Longhi Surname in Italy

Longhi is a surname typical of northern Italy and is most likely linked to the medieval personal name Longus, from which patronymic and diminutive forms also developed. In some cases it may also have arisen as a nickname based on the word for “long,” probably referring to the ancestor’s height or slender build. Related surnames help distinguish this line from Longo, which is much more widespread throughout Italy, and from other variants such as Longa, Longato, Longatti, Longhetti and Longis, whose geographic patterns are more limited. Medieval records already show this type of surname formation in the 12th century, with examples from Lombardy.