The Italian family name Turchetti is classified as being of nickname origin. Surnames which are derived from a nickname are said to constitute one of the widest and most varied class of family names. This particular category encompasses many different types of origin. The most obvious are those names which are based on a physical characteristic or personal attribute of the initial bearer. In this particular instance, the surname Turchetti is derived from the medieval ethnic nickname Turco meaning "Turk" and the diminutive suffix "-etti". In the Middle Ages, this name often referred to a Muslim, non-Christian or Saracen, who was considered a fierce, cruel person. Thus the original bearer of this name was known by members of his community as the "cruel or fierce one". Variants of the surname Turchetti include Turco and Turchi.
One of the earliest references to this name or to a variant is a record of one Alessandro Turchi, son of Santi Santo and Agnesa Turchi, who was born in Rigomagna, Siena, Italy, August 12, 1689. However, research is of course on going and this name may have been documented even earlier than the date indicated above. Rosa Turchetti and Julius Gobatti were married in the church of San Giorgio, Bergantino, Rovigo, Italy, February 10, 1801. Antonio Domenico F. Turchetti,Flaminio Antonio Turchetti and Maria Maddalena Turchetti, children of Bartolomea Turchetti and Caterinal Degni, were born in Castiglione D'Orcia, Siena, Italy, July 23, 1719, May 24, 1721 and January 2, 1726, respectively. Notable bearers of the surname Turchetti include the seventeenth century sculptor, Zerbina Turchetti and the nineteenth century medical doctor, Eduardo Turchetti. The coat-of-arms described below was granted to the Turchetti family from Padua.

Coat of Arms: Gules, a bend azure, charged with a lion-leopard of the field.

Translation: Gules (red) denotes Fortitude.

CREST: An eagle displayed sable, crowned or.

ORIGIN: ITALY