Tarantino Surname in Italy

The surname Tarantino originates from the ethnonym linked to the city of Taranto, appearing both in its modern form "tarantino" and the medieval Latin form "tarentinus." Its primary roots lie in the Apulia region, notably within the provinces of Bari, Taranto, Brindisi, and Lecce. Smaller branches exist in Piceno, the Teatino area, and Rome. The variant Tarentini is specific to Manduria in the Taranto area. Less common forms such as Tarentino likely result from transcription errors. The rare surnames Terentini and Terentino are considered altered versions of the original names. Historical references include Heraclides Tarentinus, a physician in Alexandria, and Stefanus Tarantinus, one of the sailors involved in bringing Saint Nicholas's relics to Bari in 1087. Records also show Carolus Tarantinus in Naples during the 1600s.