Tornatore

Tornatore is an Italian surname derived from the occupation of operating a lathe. The form comes from the noun tornio, meaning lathe, with the agent suffix -tore, indicating "one who turns" or "lathe operator." As an occupational surname, Tornatore developed among Italian-speaking communities and is found in Italy as well as among the Italian diaspora abroad.

The best-known bearer is Giuseppe Tornatore (born 1956), a Sicilian film director and screenwriter whose work has had a lasting impact on Italian cinema. His 1988 film Cinema Paradiso won the Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film and contributed to his international reputation. He has since directed other feature films, including The Legend of 1900 (La leggenda del pianista sull'oceano), Malèna, and The Best Offer.

As a surname, Tornatore is one of many Italian occupational names that reflect the crafts of past generations. While not among the most common Italian surnames, it is established in various regions of Italy and among communities worldwide, often carried by descendants with ties to Italian heritage.