by Shirley (guest)
10/5/2018, 5:48 PM
From the website:
https://www.italiangenealogy.com/articles/italian-genealogy/rare-given-names-in-early-italian-records
"In practice, most Italians were named for saints or classical (sometimes mytholgical) figures. Some of these names were quite unusual even centuries ago. Castrenze, Calcedonio, Baldassare, Cipriano, Zenone and Egidio are religious examples particularly prevalent in localities where these saints are venerated."
There is a lot of very worthwhile information in the article from which the above is quoted.
From name-doctor.com:
"This name derives from the Latin Noun and adjective “castrum > castra > castrensis”, meaning “castle, fort, camp (military), an encampment, camp, military service”. Castrese di Sessa (V century), was an Italian bishop, revered as a holy martyr of the Catholic Church. The feast day is traditionally celebrated on February 11."
Again, there is other worthwhile info on the page, as well.