indicate the level to which a name has been verified.
Type Surname (from occupation)
Usage Italian
Other Forms FormsBotticello, Battigello, Battigelli, Battiloro, Bottaio, Bottai
Meaning & History
Etymology uncertain. It can derive from the Italian word botte meaning "barrel" and from the occupation bottaio meaning "cooper". In the case of Sandro Botticelli it has probably another origin. Botticelli's older brother was a goldsmith, that in Florence was called battigello meaning "strike the gold" (literally as he was a goldsmith). That nickname passed to the whole family in the form Botticelli.