SHOEMAKERS AT THE TOP!
EXCERPT: In doing this, the economists found evidence of a 'glass floor' that keeps the rich from losing their status, reporting that the top earning surnames in modern Florence had already achieved this high status six centuries ago, while the lowest earners have long stayed below the median.
and
Italian names are derived from a number of sources, the economists explain.
Some were created from the father's name, using a Latin genitive or formed with a preposition. So 'Mattei' would mean 'son of Matteo,' while 'Di Matteo' or 'De Matteo' mean this as well.
Surnames also stem from origin, they explain, including habitat, specific places, and nearby landmarks.
Examples include Della Valle ('of the valley'), Romano ('Roman'), and Piazza ('Square').
Or, some surnames are born from occupation, including Medici ('medical doctors'), Martelli ('hammer') or Forni ('ovens').
Surnames can also come from nicknames given on the basis of physical attributes, like Basso ('short') or Grasso ('fat').
Based on this informational content, along with geographical localization, the researchers created 'pseudo-links' between ancestors and their modern descendants.
'For example,' they write, 'current taxpayers with surnames such as 'Mattei', 'De Matteo' or 'Di Matteo' are all considered descendants of 'Matteo'.
The surnames included in the data were 'highly Florence-specific,' the economists say.
