Cataldo
An Italian surname from the personal name Cataldo, ultimately tied to an early saintly name in southern Italy.
The #7,104 most common surname in the United States (2010 Census) — about 1 in every 65,537 Americans shares it.
Etymology
Cataldo is an Italian surname derived from the given name Cataldo, especially familiar in southern Italy. The personal name is associated with Saint Cataldus of Taranto, an early medieval bishop whose cult helped spread the name in Italy. The deeper origin of the saint’s name is often linked to a Greek form, but its exact linguistic source is not fully settled.
History
The surname is most common in Italy and in Italian-descended communities abroad, especially where southern Italian families emigrated. As with many Italian surnames, it began as a family-name based on an ancestor’s baptismal name rather than a descriptive nickname or occupation. Modern bearers often trace the name to regions with strong devotion to Saint Cataldo, particularly Apulia and nearby areas.
Origin
Regions
Variant spellings
Fun fact
The town of San Cataldo in Sicily takes its name from the same saintly tradition that helped popularize the surname.