century. In 1543, a Gioannes Zito is recorded in the archives of Naples, while Pietro Zito appears in the records from Palermo in 1568. The name began to spread northward during the 1700s due to migrations driven by economic and political factors.
In the United States, the Zito family arrived mainly between the mid-19th and early 20th centuries, with significant populations settling in New York City, Philadelphia, and Boston. Notable figures bearing the surname include Italian American baseball players Joe DiMaggio and Tony La Russa, as well as journalist John Zito.
In genealogical research, it's essential to consider possible misspellings and variations of the name when searching for ancestors. Additionally, examining immigration records, census data, and vital statistics can provide valuable insights into the history and origins of the Zito family line.
Chargement de la carte...
Enter the surname you are looking for below:
surnames > zitarosa
The last name "Zitarosa" is of Italian origin. It is derived from the word "zita," which means maiden or unmarried woman, and the word "rosa," which means rose. The name may have o...
surnames > zitelli
The surname Zitelli is of Italian origin, specifically from the region of Tuscany. It derives from a nickname, "zitello," which means "little boy" or "mischievous boy." The surname...
surnames > zitie
The last name "Zitie" is of Armenian origin. It is likely derived from a place name or a personal name.
surnames > ziton
The surname "Ziton" seems to have uncertain origins. It does not appear to be a common surname in many parts of the world, and it is not clearly associated with a specific origin. ...
surnames > zitouni
The surname "Zitouni" is a toponymic surname, which means it originated from a place named Zitoune, Zitouna, or similar variations. These placenames are found in North Africa, part...
surnames > zits
The last name "Zits" is of German origin. It is derived from the Middle High German word "zît," meaning "time" or "age." This surname likely originally referred to a person who wa...
surnames > zitt
The last name Zitt is of German origin. It is derived from the Middle High German word "zid," which means "sieve" or "rinse." The name likely originated as an occupational surname ...
surnames > zitte
The last name Zitte is likely of German origin, derived from the personal name Sitti. It may also have roots in Dutch, where it could be a variant of the name Sitte or Zitter.
surnames > zitti
The surname Zitti is an Italian patronymic name derived from the given name Giotti, which was a diminutive form of the name Gioacchino (Jackson in English) or Giovanni (John). The ...
surnames > zittoun
The surname Zittoun is believed to have roots in various regions, particularly in France and Germany, where it may have originated as a topographical name for someone who lived nea...
surnames > zituni
The surname Zituni is of North African origin. It is a common surname among the Berber population in countries such as Morocco and Algeria. The name likely has Amazigh roots and ma...
surnames > zitzen
The last name Zitzen is of German origin. It is derived from the word "zitze," which means "udder" or "teat" in German. This surname is likely to have originated from an occupation...