Surname Fontane - Meaning and Origin

Fontane: What does the surname Fontane mean?

The origin of the surname Fontane is from Latin, originally stemming from the Latin convallis which is a word meaning valley or hollow. In the south of Italy, where this surname is commonly found, it is believed that the family originally came from countries surrounding the Mediterranean.

Fontane was a common given name amongst Italian nobility and eventually it was adopted as a surname. As the country's regional dialects changed, the spelling of the name also changed, from Fontana, Fonana, Fontan, and Fontanis. It is also believed that this surname is derived from a patronymic name, meaning ‘son of Fontana’.

As is common with Italian surnames, Fontane is closely associated with the regions of its origin, particularly regions such as Puglia in the south of the country, particularly the cities of Taranto and Bari.

The original meaning of Fontane is believed to be ‘valley’ or ‘hollow’, which is symbolic of the family’s connection to the Mare Nostrum, the Great Sea of the Mediterranean, under which a significant part of the Fontane family’s heritage is related. The name Fontane has come to represent a proud family, a loyal history, with an eye towards the past and a bright future.

Fontane: Where does the name Fontane come from?

The last name Fontane is most commonly found in the United States, Italy, Germany, and France.

In the United States, around 2000 people bear the last name. Most concentrations of Fontane in the US are concentrated in New York, Florida, New Jersey, Texas, and California. The census does not provide exact numbers due to privacy laws, but it can be assumed that the majority of Fontane living in the US today are descended from Italian immigrants.

In Italy, the Fontane name is most common in the south, particularly in the regions of Calabria and Sicily. Especially in Sicily, the surname is quite common. Many Italian Fontanes are believed to be associated with noble families tracing their origins to Verona or Venezia centuries ago.

In Germany, the Fontane name is most frequently found in the East. Most likely, the Fontanes found in Germany are descended from Huguenots, Protestant French refugees who fled to German lands in the 16th and 17th centuries, fleeing persecution.

In France, Fontanes are most often found in the north, though is has been suggested that the name may have some Jewish origins.

In summary, the last name Fontane is most commonly found in the United States, Italy, Germany, and France. It is thought to be of either Italian or French origin, but each country likely has its own unique story that may trace the family's origins.

Variations of the surname Fontane

The surname Fontane has many variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin. Some of the variants of Fontane include Fontan, Fontana, Fontanelle, Fontaneaux, Fontaney, Fontany, Fontein, Fonteinne, Fountaine, Founten and Funtaine.

Fontane is an Italian surname derived from the Latin word ‘fontana’, which means fountain. It is thought to be a nickname for someone who lived near a fountain. In other parts of Europe, the surname is also thought to have originated from the mythical fountain of youth, so the nickname may also have referred to someone who was full of life and vigor.

Fontane is also thought to be related to the French surname Fontaine, meaning fountain. It is derived from the Latin word ‘fons’, meaning fountain. This surname may have originated from a village or district near a fountain.

In Spain, the name may come from the Spanish word ‘fuente’, meaning fountain, or from the Basque word ‘funtain’. The use of the name then spread to Latin America due to Spanish and Portuguese colonization.

In Germany, Fontein is a variant of Fontane, and Funtaine is used in France. The ‘-eaux’ variant of Fontane also exists in French-speaking countries, such as Belgium.

The spelling of Fontane also varies greatly, with spellings such as Fontan, Fontane, Fontanelle, Fontana, Fontaney, Fontany, Fontein, Fonteinne, Fountaine, Founten, and Funtaine all being seen.

Overall, there are many variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin for the surname Fontane. This makes it quite an interesting surname to trace the history of.

Famous people with the name Fontane

• Arianne Fontanez: Puerto Rican actress, singer, and model
• Zendaya Maree Stoermer Coleman: American actress, singer, and dancer
• Denise J. Fontaine: Author and professor at the University of Miami
• Patricio Fontanez: Spanish singer and actor
• Juan Fontanez: Puerto Rican journalist
• Marco Antonio Fontaine: Chilean actor
• Walter Fontane: Argentine singer
• Santos "Taco" Fontane: Peruvian indian musician
• Maria Fontane: Venezuelan actress
• Fanny Fontane: Venezuelan singer

Other surnames

Fontaine