Marchese
An Italian surname meaning “marquis” or “nobleman,” originally a title of rank that later became hereditary as a family name.
The #5,229 most common surname in the United States (2010 Census) — about 1 in every 46,289 Americans shares it.
Etymology
Marchese comes from Italian marchese, the word for a marquis, a rank of nobility. The Italian term ultimately goes back to Latin marchesus / marchio, connected with the idea of a marcher or border lord. As a surname, it likely began as a hereditary family name for someone associated with that title, or for a person in the service of a marquis. In some cases it may also have arisen as a nickname for someone who behaved like, worked for, or was connected with a noble household.
History
The name is especially associated with Italy and Italian diaspora communities. Like many surnames taken from titles of rank, it could be adopted by families connected with noble administration or used more loosely as a status-based nickname before becoming fixed. It is relatively well established in southern and central Italy and is found abroad through later emigration.
Origin
Regions
Variant spellings
Fun fact
The same root that gave English the word “marquis” also lies behind this surname, so Marchese is literally a name built from nobility.
From the historical record
“Marchaia 364. Marchand 637. Marchese 273. Marcia 108. Marcianus 108, 541. *Marcidava 458. Marcipor 58. Marcius 541.”
— Die Personennamen, insbesondere die Familiennamen