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Torain/Torian

Re: The "Torain" Name

Posted: 5 Jan 2010 4:22AM GMT
Classification: Query
Surnames: Torain
I forgot add, I am interested in what you have found out in the past 10 years. You can obviously collect a lot of information from other brothers and sisters of your father and their families.

You know, of course, he was my grandfather. I am your nephew, as you may recall, younger than you by a year. My father, Joseph Torain, your oldest brother. Long time!

Re: The "Torain" Name

Posted: 16 Oct 2010 3:36AM GMT
Classification: Query
"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.
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