Surname Altavilla - Meaning and Origin
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Altavilla: What does the surname Altavilla mean?
The surname Altavilla is of Italian origin and can be broken down into two parts: "alta" meaning 'high' and "villa" meaning 'town' or 'village'. Therefore, Altavilla can be translated to 'high town' or 'high village'. The name is most likely topographical, possibly referring to families or individuals who originally lived in an elevated town or village in Italy. Many Italian surnames were created from nicknames, often based on a person's personal characteristics, occupation, or geographical features of their town. A person bestowed with this name or this name as a surname could signify they or their ancestors came from a town or village on a hill or a mountain or in any high-altitude area. While it is common in Italy, it may be found in various spellings in places around the world where Italian diaspora communities live.
Order DNA origin analysisAltavilla: Where does the name Altavilla come from?
The surname Altavilla originates from Italy. It comes from a place name, specifically the town of Altavilla Vicentina in the Veneto region in northern Italy. Altavilla means 'high town' in Italian. Surnames derived from place names were often given to people who left their original dwelling place and moved to a new region. They would then be identified based on their town or region of origin.
The name might also be connected to the noble family of Hauteville from Normandy that established the Kingdom of Sicily during the 11th-century Norman conquest, and their name was translated to Altavilla in Italian.
In the past, descendants following territorial occupations or originating from geographical regions often adopted these names. Today, the surname Altavilla is still found across Italy, particularly in the northern regions. Outside of Italy, it is likely most common in countries with significant Italian diaspora, such as the United States, Argentina, Brazil, and Canada. Nonetheless, it remains relatively uncommon compared to other Italian surnames.
Variations of the surname Altavilla
The surname Altavilla has its origins from Italy, colloquially referring to "high town" or "upper town." Similar variants could include spellings with slight modifications like "Alta Villa," "Alta-Villa," or "AltaVilla." While researching, it does not appear that there are many common surnames that share the exact origin of Altavilla. However, it's worth noting that it's common in Italy to have surnames derived from geographical features or locations.
As such, other Italian surnames like Montalto (high mountain) or Roccagrande (big rock) may share a similar linguistic origin, but not necessarily a genealogical one. There might be instances where the name changes due to emigration, translation, or pronunciation in different regions or countries.
It’s also important to remember that alterations in the spelling of surnames occurred over centuries due to lack of literacy or translation to other languages. Therefore, tracing the exact variants can be challenging. It's always best to research individual family histories or consult genealogy experts when searching for possible surname variations.
Famous people with the name Altavilla
The surname Altavilla seems to be quite rare, and not many well-known individuals sport this last name. However, Philip Altavilla is a recognized professional in the real estate industry who has contributed to the growth and development of numerous projects in the United States. It's possible that there may be others with the same surname who primarily operate in local or niche industries and hence are not globally well-known. The Altavilla name is also historically significant, connected to the 'House of Altavilla' (House of Hauteville), a noble family in medieval Europe that produced several famous counts and kings in Sicily and Southern Italy during the 11th, 12th, and 13th centuries, such as Robert Guiscard and Roger II of Sicily.