There are several definitions or origins for the surname Comito I have found in some of my research. In the first the surname Comito appears to be patronymical (father’s name) in Origin and means “one whose family was predominately wealthy.” The second reports the Comito family most likely took on this surname from the city of Como, in Lombardy. The name Como is also thought to have been a shortened form of the name Giacomo, the Italian equivalent to James.
The surname of COMITO was reported to be from the English given name James, which spread widely throughout Europe in many forms including JAQUEME, GIAMMELLI, IACOMELLI, COMELLO, and COMINOLI. The result of the popularity as a given name was largely due to the Authorized Version of the Bible (1611) the form James is used in the New Testament as the name of two of Christ's apostles (James the brother of John and James the brother of Andrew) whereas in the Old Testament the brother of Esau is called Jacob. The form James comes from the Latin JACOBUS.
Comito is thought to be a local name; that is, a surname derived from a place-name where the original bearer once resided or held land. Local names are also referred to as topographic surnames, which were given to a person who resided near a physical feature such as a hill, stream, church, or type of tree. Often Italian local surnames bore the prefix "di," which signified emigration from one place to another, but did not necessarily denote nobility.
Spelling variations of the family name include: Como, Comi, Comello, Comelli, Comèl, Comellini, Comelini, Comellato, Comiti, Comitti, Comici, Cominazzo, Cuomo, Cometto, Cometti, Comino, Comini, Comotti, Comolli. Comite, Comita, Comitos, and others.
First found in Como, a city and province in northern Italy near the Swiss border. It was originally a Roman colony, was home to Bishop Saint Felix of Como (d. ca. 390 AD,) and later
became an independent commune. The first of the name on record appears to be Elia Como of Padua province, who was the mayor of Castelbardo in 1489.
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This is a copy of the Coat of Arms that was made for the family when I was a teenager, about 40 years ago. My father’s cousin had a genealogist research the name and this what was provided. My father has the original in his home and I made a tracing of the original. He is in the midst of moving and it is packed away somewhere at the moment. In any case this is what the Coat Of Arms looks like with the appropriate colors.
Colors are as follows: Blue - truth and loyalty; Gold - generosity and elevation of the mind; Silver - peace and sincerity; Red - Warrior or martyr; Military strength and magnanimity.
The Compass is for direction; Star - celestial goodness, noble person, excellence; Eagle - Person of noble nature, strength, bravery, and alertness; or one who is high-spirited, ingenious, quick-witted, and judicious; "True magnanimity and strength of mind" acc. to Guillim.
If wings "displayed," it signifies protection.
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This is another Comito Coat of Arms I have found in a history of the family surname I acquired from Halbert’s Family Heritage. It is interesting to note the similarities in the two Coats of Arms.
The Comito coat of arms hereby illustrated is officially documented in CROLLALANZA y DIZTONARIO STORICO-BLASONICO.The original description of the arms (shield) is as follows:
"D'AZZURRO, AL PINO SRADICATO D'ORO, SORMONTATO DA TRE STELLE DELLO STESSO ORDINATE IN CAPO."
When translated the blazon also describes the original colors of the Comito arms as:
"BLUE; A GOLD UPROOTED PINE TREE SURMOUNTED BY THREE GOLD STARS PLACED SIDE-BY-SIDE IN THE UPPER THIRD." |
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This is the third rendition of the Comito Coat of Arms I have seen. This is the best copy I could acquire and while it is not very clear it does give a good idea of what is displayed on the shield. I personally like the first and feel it most accurately reflects our name.
Colors: Blue - truth and loyalty; Gold - generosity and elevation of the mind; White - peace and sincerity; Dancette Line (blue) - water
Arm - A person with qualities of leadership; Arrow - Readiness (for battle) |