Surname Altieri - Meaning and Origin

Altieri: What does the surname Altieri mean?

The surname Altieri is of Italian origin and it is most common in Rome, Italy's capital. It's derived from the Italian word "altieri", which translates to "proud" or "haughty" in English. The name might have initially been used as a nickname for someone who displayed proud or haughty personality traits. This surname is also associated with the noble Altieri family, one of the illustrious Roman princely families, with one of their family members, Pope Clement X (Emilio Bonaventura Altieri), serving as a head of the Catholic Church in the late 17th century. The family's legacy is still evident in Rome, including the Palazzo Altieri, a historical building and their former residence.

Altieri: Where does the name Altieri come from?

The surname Altieri is of Italian origin, tracing its roots back to Italy. The name Altieri is derived from the Latin term "Altus," which means "high", likely referring to someone of high status. Details about the origin of the Altieri family suggest it was a prominent noble family that played a significant role in Italy's history, primarily during the Renaissance period.

Today, the surname Altieri remains most common in its country of origin, Italy. In particular, it is commonly found in the regions of Lazio, in central Italy, including Rome, where a pope from the Altieri family, Pope Clement X, came from during the 17th century. Also, it is common in Lombardia in Northern Italy, Sicily in southern Italy, and other parts of the country. Outside of Italy, the name can also be found among Italian diaspora communities around the world, such as in the United States and South America. At present, based on surname distribution data, the United States has the highest number of people named Altieri.

Variations of the surname Altieri

The surname Altieri is of Italian origin and is considered fairly unique, with most bearers of the name residing in Italy or being of Italian descent. While there aren't any definitive known spelling variants of Altieri used as surnames, due to dialectical differences in Italy different pronunciations can sometimes lead to alterations in spelling.

In terms of surnames of the same origin, some possible contenders could include other Italian surnames that are derived from personal names or occupations. Examples might include 'Rossi' (derived from 'rosso', meaning 'red'), 'Bianchi' (from 'bianco', meaning 'white'), or 'Conti' (from 'conte', meaning 'count'). This is due to the fact that the Altieri surname could originally have derived from a nickname – in Italian, 'altiero' means 'haughty' or 'noble'.

However, it's important to note that surnames often have complex origins and can derive from a variety of sources, including places, personal names, nicknames, and occupations, so without specific information about the history and etymology of the surname 'Altieri', identifying other surnames of the same origin can be speculative.

Famous people with the name Altieri

• Clement X: Born Emilio Bonaventura Altieri, he was Pope from 1670 to 1676.
• Paluzzo Paluzzi Altieri degli Albertoni: A Catholic Cardinal and Cardinal-Nephew to Pope Clement X.
• Lauino Lauini Altieri: A Cardinal in the Roman Catholic Church.
• Emilio Altieri: An Italian composer who increased the popularity of comic opera in the 19th century.
• Michelle Altieri: An American actress known for her role in the 2005 film 'The Lost City.'
• Alice Altieri: An Italian actress best known for her works in the early-mid 20th century.
• Gasparo Altieri: An Italian painter known for his fresco paintings during the 17th century Baroque period.
• Amy Altieri: A contemporary American film producer, executive producer for 'The Maze Runner' and 'The Scorch Trials.'
• Liuzzi Angelo Altieri: An Italian footballer who played for Giovani Calciatori Foggiani in the 2020-21 season.
• Nella Altieri: An Italian singer who participated in the Sanremo Music Festival in 1955 and 1956.
• Marcello Altieri: An Italian actor primarily known for his work in the 1960s and ‘70s Italian films.

Other surnames

Altier