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Widespread throughout northern Italy, it derives from a contraction of the word Capitanus. Historical information has been available since the Middle Ages, in a deed dated 1378: "Simonolus Zanini quidam Guidonis dicti Cattani"; in 1466 in Florence was born "... quidam Francesco de Zanobi Cattani de Diaccetto naquit ..", who was a pupil of Marsilio Ficino. In effect, this surname is related, etymologically, both with the Cattaneo and with the De Capitani and the Capitanio, having in common the derivation from the position of Capitaneo. (see Captains) additions provided by Giovanni Vezzelli At the base of the surname Cattani is the term 'cattaneo' or 'cattano', a medieval title given to the small vassals, to the commanders of fortifications and castles and to those who held administrative and judicial positions. The term can derive both from the Tuscan 'capitano' and from the Provencal 'captan' ("capo"). The scholar Lamberto Cesarini Sforza believes that, in Trentino, the Cattani family is originally from Denno, in the Val di Non. The surname is currently widespread throughout the Trentino.
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