ANTHONY SANTORO

The usual English form of the old Roman family name Antonius, which is of uncertain (probably Etruscan) origin. The spelling with -th- (not normally reflected in the pronunciation) represents a learned but erroneous attempt to associate it with Greek anthos ‘flower’. In the post-classical period it was a common name, borne by various early saints, most notably a 3rd-century Egyptian hermit monk, who is regarded as the founder of Christian monasticism.

Southern Italian: from a personal name, originally bestowed on someone who was born on All Saints’ Day, Italian santoro, from Late Latin sanctorum (omnium dies festus) ‘(feast day of all) the saints’.