Grosso
A surname from Romance-language roots, often linked to “big” or “thick,” and also found as an Italian place- or family-name form.
The #8,148 most common surname in the United States (2010 Census) — about 1 in every 75,877 Americans shares it.
Etymology
Grosso is the Italian and Romance adjective meaning “big,” “large,” or “thick,” ultimately from Latin grossus, “coarse” or “thick.” As a surname, it most likely began as a nickname for a large person or one with a sturdy build, though in some cases it may also reflect a place-name or local form. The historical records cited also show medieval forms such as de Grosso in Norman and English contexts, suggesting that the spelling could arise in more than one Romance-speaking region.
History
Medieval records show the name in Normandy and England in forms like de Grosso, which points to early circulation in French-speaking areas as well as Italy. In modern times Grosso is especially familiar as an Italian surname, and it remains fairly common in Italy and among diaspora communities. Because the same form can come from descriptive, topographic, or regional usage, individual family lines may have different origins.
Origin
Regions
Variant spellings
Fun fact
The root behind Grosso is the same broad Romance word-family that produced forms meaning “big,” “coarse,” or “thick” in several languages.
From the historical record
“of the Conqueror. This illustrious name is properly latinized Magnus Venator, hut sometimes, absurdly, De Grosso Yenatore. GROTE. Perhaps Dutch groot, big of stature. See Groot. Grotc without prefix is in H.R.”
— Patronymica Britannica: a dictionary of the family names of the United Kingdom