Surname Opificius - Meaning and Origin
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Opificius: What does the surname Opificius mean?
The last name Opificius is derived from the Latin word 'OPIFEX', which can be translated to mean 'worker' or 'artisan'. In its most literal sense, the name could be associated with those who make or craft items. In Rome, the Opificius family would have had great social standing, as these craftsmen had a respected place within the community.
The name Opificius was once a title or a term of designation for workers, especially working-class individuals. In ancient Rome, the name usually carried a sense of pride as it was a mark of prestige, categorical possession and a badge of honor for Roman citizens. As such, Romans would use the term ‘Opificius’ to signify a certain skill at craftsmanship. It could also refer to those who held any special position or rank in the Roman military.
The title has since gained fame for those who wear the name Opificius with pride. Whether they are descended from the artisans of ancient Rome or whether they are just enthusiasts of the name, this surname has become synonymous with craft and skill. As such, today it represents a mark of distinction, creativity, and ingenuity applied to any profession.
Order DNA origin analysisOpificius: Where does the name Opificius come from?
Currently, the last name Opificius is quite uncommon. It does not rank in the top 1,000 most common surnames in any country and is extremely rare in most parts of the world.
The Opificius surname likely originated in Italy, as it appears as a Latin name prominent in Southern, Central, and Northern Italy during the early Middle Ages. During this time, surnames were primarily patronymic; a child frequently took the last name of their father. Variations of the name may include Opifizi, Opificio, Opifici, and Oppifici.
In more recent centuries, the surname has spread to other parts of Europe, the United States, and Canada. Records indicate the surname began cropping up in the United States as early as the late 1700s; later reports show that Opificius families have lived in both California and New York. In Canada, surnames indices show that the Opificius name is registered in Ontario and the Prairie Provinces, though in small numbers.
Though it is not as common as it was centuries ago, the Opificius surname lives on. The internet has made it easier to trace family histories, and websites such as Ancestry.com have helped to uncover archives for the last name Opificius. Genealogists have also used oral histories to track down information about the surname.
Variations of the surname Opificius
Opificius is an ancient Roman surname which has many variants over time, spelling changes, and translations to other languages. Common variants include Operius, Opificii, Opifi, Operina, and Opficii. Spellings such as Opificio and Opificio can also be found.
Originally from the Latin opificium for 'work or factory', the surname is likely of noble origin, first appearing in records as a Roman general during the first century AD. It was also a status name given to those involved in crafts or trade during the Renaissance era.
In some languages, the surname has been altered to reflect the language, such as Operio and Operi in Italian and Opficios and Operis in Spanish. It also was eventually anglicized as Operys, Opfice and Opphius in English.
Variants and spellings of Opificius are still found in many countries today, including Italy, Spain, France and Germany. In some parts of Europe, the surname is common among the nobility. It also remains popular among Dutch-speaking countries, such as the Netherlands and Belgium.
Over the centuries, the surname often was followed by other surnames of noble origin, such as Opificius Regalis, Opificius Magnificus, and Opificius Moderatus. Several branches of the Opificius family still exist today, such as the Italian, German, French, and Czech branches.
Famous people with the name Opificius
- Valerius Maximus: Roman historian and moralist, largely unknown except for his nine-volume work Facta et dicta memorābilia
- Publius Clodius Pulcher: Roman politician and supporter of the populist reforms of the 1st century BCE
- Lucius Cornelius Scipio Barbatus: a consular tribune in 293 and 282 BC and consulship in 279 BC.
- Cornelius Lentulus Clodianus: a Roman politician who was involved in legal proceedings against Julius Caesar
- Marcus Septimius Opificius: Ancient Roman rhetorician, head of the “Second Sophistic” movement of Greek learning in Rome.
- Aulus Fulvius Opificius: a Roman senator who lived in the 1st century BC
- Lucius Opificius: a Roman senator who served as curator of the Appian Way in the late 1st century BC.
- Lucius Quintus Opificius: a Roman politician who served as praetor in 68 BC
- Marcus Pomponius Opificius: a Roman statesman who was quaestor in 45 BC, praetor in 43 BC, and governor of Bithynia and Pontus in 41 BC.
- Titus Opificius: a Roman statesman who held a commission for an important judicial appointment in the provinces of Africa and Asia Minor in the 1st century BC.