Surnames given to abandoned children

The name trovatelli ("foundlings") is given to children abandoned at birth and registered as "found" by civil or religious institutions, which had to assign them a name and a surname. Among the surnames imposed on abandoned children, some recur with special frequency and became emblematic: Esposito, Proietti and Innocenti, followed by the derivatives of Trovato (the surname from which Trovatelli derives, and which gives this note its name) and others such as Colombo and Casadei.

To understand the history of many of our ancestors, we must know the reality of the "proietti" or "esposti" (abandoned children). Before the 19th century, the lack of resources meant that newborns were left on roads or in churches, facing a very high mortality. To curb this, Italy established a system of procedures and institutions. Many of the surnames that exist today arose in that context, whether by reference to the finding, to a place, to an institution or to symbolic values.

The historical and social framework in which these surnames originated is developed in detail in a separate note on the problem of child abandonment in the past.

Below we refer to other surnames granted to children who were found in these conditions.

Surnames documented in historical and academic sources

Surnames that explicitly indicate abandonment or finding

• Abbandonato (no relevant variants): a direct reference to the state of abandonment; cited by onomastics as a surname imposed in civil and parish registers – Zone of greatest frequency: southern Italy; today very infrequent.

• Gettatelli (variants: Gettatiello, Iettatiello): from the verb gettare ("to throw"), an explicit dialectal form of abandonment; cited by regional onomastics – Zone of greatest frequency: Tuscany and Campania; today very rare.

• Incerti (no relevant variants): from the Latin incerti patris, "of uncertain father"; clearly linked to the civil registration of children without known filiation – Zone of greatest frequency: Emilia-Romagna (Reggio Emilia, Modena).

• Orfano (variants: Orfani, Orfanelli): from the term "orphan"; used both for abandoned children and for the early loss of parents – Zone of greatest frequency: Abruzzo and central-southern Italy.

Surnames linked to institutions, hospitals or orphanages

• Alunni (variants: Alunno): from the Latin alumnus, "child raised"; a surname linked to children under institutional guardianship – Zone of greatest frequency: Umbria (Perugia).

• Dall'Ospedale (variants: Dallospedale): "of the hospital"; a circumstantial surname linked to the place of shelter – Zone of greatest frequency: Emilia-Romagna and northern Italy; very rare.

• Del Pio (variants: Dal Pio, Del Pio Luogo): a surname of institutional origin, derived from luogo pio (a charitable institution), with a marked auspicious-religious component, since it invokes protection and shelter for the child – Zone of greatest frequency: Veneto (Padua and surroundings).

• Della Pietà (variants: Della Pieta, Di Pietà): a reference to religious institutions dedicated to the Pietà, associated with the reception of foundlings – Zone of greatest frequency: Veneto and Friuli.

• Innocenti (variants: Degli Innocenti, Innocentini, Nocenti, Nocentini): a reference to the Spedale degli Innocenti; a classic institutional surname – Zone of greatest frequency: Tuscany, especially Florence.

• Santunione (no relevant variants): a reference to the Casa della Santunione, a charitable institution – Zone of greatest frequency: Emilia-Romagna (Modena).

Surnames of religious or symbolic inspiration

• Annunziata (related: Madonna): a reference to the Annunciation; an institutional surname of foundlings – Zone of greatest frequency: Campania.

• Di Dio (variants: Di Deo, Didio): a surname of symbolic filiation with a strong auspicious value, which entrusts the child to divine protection in the absence of known filiation; documented by De Felice among the surnames given to foundlings – Zone of greatest frequency: Sicily and southern Italy.

• Della Santa Casa (no relevant variants): a reference to religious houses of shelter – Zone of greatest frequency: Campania; a rare surname.

• Dello Spirito Santo (no relevant variants): a direct religious reference; an institutional and devotional surname – Zone of greatest frequency: Apulia; extremely rare.

• Dioguardi (variants: Di Guardi): a surname of explicit auspicious origin, derived from the devotional formula "Dio ti guardi" ("may God protect you"), used as a wish of protection for children of unknown filiation – Zone of greatest frequency: Sicily, Apulia and Lazio.

• Diotallevi (variants: Diotisalvi, Diotisalvo): a surname formed from clearly auspicious and religious formulas ("Dio ti allevi / Dio ti salvi", "may God raise you / may God save you"), typical of the sphere of foundlings, where the name expresses a wish of upbringing, salvation and care – Zone of greatest frequency: the Marche, Umbria and Lazio.

• Madonna (related: Annunziata): a Marian reference; a surname linked to institutions such as the Real Casa dell'Annunziata – Zone of greatest frequency: Campania (Naples).

• Preti (no relevant variants): "priests"; it may derive from a trade or from an institutional context – Zone of greatest frequency: northern Italy.

• Servadio (variants: Laudadio, Donadio): a surname of auspicious-devotional origin, built on expressions of wish and divine protection ("Dio lo dia / Dio lo salvi"), used in contexts of abandonment or unknown filiation – Zone of greatest frequency: central-southern Italy.

Auspicious or well-wishing surnames

• Benvenuto (no relevant variants): auspicious ("welcome"), used as a surname imposed on abandoned children – Zone of greatest frequency: several regions of the centre-north.

• Bentivoglio (no relevant variants): "I wish you well"; cited as auspicious, although also a noble surname – Zone of greatest frequency: central-northern Italy.

• Conforti (no relevant variants): "comfort"; a surname of wide use, cited also in contexts of abandonment – Zone of greatest frequency: centre-south.

• Dell'Amore (related: D'Amore): an affectionate and auspicious formula – Zone of greatest frequency: Romagna and centre-south.

• Fortuna (variants: Fortunati): a wish of good luck; cited among the surnames given to foundlings, although not exclusive – Zone of greatest frequency: central and southern Italy.

• Liberato (no relevant variants): a surname of clear auspicious value, alluding symbolically to the child's "liberation" from the condition of abandonment. Although it could be used as a circumstantial surname, it expresses a wish of a new beginning and a favourable destiny – Zone of greatest frequency: southern Italy.

• Ventura (variants: Venturini, Venturino): "fortune", a favourable destiny; an auspicious surname also used for foundlings – Zone of greatest frequency: central-northern Italy.

Surnames linked to place, time or circumstance

• Aprile / Marzo / Novembre / Settembrini / Decembrini: surnames of temporal reference which, besides indicating the month of birth or finding, may take on a symbolic or auspicious value, though not systematically – Zone of greatest frequency: several regions; scattered distribution.

• Chiesa (no relevant variants): a reference to the finding in a church – Zone of greatest frequency: northern Italy.

• Da Ponte (variants: Aponte, Diponte): a reference to the place of finding – Zone of greatest frequency: northern and central Italy.

• Dalla Piazza (variants: Dipiazza): a reference to the finding in a square – Zone of greatest frequency: northern Italy; rare.

• Martedì (variants: Martedi): a reference to the day of finding – Zone of greatest frequency: northern Italy; very rare.

• Pasquali (no relevant variants): a surname of temporal reference (Easter) that incorporates a clear auspicious value, associated with rebirth, new life and hope, especially when assigned to children found on that date – Zone of greatest frequency: central-northern Italy.

• Primo (related: Ottavo): a reference to the order or date of birth – Zone of greatest frequency: northern Italy; very rare.

• Rota (no relevant variants): a direct reference to the ruota degli esposti (the foundling wheel); a circumstantial surname – Zone of greatest frequency: northern Italy (Lombardy and Veneto).

• Silvestrini (no relevant variants): a surname linked to the calendar (1 January, Saint Sylvester), with a symbolic and auspicious sense of beginning and renewal, beyond its circumstantial function – Zone of greatest frequency: central Italy.

Surnames contributed by the community

Cases documented in local archives, parish registers or family accounts; not always cited by the general onomastic bibliography.

Surnames that explicitly indicate abandonment or finding

• Rifiuti: a direct reference to abandonment ("refuse"); an exceptional and strongly stigmatizing surname documented in local registers – Zone: central Italy (isolated cases).

Surnames linked to institutions, shelters or administrative origin

• Credito: a possible administrative or symbolic reference ("trust", "register"); an institutionally created surname – Zone: northern Italy (specific cases).

• Datore: "the one who gives"; an institutional or auspicious interpretation linked to the handing over of the child – Zone: central Italy.

• Pedrocchi: a surname taken from a local reference (a building, benefactor or institution) – Zone: Veneto.

• Quatrittoni: a derivation from the surname of the parish priest or official responsible for the registration – Zone: northern Italy.

• Santolli (no relevant variants): a surname of local religious reference which, besides its possible institutional origin, presents an auspicious value, linked to the invocation of spiritual protection – Zone of greatest frequency: Lombardy (Pavia).

Surnames of religious or symbolic inspiration

• Del Timore: a moral-religious reference ("fear of God"); a surname of institutional creation – Zone: central Italy.

• Innolenti: a local variant of Innocenti, with a symbolic and auspicious charge, associated with Florentine reception institutions; the surname reinforces the idea of the child's innocence and protection – Zone of greatest frequency: Tuscany.

• Nolasco: a reference to Saint Peter Nolasco, a saint linked to redemption and protection – Zone: southern Italy.

• Penitente: a moral-religious reference; an exceptional surname – Zone: central Italy.

• Untuosi: a term of strong religious charge; a unique surname documented in local registers – Zone: Tuscany (Livorno).

Auspicious, affectionate or well-wishing surnames

• Allegro: an auspicious adjective ("cheerful"); a possible wish of a good destiny – Zone: central-northern Italy.

• Amali: a phonetic creation without a clear etymology; an auspicious interpretation – Zone: Veneto.

• Amato: "beloved"; an auspicious surname also present outside the context of abandonment – Zone: southern Italy.

• Benvenuto: "welcome"; used as a surname imposed in cases of foundlings – Zone: several regions of the centre-north.

• Consiglio: auspicious ("counsel", "protection") – Zone: southern Italy.

• Festino / Festini: a reference to a feast day or to the circumstance of the finding – Zone: northern Italy.

• Mirando: a verbal form with an auspicious value ("looking ahead") – Zone: central Italy.

• Nuovavia: "new way"; an explicit auspicious creation – Zone: central Italy.

• Sorridente: auspicious ("smiling") – Zone: central Italy.

• Vivici: auspicious ("live"); a symbolic creation – Zone: central Italy.

Surnames linked to objects, nature or circumstances

• Birra: an everyday object; a rare surname assigned institutionally – Zone: northern Italy.

• Bottiglia: an everyday object; documented in registers of brefotrofi (foundling hospitals) – Zone: Trentino.

• Ginepro: a plant name (juniper); a rare surname of institutional creation – Zone: central Italy.

• Lentischio: a plant name (mastic); a local assignment – Zone: Sardinia.

• Litri: a unit of measure; an administrative creation – Zone: central Italy.

• Mirto: a symbolic plant (myrtle); an institutional assignment – Zone: southern Italy.

• Nebbia: a climatic circumstance of the finding – Zone: northern Italy.

• Nebbioso / Nevoso: climate or season; extremely rare surnames – Zone: northern Italy.

• Notturno: a reference to a nocturnal finding – Zone: central Italy.

• Porco: a derogatory appellative; an example of offensive surnames imposed – Zone: central Italy.

• Spettri: a symbolic reference; a very rare surname – Zone: Emilia-Romagna.

• Tepore: a climatic circumstance; an auspicious creation – Zone: central Italy.

• Timo: an aromatic plant (thyme); an institutional assignment – Zone: central Italy.

• Tronco: an object or physical trait; a rare surname – Zone: central Italy.

• Zaini: an everyday object ("backpacks") – Zone: Trentino.

Surnames created artificially or by inversion

• Illirg: an artificial creation without its own etymology – Zone: northern Italy.

• Issor: an inversion of the surname Rossi; a deliberate creation to avoid identification – Zone: northern Italy.

• Itteilag: an inversion of the surname Galietti; a documented case – Zone: northern Italy.

Unique or exceptional surnames

• Albio: a creation without a clear etymological base; a unique surname – Zone: central Italy.

• Erizzoni: an isolated phonetic creation – Zone: Tuscany.

• Lellori: a surname on the way to extinction; a local creation – Zone: Tuscany.

• Oloferne: a biblical name used as a surname; an exceptional case – Zone: central Italy.

• Tullolino: a diminutive created administratively – Zone: southern Italy.

• Urico: a creation without a clear etymological base – Zone: southern Italy.

• Volga: the name of a foreign river; part of series of geographical surnames – Zone: Sardinia.