Meaning & History
Selvatici is an Italian surname, a cognate of the English Savage. It derives from the medieval Italian selvatico 'wild, savage', which from Latin silvaticus meaning 'of the woods' or 'wild'. The term was originally a nickname for someone thought to be wild or uncouth or who lived in a forested area.
Etymology
The root of the surname lies in the Latin word silva 'forest', giving rise to silvaticus 'woodland-dwelling'. In Old French this became salvage/sauvage 'wild, untamed', and entered Italian as selvaggio (variant selvatico). The surname various spellings reflect regional Italian dialects: Selvatici is typical of Tuscany and Emilia-Romagna, while Selvaggio is common in southern Italy and Salvatici is another central Italian form.
Notable Bearers
The surname has historical presence, particularly in the area of Pescia, Tuscany. Though not bearing famous individuals recorded in major biographical dictionaries, the name appears in Italian genealogical records continuously from the 15th century among land-owning and civic families.
Distribution
According to surname distribution studies, Selvatici is most concentrated in the provinces of Lucca and Pistoia in Tuscany, Italy. Within Europe, the name also appears in small numbers in Switzerland and France among Italian emigrant communities.
- Meaning: wild, savage; from the woods
- Origin: Italian from Latin silvaticus
- Type: Descriptor (nickname)
- Usage Regions: Italy (mainly Tuscany), small populations in Switzerland and France
Related Names
Sources: Forebears — selvatici