Surname Gentili - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'G'
Gentili: What does the surname Gentili mean?
The surname Gentili is of Italian origin and it is derived from the word "gentile" which translates to "gentle" or "noble" in English. This name was often given to those who were considered kind, courteous, or of noble birth in society. It could also potentially signify a family's geographical origin from the region of Gent, now known as Ghent, in Belgium. Thus, the Gentili family may have been well-regarded for their noble or gentle demeanor, or they could be descendants from the area of Ghent. Due to the historical lack of standardized spelling, various versions of this surname exist, including Gentile, Gentilini, Gentilucci, and more. However, all variations typically hold the same implications in terms of their meanings. It should be noted that the interpretation of the meaning can differ based on regional and historical contexts.
Order DNA origin analysisGentili: Where does the name Gentili come from?
The last name Gentili is of Italian origin. The term "Gentile" in Italian means 'gentle' or 'generous'. It is believed to have initially been used as a nickname for a kind or noble person. The surname first surfaced in the northern region of Emilia-Romagna, amidst some of Italy's most historic cities and towns. It found its origins in medieval times when surnames begun to be used to better distinguish between individuals.
Today, the surname Gentili is widespread in Italy, especially in the regions of Marche and Emilia-Romagna. According to public records, the provinces with the highest concentration of the Gentili surname are Ascoli Piceno in Marche and Rimini in Emilia-Romagna. Outside of Italy, the surname Gentili can be found in countries where Italian diaspora is significant, such as the United States, Argentina, and Brazil. It is also present in other European countries like France and England, due to historical migrations and exchanges.
Variations of the surname Gentili
The surname Gentili is thought to originate from Italy, possibly deriving from the word 'gentile' which means 'kind' or 'noble' in old Italian. Variants could include Gentile, Gentilini, Gentilucci, Gentilomo, Gentiloni, and Gentilucci.
Other possible variants or similar surnames might include Gentiali, Gentilleschi, Gentilelli, Gentileschi, Gentiletti, or Gentilla.
The spellings can also differ regionally within Italy itself, where the addition, removal, or transformation of certain suffixes and prefixes can denote specific locations or family status.
Please note that multiple factors like local dialects and various periods of migrations influence the variation so all potential variations may not be listed. Also, the transliteration from Italian to other languages, such as English, Spanish or French, can result in different spellings of the same surname.
A surname index or genealogical research could help reveal more specific variations and connections to the original surname, Gentili.
Famous people with the name Gentili
- Fabio Gentili: a prominent Italian journalist and television presenter.
- Giulio Gentili: one of the leading figures of the 19th century Italian intellectual renaissance.
- Claudius Salmasius (Claude de Saumaise): a French classical scholar who was originally named Claude Gentil.
- Francesco Gentili: a political figure born in Apulia in 1907, who was involved in local government until retiring in 1965.
- Giulio Gentili-Tedeschi: an Italian architect and art historian from the 19th century.
- Celio Pictor Gentili: a Roman orator and writer who lived during the 2nd century AD.
- Enrico Gentili: an Italian college professor and author from the 18th century.
- Gian Gentili: a 15th century tapestry maker from Rome.
- Enzo Gentili: a professional football player from Recanati who died in 2015.
- Agostino Gentili: a painter, printmaker, and art historian who was born in Rome in the 17th century.