Matarazzo

The surname Matarazzo originated in Italy, specifically from the southern regions of Campania and Calabria. The name is derived from the Italian word "matarazzo," which means "mattress maker" or "maker of mattresses." This occupational surname is believed to have first emerged in the 12th or 13th century.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the surname Matarazzo can be found in the Codice Diplomatico Barese, a collection of documents from the city of Bari, dating back to the year 1204. In these records, a person named Jacobus Matarazzo is mentioned, indicating the presence of the surname in the region during that time.

The Matarazzo surname has also been documented in various other historical records, such as the Rationes Decimarum Italiae, a tax record from the late 13th century. This suggests that the Matarazzo family was established and involved in the mattress-making trade during the medieval period.

In the 15th century, a notable figure named Niccolò Matarazzo (born around 1435) lived in the city of Perugia. He was a prominent merchant and author who wrote a chronicle known as the "Cronaca di Niccolò Matarazzo," which provides valuable insights into the social and political life of Perugia during the Renaissance.

Another prominent individual with the Matarazzo surname was Francesco Matarazzo (1443-1518), a renowned Italian architect and sculptor from Siena. He was responsible for designing and constructing several significant buildings, including the Palazzo Piccolomini in Pienza.

During the 16th century, the Matarazzo family established themselves in the Kingdom of Naples, where they became involved in various commercial and banking activities. One notable member was Girolamo Matarazzo (1520-1585), a wealthy banker and merchant who played a crucial role in the economic affairs of the region.

In the 19th century, the Matarazzo surname gained prominence in Brazil, where several members of the family emigrated and established successful businesses. One of the most notable figures was Francesco Matarazzo (1854-1937), an Italian-Brazilian industrialist who founded the Matarazzo Group, one of the largest industrial conglomerates in Latin America at the time.

As the surname Matarazzo spread across various regions and countries, it underwent slight variations in spelling, such as Mataraso, Matarazi, and Matarazi. However, the core meaning and origin remained tied to the occupation of mattress-making, reflecting the historical roots of this Italian surname.