Surname Manfrotto. - Meaning and Origin
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Manfrotto.: What does the surname Manfrotto. mean?
The last name Manfrotto is an Italian surname, primarily found in the former Republic of Venice - particularly in cities such as Verona and Venice. The name is thought to come from the Old Italian last name menafrauto, meaning “masters of the forge”, indicating a familial trade or profession involving the use of metalworking. This is also reflected in the modern spelling of the surname, “Manfrotto”, which means “little blacksmith”.
The original Manfrottos were likely blacksmiths and other metalworkers in the cities of Venice and Verona, as Venice was a major port, manufacturing hub, and exporter of high-quality metal products and arms. From the 12th century onwards, Venice was at the centre of the "Venetian Arsenal" or "Arsenalotti", a large network of armouries, workshops, and related facilities for the manufacturing of assorted maritime goods. So a family specialized in metal working - like the Manfrotto family - would have been especially viable in the Venice of old.
By the 16th century, the surname Manfrotto had spread throughout the Venetian Republic and was beginning to emerge in other, broadly Italian-speaking areas of Europe, including Switzerland and Germany. At the same time, Manfrottos were increasingly making their mark as entrepreneurs and businessmen, founders of successful and influential companies in various fields.
The Manfrotto family businesses eventually diversified into photography and camera accessories, where they have achieved worldwide recognition. This is also due to the drive and dedication of a single family member towards the success and growth of the family’s businesses, East Italian businessman and photographer Lino Manfrotto. He was born in Bassano del Grappa in 1949 and eventually founded “Lino Manfrotto & C. S.p.A” in 1973, now a world leader in the production of photographic supports.
In summary, the last name Manfrotto has a long and illustrious history, stretching back over 500 years and associated with the Old Italian last name menafrauto, meaning “masters of the forge”. The family has gone on to become vastly successful in the business and entrepreneurship world, specialising in the manufacturing of photography and camera accessories, as well as towards a host of other industries. A prime example of this success is founder Lino Manfrotto, who after building the family’s business from the ground up had enabled the name Manfrotto to become a household name in the photography world.
Order DNA origin analysisManfrotto.: Where does the name Manfrotto. come from?
The last name Manfrotto is an Italian surname and is still widely used in Italy today. It is a patronymic surname, derived from a given name. The exact etymology is unknown, but it is believed to be derived from “manfro”, an old Italian word with Germanic origins meaning “a machine that works with wind, a windmill”.
The Manfrotto surname has a variety of regionalized spellings. In the northern Italian regions of Trentino-Alto Adige, it can be found spelled as Manfròtt or Manfròtto. In the central Italian regions of Marche and Emilia-Romagna, it is found spelled as Manfretti or Manfretto. In the southern regions of Calabria and Puglia, the surname can be spelled as Manfrò, Manfròca, or Manfròce.
The Manfrotto surname is still especially common in the areas of Italy where it originated, including the northern and central regions. It is also found in other parts of Europe, such as the Netherlands, Germany, Eastern Europe, and France, as well as in Australia, the United States, and Canada.
In the past century, the Manfrotto surname has been borne by some notable people, both in the fields of the arts and sciences. Giuseppe Manfrotto (1864-1933) was an Italian mathematician, physicist and engineer; Gianfranco Manfrotto (1917-2009) was a writer, poet and literary critic; and Veronica Manfrotto (born in 1965) is an Italian film director, screenwriter, and producer.
Variations of the surname Manfrotto.
The surname Manfrotto is a variant spelling of the name Manfrone, which is an Italian and Lombard surname believed to have originally been derived from the Old German given name “Mannfrōr,” and may be found in some forms of the Latin designation “Manfro.” In conjunction with the variant spellings, other variations of the name Manfrotto include Manfredo, Manfrieri, Manfrioli, Manfromini, Mannfrotto, and Manfreta, among others. The name is most common among Italian-speaking populations, particularly in northern regions of Italy, such as Lombardy and Piedmont, as well as in certain regions of the United States that have populations of Italian heritage, such as New York, New Jersey, Massachusetts, and California. The wide range of variants that the Manfrotto surname encompasses is further demonstrated by its numerous associations with other surnames, such as Manfredi, Manfrini, Manfroni, and Manfroni, among others.
Additionally, while most of the surname has maintained its original spelling, there has been a tendency for some branches of the family to use alternative spellings within their family tree, which are characteristic of the region or area in which they live. For example, in Lombardy, some Italian Manfrotto families have adopted the alternate spellings “Manfroid” or “Manfre” over the generations. Other branches of the Manfrotto family have adopted similar spellings in other regions of the world, including “Manfrino” in the Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico and Venezuela; “Manfroni” in France; and “Manfre ”in Germany. In total, there are dozens of variants that have been associated with the Manfrotto surname throughout its history.
Famous people with the name Manfrotto.
- Antonio Manfrotto, an Italian film equipment designer and the founder of the Manfrotto Company.
- Frank Manfrotto, an American choreographer and dancer who has worked on Broadway and international productions.
- Domenico Manfrotto, an Italian photographer who has been a major influence in international photography, contributing to the development of color photography and portrait photography.
- Alberto Manfrotto, an Italian farmer in the Friuli-Venezia Giulia region who has been around since the 1950s to produce high quality agricultural products.
- Sergio Manfrotto, an Italian restaurateur whose famed restaurant, Manfrotto's, is renowned for its local cuisine.
- Luca Manfrotto, an Italian filmmaker who created the popular cult classic film "La Notte d'Oro" (The Golden Night).
- Marco Manfrotto, an Italian fashion designer who is known for his unique blend of classic silhouettes with modern influences.
- Franco Manfrotto, an Italian actor who starred in the films “La Notte d’Oro” and “L’Ultimo dei Manfrettos”.
- Augusto Manfrotto, an Italian sculptor who has national acclaim for his rustic, yet realistic reconstructions of animals.
- Paolo Manfrotto, an Italian photographer and photojournalist who has celebrated his work in documentary photography.