Galante
A surname of Romance origin meaning “courteous,” “elegant,” or “chivalrous.”
The #8,217 most common surname in the United States (2010 Census) — about 1 in every 76,460 Americans shares it.
Etymology
Galante comes from a Romance adjective meaning polite, refined, or courtly, ultimately from a word for “gallant” or “graceful.” In Italian and French especially, it could describe someone who was courteous, fashionable, or attentive to women. As a surname, it likely began as a nickname for a man known for such mannerly or stylish behavior.
History
The name is found in several Romance-speaking areas, especially Italy, and also appears in French and Spanish contexts because the underlying word is widespread across those languages. Surnames of this type often became hereditary in the late medieval or early modern period. In some cases it may also have been adopted or reshaped by migration between Italy, France, and the Spanish-speaking world.
Origin
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Variant spellings
Fun fact
The French phrase femme galante once meant a woman of graceful or flirtatious manner, showing how broad the word’s social meaning could be.
From the historical record
“(bon), vil« siècle; 1» Godde signi- fiait enfin amante, paresseuse, femme galante (oil). Godecaux. F. de Godchau. (Voy. ce nom.) La finale eaux confirmerait notre étymologie (Godcscal).”
— Dictionnaire des noms (French surnames)