Valentino
An Italian and Spanish surname ultimately from the Latin personal name Valentinus, meaning “strong” or “healthy.”
The #5,376 most common surname in the United States (2010 Census) — about 1 in every 47,690 Americans shares it.
Etymology
Valentino comes from the Latin name Valentinus, a form built on valens, meaning “strong,” “vigorous,” or “healthy.” As a surname, it usually began as a family name derived from a father’s personal name or from an ancestor called Valentine/Valentino. In Romance-language use, it is especially natural in Italian and Spanish contexts.
History
The historical excerpts point to Valentino as part of the wider Valentine/Valentin family of names used in medieval Europe, with Latin ecclesiastical and personal-name roots. In Italy and other Romance-speaking regions, it became established both as a given name and as a hereditary surname. In English-speaking countries it is most often found through immigration from Italian- or Spanish-speaking families.
Origin
Regions
Variant spellings
Fun fact
The same Latin root behind Valentino also underlies the familiar name Valentine, so the surname and the holiday name share a common origin.
From the historical record
“13th Cent. (;rp\v). Valentino. William \'aleutinu3 of Normandy, t Philip Au.u'Uitua (MSAX, V. 172). John and II--ary Valentin, Eiigl. c. 1272 (Vdl). Hence prob.ibly the names R.iILj- tiuo and B;'.a:i,ityne.”
— The Norman People and their existing descendants in the British dominions and the United States