Viviani Surname in Italy

Viviani comes from the late Latin personal name Vivianus, of Gallic origin, used in Italy as an auspicious name meaning “long life for the newborn.” The surname established itself between the 11th and 12th centuries, and its spread was also encouraged by the name Vivien, frequent in French epic and chivalric literature. Medieval records already attest to the name in the 12th century, with examples from Lombardy and Florence. As a surname, Viviani is characteristic of eastern Lombardy and the Verona area, with another important concentration along the belt from La Spezia to Florence. In Veneto it has a long-standing presence, especially in the Vicenza and Venice areas, while the overall picture also shows strong diffusion in Tuscany and other parts of central and northern Italy. It should be distinguished from the related forms Vivian, Viviana and Viviano, which have different main areas of concentration.