Surname Capito - Meaning and Origin
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Capito: What does the surname Capito mean?
The surname Capito is thought to have originated from the Latin word "caput," meaning head or leader. This name may have originally been used to denote someone of importance or prominence in the community. The most likely explanation is that the surname was used to identify a family head or leader in a particular community.
Throughout Europe, it is believed that Capito was first adopted as a surname in Germany, where it was noted in the Bavarian dialect. This suggests that the name was brought to Europe by German settlers, particularly in areas such as modern-day Austria, Hungary, and Croatia.
It is thought that the name had different meanings in different countries and regions, with some using it to denote a high-ranking church dignitary and others using it to describe a powerful clan leader. Others believed that the name was used to identify an individual with a noble birth or status.
In modern times, the surname Capito is still used widely throughout Europe, and is particularly associated with countries and regions such as Italy, Spain, Portugal, and the Baltics. It is not uncommon for this surname to be passed on through multiple generations, which further indicates its importance and longevity.
Order DNA origin analysisCapito: Where does the name Capito come from?
The last name Capito is most typically found in Italy. It is especially common in Rome, the region of Abruzzo, and Calabria. In these areas, the name is associated with a noble family of ancient Roman nobility that can trace its roots to the Roman consul Marcus Tullius Capito in the 1st century B.C.
The Capito name also appears in Portugal, where it is believed to be a variant of the Portuguese surname Caipito. It’s also found in Spain, where it is thought to be a variant of the Spanish name Capitán, which means “captain” or “head”.
The Capito family’s reach is not limited to Europe. In some cases, the name is also found in the United States, and is common among descendants of Italian immigrants who came to the U.S. in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
The Capito name is still strong today, and can be found in many variations such as Capitao, Capitão, Capitani, Capittano, and even Caipo. Depending on where it originated, the last name can take on differences in meaning and spelling, but the root of its meaning remains the same—captain, head, or leader.
Variations of the surname Capito
The surname Capito is a variant of the Italian family name Caputo. It can also be spelled as Caputo, Capputo, Capuato or Capputo.
A Caputo descendant often becomes Capitello or Capitelli when living or working in Latin countries such as Italy or Spain. In Portugal, the surname may be converted to Capput or Capote and, in some cases, variation in spelling might appear within the same family such as Capputo and Caputo. The surname is also sometimes written in alternative spellings such as, Cappotto, Cappotti, Chiapputo, or even Capitta.
The origin of the surname dates back to the Middle Ages when it was a nickname for a person who resembled a whispered. It was commonly used to describe someone who was short and gallant. Over time, the surname grew into multiple variants and has been used to distinguish people of the same family in different countries.
In some parts of Northern Europe, the surname is spelled as Kapittel or Kapittelmann and in Icelandic countries, it is Kapitel. In Eastern countries, the surname has evolved into the surnames Kapitel and Kapitalis which derived from the Middle Eastern word Kapitein.
This surname is popularly recognized to be of Italian descent but there are people of other countries who have adopted the surname because of its many appealing variants. In conclusion, the Capito surname has many spellings, variants, and surnames associated with it.
Famous people with the name Capito
- Shelley Moore Capito: Shelley Moore Capito is currently the senior United States Senator for West Virginia, and the only Republican woman in the Senate. She is a member of the Appropriations and Banking Committees, and serves on several subcommittees.
- David Capito: David Capito is a musician who has released several albums and been featured on the compilation album 'The Velvet Underground And Friends'. He has frequently been called the "Velvet Underground foot soldier".
- William Capito: William Capito is a former basketball player who played for the NBA's Detroit Pistons and Chicago Bulls. He also coached the Charlotte Hornets, New Orleans Pelicans and Memphis Grizzlies.
- Jonathan Capito: Jonathan Capito is the design director at the Ford Motor Company. He has a long tenure in the automotive industry and has positioned himself as a major influence in the world of automotive design.
- Guadalupe "Lupe" Capito: Lupe Capito is an accomplished Latin music singer and songwriter. Lupe has collaborated with many well-known artists, and has become one of the most popular contemporary Latin musicians in the United States.
- L. Anthony "Tony" Capito: Tony Capito is an aerospace executive and served as the Director of the U.S. Missile Defense Agency. He has overseen the development and deployment of several advanced missile defense systems.
- John Capito: John Capito is a professional mixed martial arts fighter and the current Cage Xerring Lightweight champion. He has won numerous titles in the cage throughout his career, and is a highly-regarded athlete.