Surname Anthony - Meaning and Origin

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E. Anthony

Anthony: What does the surname Anthony mean?

The last name Anthony is of Latin origin and comes from the Roman family name Antonius, which is of unknown Etruscan origin. The meaning of Anthony is highly disputed, but the most commonly accepted interpretations are "priceless", "inestimable" or "worthy of praise". The surname became popular in the Christian world due to the fame of Saint Anthony the Great, who was a influential religious figure in the 4th century. It's also associated with Mark Anthony, a Roman military leader loved by Cleopatra. Over the centuries, multiple variants of the surname have appeared across different cultures, such as Anton, Antonio, and Antonius. It is a very popular first and last name worldwide.

Anthony: Where does the name Anthony come from?

The surname Anthony comes from the Roman family name Antonius, which is believed to be of unknown Etruscan origin. This surname was later popularized by the renowned Roman general Mark Antony (Marcus Antonius), which eventually transformed into Anthony in English-speaking countries. Additionally, the name was widely adopted as a personal name in honor of the famous third-century Egyptian hermit St. Antony of Egypt, also known as St. Antony the Great, thus contributing to the surname's prevalence.

In terms of commonality today, Anthony is found globally due to widespread anglicization. However, it is most commonly found in the United States, England, Australia, Canada, and many parts of Africa. Looking specifically at the United States, data reveals that the surname is particularly prevalent in states such as New York, Florida, California, and Pennsylvania. The diversity of places where this surname has proliferated reflects the influences of religious reverence, historical figures, and linguistic adaptation.

Variations of the surname Anthony

The surname Anthony has a few variants and spellings. The name has a Greek origin, specifically from the personal name "Antonios". Common variants of Anthony include Antony, Antonio, Anton, Antoni, Antonucci, Antonino, Antonelli, Andoni, and Antunovich.

British and American English often use the spelling Anthony, while in Italian and Spanish this name is usually spelt as Antonio. Antony is a less common variant used in English countries. In the regions of Spain, Basque country, and other regions with strong regional languages like Catalonia, the name may be spelled as Andoni. Eastern European countries like Russia or Belarus often use the variant Antonovich or Antunovich, while in Ukrainian it can also be spelled as Antoniv.

It's worth noting that the variations incorporate different suffixes, like '-elli', '-ucci', '-ino', which represent Italian diminutives generally indicating "little" or "son of".

Different surnames that may point to the same origin are Anton, Thon, Ton, Tos, Tono, and Tonelli. Variations often represent a linguistic, regional, or familial adaptation of the original name.

Famous people with the name Anthony

• Susan B. Anthony: An American social reformer and women's rights activist who played a pivotal role in the women's suffrage movement.
• Carmelo Anthony: A professional basketball player currently playing for the Portland Trail Blazers in the National Basketball Association (NBA).
• Marc Anthony: An American singer, songwriter, actor, record producer, and television producer who is widely known for his Latin and salsa-influenced music.
• Casey Anthony: A controversial figure, she was acquitted in 2011 for the murder of her daughter, Caylee Anthony.
• Lysette Anthony: An English actress and model, best known for her roles in films like "Krull" and "Dracula: Dead and Loving It".
• Piers Anthony: An English-American author in the science fiction and fantasy genres, known for his long-running novel series set in the fictional realm of Xanth.
• Earl Anthony: An American professional bowler who was named Bowler of the Century by the American Bowling Congress.
• Ray Anthony: An American bandleader, trumpeter, songwriter and actor who had several big band hits during the 1940s and 1950s.
• Greg Anthony: Former professional basketball player and now a television analyst for NBA TV and Turner Sports.
• Anthony Anthony: An American photographer and cinematographer who was a pioneer in stereoscopic and panoramic photography.

Other surnames

AnthonAnthoniAnthonisenAnthonsen