Ratti is an Italian surname derived from the Italian word ratto, meaning "rat". The name likely originated as a nickname for someone thought to be sly, cunning, or sneaky, traits stereotypically associated with rats. As a hereditary surname, Ratti would have been passed down from the original bearer to descendants.
The surname is most common in northern Italy, particularly in the regions of Lombardy, Piedmont, and Liguria. Italian surnames often reflect physical characteristics, occupations, or animal traits, and Ratti fits this pattern of descriptive nicknames that became fixed family names.
Notable bearers include Italian Roman Catholic Cardinal Lorenzo Ratti (1582–1630), who served as apostolic nuncio to several countries; and Italian theologian and librarian Caterina Ratti (fl. 20th century). Among modern figures, the name is also known by Italian-American chef and restaurateur Tony Ratti.
Outside Italy, the surname spread through emigration, especially to the United States. According to the 2010 United States Census, Ratti is the 20,139th most common surname in the country, held by about 1,326 individuals. In the U.S., the name is most frequently found among White (76.09%) and Asian/Pacific Islander (13.95%) populations, the latter likely reflecting some bearers of Indian descent (the name Ratti also exists as a Kannada surname in India, though with a different etymological root from another word meaning “rat”).
Etymology
The root word ratto comes from Latin rattus, thought to be imitative of a rat's chattering sound. As a nickname, it belonged to the widespread Germanic-derived Italian onomastic tradition of assigning animal-based charakteristics as surnames.
- Meaning: “rat” (nickname for a sly person)
- Origin: Italian
- Type: Surname
- Regions: Italy (especially northern regions), United States, Canada, Argentina
Sources: Wiktionary — Ratti