Devito

DeVito is a surname of Italian origin. It is formed with the preposition de meaning “of” or “from,” combined with the given name Vito, making it a patronymic or toponymic name meaning “of Vito” or “from Vito.” In Italian, the name is often written as De Vito, while in many English-speaking contexts it appears as DeVito or Devito.

The surname is found among people of Italian heritage and in Italian-American communities, with the spelling DeVito being common in the United States. Variants include De Vito and Devito, depending on regional naming practices and how families anglicized the name.

Notable bearers include Danny DeVito (born 1944), an American actor, director, and producer. He is widely recognized for his role as Louie De Palma on the television series Taxi (1978–1983) and for appearances in films such as Batman Returns (1992), where he played the Penguin. DeVito has also directed and produced several projects, including the family film Matilda (1996) and the television series It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia (co-creator and star since 2006). The surname is primarily associated with him in popular culture, though other individuals with the name have contributed across various fields.