Surname Notarius - Meaning and Origin
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Notarius: What does the surname Notarius mean?
The surname Notarius is of Roman origin, and is carried by someone who likely had a history with notaries or who were themselves notaries of significance. Notary is a term used in many countries to identify a professional who can authenticate documents, often for legal purposes. The Latin root of Notarius means to note or record, making it an ideal profession for those who seek to professionally authenticate credentials, write legal documents, and other official documents or correspondence.
Notaries have been in use for centuries, helping to ensure that accurate and legal documents are created and dealt with in an appropriate fashion. To become a notary, one must pass a rigorous examination, as to be a Notarius was a very responsible job. As a result, Notarius was often an honorable and revered title that was passed down through families for many generations.
Today, the surname Notarius is still used by some with a history in the profession, or to denote the honor that has been passed along in the family. With the digital age, it is more common for documents to be submitted electronically, and the Notarius title may have been phased out in some countries. But, for those with the surname Notarius, it can be a symbol of pride and respect.
Order DNA origin analysisNotarius: Where does the name Notarius come from?
The last name Notarius is a Latin name, originating from the word notarius, meaning scribe or secretary. Today, the Notarius surname can be found primarily in Central and Eastern Europe, with a particularly large concentration in Romania. Historically this name was used for people who were employed as secretaries or scribes.
There are higher concentrations of this surname in countries which were formerly part of the Austro-Hungarian Empire. In Romania, records show the surname dates back to the 16th century in Transylvania and Moldavia, where it was most commonly used as an occupational name. Records of this surname in Hungary date back to the 13th century.
Throughout the 19th and 20th centuries, the Notarius surname spread by immigration and today it is most prevalent in countries such as Romania, France, Germany, Poland, the United States, and Israel. It is also found in other parts of the world such as Canada, South Africa, Brazil, and Argentina, as well as throughout the UK.
Today, the Notarius surname remains largely concentrated in Central and Eastern Europe, but it can be found throughout the world in various countries.
Variations of the surname Notarius
The surname Notarius is most commonly found as Notaras or Notaros, along with variant spellings such as Notarius, Noterus, Nōtarus, Notarius, Notar and Notario. Other Non-Latin forms of the surname, such as Notari, Notaro, Notario, Notour and Notariusse, have also been recorded.
Originating from the Latin term Notarius, meaning ‘public law officer’, this ancient surname was first adopted in 12th century Europe. Initially, ‘Notarius’ denoted a legal scholar who performed official rights, such as drawing up legal documents, or investigating evidence in cases to determine one’s guilt or innocence. The term ‘Notarius’ also referred to clerks of the court, or those appointed to certify documents. As such, the surname was most commonly adopted by those associated with the law.
The Notarius surname is primarily found amongst people of Greek background, due to its adoption by Byzantine scribes and jurists. Within the Greek Orthodox Church, the surname ‘Notaras’ is one of the most prominent aristocratic surnames in existence, and is also common among Greek-American descendants.
Today, Notarius is an uncommon surname, yet it can still be found in various countries, such as Greece, Italy, Cyprus, the United States, Canada, Australia, and the United Kingdom. In each case, the Notarius name is typically found as one of the variants mentioned earlier.
Famous people with the name Notarius
- Giulio Notarstefano: actor, director, and screenwriter
- Teresa Notarstefano: Italian musician
- Dave Notarus: American comedian
- Leslie Notaras: American film producer
- Roberto Notaras: Chilean actor
- Julieta Notaras: Argentinian actress
- Giuseppe Notaras: Italian theatre director
- Beverly Notaras: award-winning American painter
- Suba Notaras: Sri Lankan singer-songwriter
- Gina Notaras: Australian film director