De Magistris Surname in Italy

The surname De Magistris has roots in both Lombardy and the Naples area, while the very rare variant Demagistris appears to be of Piedmontese origin. The name derives from the Latin term 'magister', meaning a master craftsman; thus, De Magistris signifies those who belonged to the guild of master artisans. Historical records show the surname as early as the second half of the 13th century in Asti, with the notary Guglielmo De Magistris. Additional attestations are found in the 16th century in Bergamo and in the 17th century in Fusine (Sondrio), where Giovanni Pietro De Magistris served as the town's dean. These instances highlight a longstanding association with artisanal guilds and an ancient use of the surname across various Italian regions.