Cicero (surname)

Cicero is a Roman cognomen, a type of surname, derived from the Latin word cicer, meaning chickpea. It originated as an agnomen, a descriptive nickname, and later became a hereditary family name. The most famous bearer of the name was Marcus Tullius Cicero, the Roman statesman, orator, lawyer, and philosopher.

Origin and Meaning

The etymology of the name is generally accepted to derive from an ancestor of Marcus Tullius Cicero who had a split or wart resembling a chickpea on his face. While some Ciceros may have taken the name from working as chickpea farmers or traders, the facial disfigurement explanation is the most widely accepted. Roman names were often descriptive and even humorous.

Notable Individuals with the Surname

• Marcus Tullius Cicero (106-43 BC): The most famous bearer of the name, a Roman statesman, orator, lawyer, philosopher, and writer. His works on rhetoric, philosophy, and politics are widely studied.

• Quintus Tullius Cicero (102-43 BC): Brother of Marcus Tullius Cicero, a Roman soldier and statesman. He served as a legate under Julius Caesar and authored the Commentariolum Petitionis, a handbook on running for office.

• Other individuals bearing the name Cicero throughout history, though less widely known, have existed.

Legacy

The name Cicero is associated with eloquence, rhetoric, and classical learning due to the enduring influence of Marcus Tullius Cicero's writings and speeches. The name has been adopted in various contexts, including:

• Printing: A cicero is a unit of typographical measurement equal to approximately 12 points.
• Place Names: Towns or features may be named after or in honor of Cicero.

Distribution

The surname Cicero is still found today, predominantly in regions with historical connections to Roman influence, particularly in Italy. However, due to migration and historical events, the surname can be found worldwide.