Abbaticchio is an Italian surname of occupational origin meaning "little abbot". It is derived from Italian abate (abbot) combined with the diminutive suffix -icchio, which comes from Latin -iculus. The name thus originally referred to a young abbot or a servant in an abbey. Cognate forms in other languages include English Abbott and German Abt. Notable Bearers The most famous bearer of the surname is Ed Abbaticchio (1877–1957), a pioneering Italian-American athlete. According to Wikipedia, he was the first Major League Baseball player and first professional football player of Italian ancestry. Born in Latrobe, Pennsylvania, Abbaticchio played in MLB for the Philadelphia Phillies, Boston Beaneaters, Pittsburgh Pirates, and Boston Doves between 1897 and 1910. He later played professional football for the Latrobe Athletic Association and Canton Bulldogs. His multi-sport career exemplifies the early crossovers between baseball and football in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Variants and Distribution Abbaticchio is closely related to other Italian surnames sharing the root Abate, Abbate, Abbà, Abbadelli, and Abbatelli. The geographic distribution of Abbaticchio is concentrated in Italy, particularly in the southern region of Apulia (Puglia), and its diaspora, notably in the United States. The suffix -icchio is common in Southern Italian dialects, indicating a strong local onomastic tradition. Meaning: "little abbot", from Italian abate + diminutive suffix -icchio Origin: Italian (occupational nickname) Type: Surname Usage: Italian, Italian-American