Surname Torquat - Meaning and Origin
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Torquat: What does the surname Torquat mean?
The surname Torquat is believed to have originated during the Middle Ages, and derived from a French old personal name "Torquat." It may have arisen from a Germanic word meaning "valor," or alternatively from the Latin name 'Turcatius' or 'Turquatius' which derived from the Latin 'turcare,' meaning “to take charge of” or “to control”.
In the Middle Ages, surname derivations were most often occupational or location-based. Therefore, Torquat may have initially referred to someone who held a position of authority or who owned a piece of land. Alternately, the name could have referred to an ancestor who was highly respected or held important positions of power. The name may also have been given to those who had distinguished themselves in the annual tournaments held on the estate of their feudal lord.
Throughout the 12th to 15th centuries, Torquat was an increasingly popular name in France, where it was most often recorded in royal records. The name eventually spread throughout Europe, with notable bearers including the Torquat dynasty of Scotland during the early 1600s and prominent members of 18th century English and Irish societies.
Today, the surname Torquat continues to be popular in Europe as well as North America to some extent. Those bearing the surname Torquat are known to be similarly proud of their ancestry and the legacy associated with their surname. It is not uncommon to see Torquat families still gathering for regular reunions, confirming the rich and long history of the Torquat name throughout the generations.
Order DNA origin analysisTorquat: Where does the name Torquat come from?
The last name Torquat is primarily found in the France today. It is a French-surname, and is derived from the Latin name Torquatus. The name means ‘armed with a neck-ring’ or ‘to be harnessed’. This was an ancient symbol of power and prestige.
In France, the name Torquat is most common in the Lorraine region in the Grand Est. It is also found in larger numbers in Northern France in places like Picardy and in central-western France in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region.
Beyond France, the last name Torquat has spread to French-speaking countries such as Canada and Belgium, particularly in the Francophone regions of each nation. The name is also found in other countries outside of the French-speaking world, such as Norway, the United States and Mexico, but in much lower numbers.
Today, Torquat is a fairly infrequent last name, yet its presence stretches across four continents and has remained strong in some of its original home regions.
Variations of the surname Torquat
Torquat is a surname of French origin. Variants of the name include Torquay, Torquato, Torquatti, and Torquetti. The meaning of the name is rooted in a Latin word that means “twisted,” referring to a helix or spiral shape. The alternative spelling of the name is Tourquat.
Surnames of the same origin include Courquet, Torsquet, Torcato, Torquet, Torcatti, Torcart, and Torclet. These names share a similar meaning and likely come from the same European origin. Variations of the name could also be the result of regional and cultural differences.
Other surnames that may come from the same root include Tornati, Torquete, Torqueti, Torqueddu, and Torchia. These names are less common but may be found in different parts of Europe.
Variations of the name Torquat can be found in various countries including France, Italy, and Spain. In France, the name can be found as Torque or Torquate, while in Italy, it is Torquato or Torquati. Spaniards may have the name Torquete, Torquete, or Torquetti.
Many derivatives of the name are also used as forenames, such as Torquil, Torquatus, Torcuato, and the female form Torquata.
The surname Torquat is a popular one, with hundreds of families sharing the same name. Despite the wide variety of spellings and regional variants, all versions of the name are ultimately linked to the same Latin root.
Famous people with the name Torquat
- Baron Carlos Torquato de Almeida Jr.: Brazilian businessman and philanthropist
- Eloi Torquato da Silva: former Brazilian football player
- Evandro da Silva Torquato: former Brazilian football player
- Robert Torquato: American actor, writer, singer, and director
- Marcus Vinícius Torquato de Almeida: Brazilian footballer
- Gloria Pires Torquato: Brazilian actress and singer
- Angel Torquato: Venezuelan singer
- Franklin Torquato: Brazilian politician
- Deonise Torquato: Brazilian violinist
- Thor Torquato: Brazilian Christian singer and songwriter