"Torain" is more than likely a result of the common mispronunciation of the surname Torian. Torian is/was commonly pronounced as "Torain" by African Americans. The early American Torian's were slave owners, therefore, the slaves took on the last name of their owners. Since some people pronounced the last name Torain, that is exactly how it was written down in records. Torian, however, originated from Italy. Originally known as the Della Torre or Torriani (which means, "of the tower" in Italian), they ruled Milan between 1200-1300 before being defeated by the Visconti family. After being defeated, the family scattered around northern Italy. Around 1738, Schertorio Turriani and his family came to America on-board a ship called the Oliver. The records of Schertorio and his family come from Soglio, Switzerland, about 90 miles north of Milan. In America, Turriani eventually became Torian.