Altamura is a locative surname derived from the city of Altamura in Apulia, southern Italy. The city's name itself is formed from the Italian words alta (‘high’) and mura (‘walls’), giving the meaning ‘high walls,’ a reference to the megalithic walls that once surrounded the ancient settlement.
Etymology
The surname Altamura is ultimately toponymic, originating from the place where the family lived or held land.
The city of Altamura was known in the Middle Ages for ,built on a hill of the Murge plateau.
Geographic Distribution
While most common in southern Italy, particularly in Apulia and Sicily, the surname has spread through Italian emigration to the Americas and other parts of Europe.
Notable Bearers
Notable individuals including:
Tutto Wikipedia
Variants and Related Names
Related surnames include those from the same locative type, such as Altamirano (Spanish form meaning ‘on the high wall’) Milana, however no direct variants are common.
- Meaning: From ‘high walls’
- Origin: Italian toponymic
- Type: Locative surname
- Region: Primarily southern Italy
Sources: Wikipedia — Altamura