The name Tony is a diminutive form of the Roman family name Antonius, which is derived from the Ancient Roman name Antonius. The name Antonius is believed to have originated from the Antonii, a respectable family in ancient Rome that can be traced back to the 3rd century BC. The root of the name is likely from the Greek word "anthos," meaning flower or blossom.

The name Antonius is mentioned in several ancient texts and historical records from the Roman era. One of the most notable historical figures with this name was Marcus Antonius, a Roman politician and general who was a key figure in the Roman Republic's transition to the Roman Empire. He lived from 83 BC to 30 BC and was a member of the Second Triumvirate, along with Octavian and Lepidus.

Another famous Antonius was the Roman emperor Antoninus Pius, who ruled from 138 AD to 161 AD. He was known for his peaceful reign and for promoting the prosperity of the Roman Empire. During his time, the name Antonius became more widespread and popular among the Roman population.

As the name Antonius spread throughout Europe during the Middle Ages, it evolved into various forms and diminutives, including Tony. One of the earliest recorded examples of the diminutive Tony was in the 13th century, referring to a man named Tony de Saulnay in France.

Throughout history, there have been several notable individuals with the first name Tony. One of the most famous was Tony Blair, the British Prime Minister who served from 1997 to 2007. Other notable individuals include Tony Hawk, the professional skateboarder, born in 1968; Tony Robbins, the motivational speaker and self-help author, born in 1960; Tony Bennett, the American singer and painter, born in 1926; and Tony Soprano, the fictional character from the HBO series "The Sopranos," which aired from 1999 to 2007.