Diodato Surname in Italy

The surname Diodato originates from the medieval auspicious name Deodatus, documented as early as the year 715 in the Lombard Diplomatic Code. Related variants have distinct geographical roots across Italy: Deodati is typical of the province of Rome, whereas Deodato is primarily found in south-central Calabria, especially Ionadi (VV). The form Di Dato is common in the Naples area, including Naples itself, Portici, San Giorgio a Cremano, Ercolano, and also Angri in the Salerno province. Didato, very rare, is also present here. Diodati appears in several areas, such as Lucca, Pescara, Rome, Caserta, and Cosenza. The rarer Diodato surname has clusters in the Chieti area and along the Campanian coastline. These surnames most likely derive from ancient personal names or nicknames, sometimes assigned to foundlings. Historical records confirm the presence of the Diodati surname in Lucca in the 1500s through the dignitary Michele Diodati, notable for having Emperor Charles V as the godfather of his son and for the baptism ceremony conducted by Pope Paul III.