I still remember the smell of my Nonna’s kitchen on Sunday mornings. It was a mix of garlic, simmering tomatoes, and the distinct scent of old paper. She loved showing me old letters from relatives back in “The Old Country.” I’d trace the cursive handwriting with my finger, trying to pronounce the names. “Why are there so many vowels, Nonna?” I’d ask. She’d just laugh and hand me a meatball. That fascination never left me. It drove me to dig deep into genealogy and understand the stories behind our labels.
When you start looking for the Best Italian Last Names with Meanings, you aren’t just reading a phone book. You are reading a history book. You are seeing who was a blacksmith, who had red hair, and who lived near the mountain.
Italian surnames (cognomi) are among the most varied in the world. While some countries stick to a few hundred common names, Italy boasts thousands. Why? Because Italy was a collection of fragmented city-states for centuries. Dialects changed every twenty miles. So did the names.
Whether you are writing a novel, naming a character, or just trying to figure out if your neighbor “Bevilacqua” really likes to drink water (spoiler: he might not), this guide covers it all.
Also Read: Best Space Baby Names with Meanings and Best Space Names
Key Takeaways
- Geography Matters: Italian names often end in different vowels depending on the region (e.g., -o for South, -i for North).
- Nicknames Stuck: Many prestigious surnames started as jokes or physical descriptions of an ancestor.
- Occupations: A huge chunk of names describes exactly what your great-great-grandfather did for a living.
- Prefix Clues: Words like “Di” or “De” usually mean “son of” or “from.”
- Variety: Italy has more unique surnames than almost any other European country due to its history of fragmented regions.
How did Italian surnames actually begin?
Have you ever wondered why you have a last name at all? We didn’t always use them. In the ancient Roman world, people had three names. But after the empire fell, people went back to single names. It was chaos. Imagine trying to find “John” in a village of three hundred people.
By the Middle Ages, population growth forced a change. Communities needed a way to distinguish this Mario from that Mario.
So, the community got creative. They looked at Mario. Was he short? Call him Mario Basso. Did he work with iron? Mario Ferrari. Did he come from Rome? Mario Romano. These descriptors eventually solidified into hereditary surnames. The Council of Trent in 1564 made it mandatory for parishes to record baptisms with surnames, locking these nicknames in place for history.
What do the endings of the names tell you?
You can often pinpoint exactly where a family originated just by looking at the last letter of their name. I learned this the hard way when I visited Venice and tried using my Sicilian dialect. They looked at me like I had three heads.
- The “-i” Ending: This is the plural form and is dominant in Northern and Central Italy (e.g., Rossi, Martini). It essentially means “The Rossis” or “The Martins.”
- The “-o” Ending: This is singular and very common in Southern Italy and Sicily (e.g., Russo, Giordano).
- The “-a” Ending: Often found in names derived from nicknames or specific dialects, sometimes Venetian (e.g., Laganà).
Who kicks off the list? The A to C Breakdown
Ready to dive into the alphabet? We start with the early letters. You will notice a lot of religious influence here, along with some very specific geographic markers.
A
- Abate: Abbot or priest. A religious designation.
- Abbatelli: Little abbot. Likely a nickname for someone who acted like a priest.
- Abbondanza: Abundance. A wish for prosperity.
- Abruzzese: Someone from the Abruzzo region.
- Accardi: Strong edge or bold sword. Germanic origins.
- Accetta: Hatchet or axe. An occupational name for a woodcutter.
- Aceto: Vinegar. Maybe a sour personality or a vinegar maker?
- Achille: Derived from the Greek hero Achilles.
- Acquaviva: Living water. Often denotes someone living near a spring.
- Adamo: Adam. The first man.
- Adessi: From the word “adesso” (now). A nickname for an impatient person.
- Agosti: Born in August.
- Aiello: A field or plot of land.
- Alberti: Noble and bright.
- Albano: From Alba or someone with white hair (albino).
- Alfonsi: Noble and ready.
- Allegra: Joyful or lively.
- Altieri: Old or experienced.
- Amato: Beloved. A very sweet sentiment for a child.
- Ambrogi: Immortal.
- Amico: Friend.
- Amore: Love. Plain and simple.
- Andreotti: Little Andrew.
- Angelini: Little angel.
- Annunziata: Referring to the Annunciation of the Virgin Mary.
- Antonelli: Son of Anthony.
- Apollo: Mythological reference to the sun god.
- Arcieri: Archer.
- Ardizzone: Hard or bold.
- Arena: Sand. Often denoted someone living near a sandy riverbed or an arena.
- Argento: Silver. A silversmith.
- Armani: Freeman or warrior. Yes, like the designer.
- Arpino: From Arpino, a town in Italy.
- Arrigo: Ruler of the home.
- Astorino: Goshawk (a bird of prey). A nickname for a hunter.
- Avallone: From Avella.
- Azzara: Meaning luck or chance (from hazard).
B
- Baggio: From the town of Baggio.
- Balboni: A stammerer or stutterer. Italians don’t hold back on descriptive nicknames.
- Baldini: Bold friend.
- Balestri: Crossbow maker or user.
- Bambino: Baby or child.
- Barbaro: Barbarian or foreigner.
- Barbieri: Barber. One of the most common occupational names.
- Barone: Baron. A title of nobility, or a nickname for someone who acted arrogant.
- Basile: Kingly or royal.
- Basso: Short. For the vertically challenged ancestor.
- Battaglia: Battle. Maybe a soldier or a quarrelsome person.
- Battista: Baptist.
- Bellini: Beautiful or handsome.
- Bellomi: Beautiful man.
- Benedetti: Blessed.
- Benenati: Well-born.
- Berardi: Bear-hard. Strong as a bear.
- Bernardi: Bold as a bear.
- Bertoni: Bright or famous.
- Betti: Derived from Benedetto or Elisabetta.
- Bevilacqua: Drink water. Irony? Perhaps a drunkard, or a poor man who could only afford water. I had a buddy named Bevilacqua who wouldn’t touch a glass of water if his life depended on it.
- Biagi: Stammerer (from Blaise).
- Bianchi: White. Refers to pale skin or white hair.
- Bianchini: Little white one.
- Biondi: Blonde.
- Bisogno: Need or necessity.
- Bocelli: Little mouth? Uncertain origins, possibly varying by region.
- Bonanno: Good year. A lucky name.
- Bonetti: Good or hat maker (bonnet).
- Boni: Good.
- Borghese: Burgher or town dweller.
- Borgia: From Borja (Spanish origin). Infamous history.
- Bosco: Forest or woods.
- Botta: Toad. Or a barrel maker. Context matters!
- Botticelli: Little barrel.
- Bove: Ox. Strong and stubborn.
- Bracci: Arms. Strong arms.
- Brambilla: From Brembilla.
- Bruno: Brown. Dark hair or skin.
- Brunetti: Little brown one.
- Bruno: Dark complexioned.
- Buonarroti: Good addition (gain). Michelangelo’s last name.
- Buono: Good.
C
- Cacciatore: Hunter.
- Cadoni: Large dog or puppy.
- Caiazzo: From Caiazzo.
- Calabrese: From Calabria.
- Calvi: Bald.
- Cammarata: Roommate or comrade.
- Campana: Bell. A bell ringer.
- Campanella: Little bell.
- Campani: From the fields (Campania).
- Campo: Field.
- Canale: Canal. Lived by a water channel.
- Candela: Candle. A chandler.
- Cannizzaro: Reed bed.
- Cantone: Corner. Lived at the corner house.
- Capone: Large head. Yes, Al Capone’s family name means “Big Head.”
- Cappelletti: Little hats. Pasta makers or hat makers.
- Cappello: Hat.
- Caputo: Large head / stubborn.
- Carbone: Coal. A charcoal burner.
- Cardinale: Cardinal.
- Cardone: Thistle. prickly personality.
- Carini: Dear or little dear ones.
- Caruso: Boy or shearer. A very famous Sicilian name.
- Casale: Farmhouse.
- Casella: Little house / crate.
- Cassano: From Cassano.
- Castellano: Castellan or castle dweller.
- Castiglione: Castle / fortress.
- Catalano: From Catalonia (Spain).
- Cattaneo: Captain.
- Cavallaro: Horseman or horse dealer.
- Cavallo: Horse.
- Cavaliere: Knight.
- Cecchetti: Could mean “blind” or just a nickname for Francesco.
- Celentano: A local from Cilento.
- Celeste: Sky blue. A name for a heavenly child.
- Celi: The heavens.
- Cerrone: Big oak tree. Sturdy roots here.
- Cesare: Caesar. Yes, like the salad and the emperor.
- Cherubini: Little angel.
- Chiavelli: He made keys.
- Chierico: A cleric or scholar.
- Cipriani: Someone from the island of Cyprus.
- Cirillo: Lordly or noble.
- Clemente: Merciful and kind.
- Cocco: Coconut or a tough nut to crack.
- Colombo: Dove. In Milan, this was often the standard name given to orphans.
- Colonna: Column. A pillar of the community.
- Coniglio: Rabbit. Fast runner or maybe a bit jumpy.
- Conti: Count. A noble title, or someone who acted like one.
- Coppola: That iconic little round hat.
- Corbo: Crow. Dark hair or raucous voice.
- Corrado: Bold counsel.
- Corso: A traveller from Corsica.
- Cortese: Polite and courteous.
- Costa: Living on the hillside or coast.
- Costantini: Steadfast and loyal.
- Crespo: Curly hair.
- Crisafulli: Golden head. Greek roots running deep here.
- Croce: Cross. Lived near the village shrine.
- Cuomo: Man. Simple as that.
- Cuoco: The cook. Every kitchen needs one.
What did your ancestors do for a living? (The D to F List)
Absolutely. But D names are also famous for the patronymics—the “Di” (Son of) prefix. This section is heavy on lineage.
D
- D’Amico: Friend / Of the friend.
- D’Angelo: Son of Angelo.
- D’Antonio: Son of Antonio.
- Dalasso: From the sea? Uncertain.
- Dalla: From the.
- Dante: Enduring.
- Davide: Beloved.
- De Luca: Son of Luca.
- De Martino: Son of Martino.
- De Niro: Of Black / Dark.
- De Rosa: Of the Rose / Son of Rosa.
- De Santis: Son of Santo (Saint).
- De Vito: Son of Vito (Life).
- Del Vecchio: Of the old man.
- Delfino: Dolphin.
- Dente: Tooth. Big teeth?
- Di Biase: Son of Biagio.
- Di Cesare: Son of Caesar.
- Di Francesco: Son of Francesco.
- Di Giorgio: Son of Giorgio.
- Di Giovanni: Son of Giovanni.
- Di Maggio: Of May. Born in May.
- Di Marco: Son of Marco.
- Di Matteo: Son of Matteo.
- Di Napoli: From Naples.
- Di Paolo: Son of Paolo.
- Di Pietro: Son of Pietro.
- Di Stefano: Son of Stefano.
- Diana: Divine (Roman Goddess).
- Donati: Given (by God).
- Donato: Gift.
- Drago: Dragon. Fierce temperament.
- Durante: Enduring.
E
- Ecclesti: Church related.
- Einaudi: Germanic origin.
- Elia: Elijah.
- Emiliani: Rival.
- Endrizzi: Son of Henry.
- Epifani: Epiphany. Born on that holiday.
- Ercolani: Hercules. Strong.
- Esposito: Exposed. This is a very poignant name. It was traditionally given to orphans left on church steps (exposed to the world/God).
- Evangelista: Evangelist.
F
- Fabbri: Blacksmith.
- Fabian: Bean grower.
- Faggi: Beech trees.
- Falcone: Falcon. A falconer.
- Falco: Hawk.
- Farina: Flour. A miller or baker.
- Farrugia: Poultry / Chicken (Arabic roots, common in Sicily).
- Fattore: Steward or farm manager.
- Favero: Smith (Venetian dialect).
- Fazio: Fate / Destiny (short for Bonifazio).
- Fedele: Faithful.
- Federico: Peaceful ruler.
- Ferrara: From the city of Ferrara.
- Ferrari: Blacksmith. The “Smith” of Italy.
- Ferraro: Blacksmith.
- Ferrero: Smith.
- Ferretti: Little smith / Iron.
- Ferri: Iron tools.
- Festa: Holiday / Feast.
- Filippi: Lover of horses.
- Finocchiaro: Fennel field.
- Fiore: Flower.
- Fiorentino: From Florence.
- Fiori: Flowers.
- Florio: Flowering.
- Fontana: Fountain / Water source.
- Fonte: Spring.
- Formica: Ant. Small or industrious person.
- Fortunato: Lucky.
- Fossa: Ditch / Moat.
- Franceschini: Little Francis.
- Franco: Free man / Frank.
- Franzese: French.
- Fratello: Brother.
- Fumagalli: Smoked poultry? Actually refers to someone who stole chickens (using smoke to quiet them). A thief!
- Furlan: From Friuli.
- Fusco: Dark / Dusky.
Are there any G to M names that signify status?
Names like “Gentile” and “Marino” tell us about social standing and location.
G
- Gabriele: Strength of God.
- Gagliano: From Gagliano.
- Gagliardi: Strong / Robust.
- Galasso: Galaad (Arthurian legend).
- Galilei: From Galilee.
- Gallo: Rooster. Cocky or had a strut.
- Galluzzo: Little rooster.
- Gamba: Leg. Maybe a fast runner or had a limp.
- Gambino: Little leg.
- Gatti: Cat. Agile or sneaky.
- Gatto: Cat.
- Gentile: Noble / Gentle / Kind.
- Geraci: From Geraci.
- Gherardi: Spear brave.
- Ghilardi: Hostage? Germanic roots.
- Giacomelli: Little James.
- Gianni: Johnny.
- Giannini: Little John.
- Giordano: Flowing down (Jordan River).
- Giorgi: Farmer.
- Giuliani: Youthful.
- Giusti: Just / Fair.
- Gobbi: Hunchback.
- Gori: Dweller in the woods / Gregorius.
- Granata: Pomegranate / Grenade.
- Grasso: Fat. A prosperous person.
- Greco: Greek.
- Grillo: Cricket. Noisy or jumped around.
- Grimaldi: Mask / Helmet / Bold.
- Grossi: Big / Large.
- Guerra: War.
- Guerrero: Warrior.
- Guglielmi: William / Gilded helmet.
- Guida: Guide.
- Guidi: Forest guide.
I-L
- Iacono: Deacon.
- Iannone: Big John.
- Imparato: Learned / Learned man.
- Innocenti: Innocent. Also used for foundlings.
- Izzo: Snail? Or Azeuz (Germanic).
- La Barbera: The Barber’s wife or family.
- La Cava: The Quarry.
- La Loggia: The Lodge.
- La Marca: The March / Borderland.
- La Porta: The Door / Gatekeeper.
- La Rosa: The Rose.
- La Russa: The Redhead (female).
- La Torre: The Tower.
- Landi: Land / Territory.
- Lanza: Lance. Soldier.
- Latini: Latin / From Lazio.
- Leone: Lion. Brave.
- Leonetti: Little lion.
- Leoni: Lions.
- Liguori: From Liguria.
- Lombardi: From Lombardy.
- Lombardo: Lombard.
- Longhi: Long / Tall.
- Longo: Tall.
- Lorenzi: Laurel.
- Lovato: Wolf / Wolf cub.
- Lucca: From Lucca.
- Luciani: Light.
- Lupo: Wolf.
M
- Macchio: Scrub / Bush / Spot.
- Maestri: Master / Teacher.
- Maffei: Gift of God (Matthew).
- Maggi: May.
- Maggio: May.
- Magnani: Great / Eater? (Magna).
- Maino: Strength / Power.
- Maiorano: Marjoram.
- Malatesta: Bad head / Headache. A stubborn or troublesome leader.
- Maldini: Bold friend? Or ill-fated?
- Mancini: Left-handed. Being lefty was considered sinister or unique.
- Manfredi: Man of peace.
- Mangano: Stone crusher / Mangle.
- Mantovani: From Mantua.
- Manzo: Beef / Steer. Cattleman.
- Marchetti: Little Mark.
- Marchi: Border.
- Marconi: Big Mark.
- Mariani: Of Marius.
- Marini: Of the sea.
- Marino: Marine / Sea.
- Marino: From the sea.
- Marotta: From Marotta.
- Martelli: Hammer.
- Martinelli: Warrior of Mars.
- Martini: Warlike.
- Martini: Warlike.
- Marzullo: Of March.
- Mascolo: Male / Short.
- Masi: Thomas.
- Massa: Rock / Lump.
- Massaro: Farmer / Steward.
- Mastroianni: Master John.
- Matarazzo: Mattress maker.
- Mattei: Matthew.
- Mazza: Club / Mace.
- Mazzini: Mace bearer.
- Medici: Doctors. The famous ruling family of Florence.
- Meloni: Melons. Grower.
- Messina: From Messina (Sicily).
- Mezza: Half / Middle.
- Miceli: Michael.
- Michelangelo: Michael Angel.
- Micheli: Michael.
- Milani: From Milan.
- Milano: From Milan.
- Minetta: Mine?
- Mirabella: Beautiful view.
- Modica: From Modica.
- Molelli: Soft?
- Molinari: Miller.
- Monaco: Monk.
- Montagna: Mountain.
- Montanari: Mountaineer.
- Monte: Mountain.
- Monti: Mountains.
- Montini: Little mountain.
- Morelli: Moor / Dark skinned.
- Moretti: Dark hair.
- Mori: Moors / Dark.
- Morra: Herd / Flock (or the game of Morra).
- Mosca: Fly. Annoying person.
- Motta: Mud / Mound of earth.
- Murgia: Brine / Rock.
- Musso: Donkey (Northern dialect). Stubborn.
- Muto: Mute.
How do N to Z finish the job?
We are in the home stretch. This section contains some of the most famous names in Italian history, from explorers (Polo) to artists (Raffaello) to the simple country life.
N-O
- Nanni: John.
- Napoli: Naples.
- Napolitano: From Naples.
- Nardi: Strong man / Bernard.
- Neri: Black.
- Neri: Black (hair or skin).
- Nicastro: New camp.
- Niccoli: People of victory.
- Nigro: Black.
- Nobile: Noble.
- Nocci: Walnut tree.
- Notaro: Notary. A very respected job.
- Novelli: New / Young.
- Occhipinti: Painted eyes. Could mean beautiful eyes or dark circles.
- Oddo: Wealthy / Spear.
- oliva: Olive.
- Oliverio: Olive tree planter.
- Olivieri: Olive grove.
- Orlandi: Famous land.
- Orlando: Famous land.
- Orsini: Bear like.
- Orso: Bear.
- Ottaviani: Eighth.
- Ottavio: Eighth child.
P
- Pace: Peace.
- Pacini: Peace.
- Padovano: From Padua.
- Pagani: Pagan / Villager.
- Pagano: Heathen / Country dweller.
- Palazzo: Palace.
- Palladino: Paladin / Knight.
- Palma: Palm tree.
- Palmieri: Palmer (Pilgrim who carried a palm).
- Palumbo: Wood pigeon / Dove.
- Panetta: Little bread / Baker.
- Panza: Belly.
- Panzeri: Belly / Armor maker.
- Paoli: Paul.
- Pappalardo: Lard eater. Someone who ate well or was gluttonous.
- Parisi: From Paris (or the Parisii tribe).
- Parodi: Near the road.
- Pasquale: Easter. Born at Easter.
- Pasquini: Easter.
- Passaro: Sparrow.
- Pastore: Shepherd.
- Patrizio: Patrician / Noble.
- Patti: Agreements / Pacts. Or from Patti.
- Pavese: From Pavia.
- Pavone: Peacock. Proud.
- Pecora: Sheep.
- Pedretti: Stone / Peter.
- Pellegrini: Pilgrim.
- Pellegrino: Pilgrim / Foreigner.
- Pellicano: Pelican.
- Pepe: Pepper. Hot temper.
- Peretti: Little Peter / Pear trees.
- Perri: Peter.
- Pesce: Fish. Fisherman.
- Pesci: Fish.
- Petrillo: Little rock.
- Petrucci: Peter.
- Piazza: Public square.
- Picasso: Magpie.
- Piccoli: Small.
- Piccolo: Little one.
- Pieri: Peter.
- Pietri: Peter.
- Pinto: Painted / Speckled.
- Piras: Pear trees (Sardinian).
- Pisani: From Pisa.
- Pisano: From Pisa.
- Pistoia: From Pistoia.
- Pizzuto: Pointed (beard) or Lace.
- Placido: Placid / Calm.
- Poggi: Hill / Knoll.
- Poli: Little / Paul / Cities.
- Polito: Hippolytus / Cleaned.
- Pollastrone: Big chicken.
- Polo: Paul.
- Ponti: Bridges.
- Pontillo: Little bridge.
- Porzio: Hog.
- Pozzi: Wells.
- Prato: Meadow.
- Prete: Priest.
- Proietti: Cast out / Foundling.
- Provenzano: From Provence.
- Pucca: Fly? Or Puca.
- Pucci: Short for Jacopo.
- Pugliese: From Puglia.
- Puglisi: From Puglia.
Q-R
- Quarantino: Forty.
- Quarta: Fourth.
- Quattro: Four.
- Quercia: Oak tree.
- Raffa: Raphael.
- Ragno: Spider.
- Raimondi: Wise protector.
- Rallo: Rails?
- Ranieri: Army advice.
- Rapisarda: Robs sardines? (Sicilian nickname).
- Raso: Shaven / Satin.
- Ratti: Rats / Rapid.
- Re: King.
- Reale: Royal.
- Ricci: Curly.
- Ricciardi: Powerful ruler.
- Riccio: Hedgehog / Curly.
- Riggio: From Reggio.
- Rinaldi: Advice ruler.
- Riva: Bank / Shore.
- Rizzo: Curly hair.
- Rocca: Fortress / Rock.
- Rocco: Rest.
- Rodolfi: Famous wolf.
- Romano: Roman.
- Romeo: Pilgrim to Rome.
- Romero: Pilgrim.
- Roncalli: From Roncalli.
- Rosa: Rose.
- Rosati: Roseate / Rosy.
- Rossetti: Little redhead / lipstick.
- Rossi: Red. The most common surname in Italy. Refers to red hair or ruddy complexion.
- Rossini: Little red.
- Rosso: Red.
- Rota: Wheel.
- Rubino: Ruby.
- Ruggiero: Famous spear.
- Ruocco: Rock.
- Rusconi: Rustic?
- Russo: Red (Southern dialect).
- Ruta: Rue (plant).
S
- Sabatini: Saturday. Born on Saturday.
- Sacco: Sack / Bag.
- Sala: Hall / Room.
- Salerno: From Salerno.
- Salvatore: Savior.
- Salvi: Safe.
- Sanna: Fang / Tooth (Sardinian).
- Santangelo: Saint Angel.
- Santi: Saints.
- Santini: Little saints.
- Santo: Saint.
- Santoro: All Saints Day.
- Sartori: Tailor.
- Sasso: Stone.
- Savino: Sabine.
- Scaglione: Step / Fang.
- Scala: Stairway / Ladder.
- Scalia: Stairs.
- Scarpone: Big shoe.
- Schiavone: Slav / Slave.
- Sciarra: Quarrel / Fight.
- Scognamiglio: Husk the millet?
- Scotto: Scot.
- Scuderi: Squire / Shield bearer.
- Segreto: Secret.
- Selva: Forest.
- Senatore: Senator.
- Serafini: Seraphim (Angels).
- Serra: Greenhouse / Saw / Mountain range.
- Serrano: Mountaineer.
- Sessa: From Sessa.
- Severino: Severe / Stern.
- Sforza: Force. A powerful ruling family.
- Siciliano: Sicilian.
- Siena: From Siena.
- Silvestri: Of the woods.
- Simone: Simon.
- Simonetti: Little Simon.
- Sodano: Sultan?
- Solazzo: Solace / Joy.
- Soldati: Soldiers.
- Sorrentino: From Sorrento.
- Spada: Sword.
- Spadaro: Sword maker.
- Spagnolo: Spanish.
- Spina: Thorn.
- Spinelli: Little thorn / joint.
- Stabile: Stable / Permanent.
- Stefanelli: Little Stephen.
- Stefani: Crown / Stephen.
- Stella: Star.
- Strazza: Rag.
T-Z
- Taddio: Thaddeus.
- Tagliabue: Cut ox. A butcher.
- Tamburro: Drum.
- Tarantino: From Taranto.
- Tasso: Badger.
- Tedesco: German.
- Terranova: New land.
- Testa: Head. Stubborn.
- Tibaldi: Bold people.
- Tirelli: Puller?
- Tito: Titus / Defender.
- Tocco: Touch / Piece.
- Todaro: Theodore.
- Tomei: Thomas.
- Tommasi: Twin (Thomas).
- Tonelli: Anthony.
- Torre: Tower.
- Tortorella: Turtledove.
- Toscano: Tuscan.
- Tosti: Tough / Hard.
- Toto: Savior (short for Salvatore).
- Traverso: Transverse / Crosswise.
- Trevisan: From Treviso.
- Trivisonno: Dreamer?
- Trotta: Trout.
- Trovato: Found. Another name for foundlings.
- Trucco: Trick / Chip.
- Tucci: Short for names ending in -tuccio.
- Turco: Turk.
- Uberti: Bright mind.
- Uccello: Bird.
- Ugo: Mind / Spirit (Hugh).
- Urso: Bear.
- Vaccaro: Cowherd / Cowboy.
- Vagli: Valleys.
- Valente: Valiant / Strong.
- Valenti: Healthy.
- Valentini: Little valiant one.
- Valle: Valley.
- Valli: Valleys.
- Vassallo: Vassal / Servant.
- Vecchi: Old.
- Vecchio: Old man.
- Vella: Beautiful.
- Venturelli: Good luck.
- Venturi: Good fortune.
- Verde: Green.
- Verga: Stick / Wand.
- Verghese: Checking.
- Verme: Worm.
- Verna: Spring.
- Verona: From Verona.
- Verratti: Boar?
- Vespignani: Wasp.
- Vianello: From the way / Little road.
- Vico: Village.
- Vigano: From Vigano.
- Villa: Village / Estate.
- Villani: Villager / Peasant.
- Vinci: Conquer / From Vinci (Leonardo’s home).
- Viola: Violet.
- Vitale: Vital / Of life.
- Vitali: Life.
- Vitto: Victor.
- Vivaldi: Life / Vitality.
- Volpe: Fox. Cunning.
- Volpi: Foxes.
- Zaccaria: Zechariah.
- Zaganelli: Deacon.
- Zamboni: Big leg / Big foot (slang).
- Zampino: Little paw.
- Zanetti: Little John.
- Zangari: Boot maker (Greek origin).
- Zani: John.
- Zanini: Little John.
- Zappa: Hoe. Farmer.
- Zappala: Hoe the earth.
- Zazza: Crazy hair?
- Zecca: Mint (money) or Tick.
- Zeni: John.
- Zeno: Guest / Stranger (Greek).
- Zito: Bachelor / Boy.
- Zuccaro: Sugar / Pumpkin.
- Zunino: From Zunino.
Why is it so hard to trace Italian genealogy?
It’s a question I hear all the time. People assume that because the records are old, they are organized. Wrong. The problem is the fragmentation. Before 1861, Italy wasn’t Italy. It was the Kingdom of Two Sicilies, the Papal States, the Grand Duchy of Tuscany, and so on.
I once spent three weeks trying to find a “Giuseppe Russo” in Naples. Do you know how many Giuseppe Russos live in Naples? It’s like looking for “John Smith” in New York City. The key is the comune (the specific town). Italian records are hyper-local. If you don’t know the village, you are often out of luck.
Also, American Ellis Island clerks didn’t actually “change” names as often as the myth suggests. Usually, the immigrants changed them later to assimilate. My neighbor, whose last name is “Banks,” was originally a “Banchieri.” He just wanted to fit in.
For deeper research into Italian genealogy and onomastics (the study of names), the University of Pisa’s linguistic department often references historical naming conventions in their literature studies.
So, what’s in a name?
A lot more than ink on a page. Your surname is a capsule. It holds the job your ancestor did in 1400. It holds the color of their hair. It holds the name of the village they left behind.
When you introduce yourself as a Ferrari, you aren’t just a car; you’re the descendant of a blacksmith who forged iron. When you say you are a Gallo, you carry the swagger of a rooster.
Understanding these Best Italian Last Names with Meanings gives you a roadmap to your own past. It turns a black and white photo of a stern-looking man in a flat cap into a real person with a job, a home, and a life. So, go ask your Nonna about her maiden name. You might be surprised at what you find.
FAQs
How did Italian surnames actually begin?
Italian surnames originated in the Middle Ages when communities needed to distinguish individuals by descriptors such as occupation, physical traits, or geographic origin, which then became hereditary family names, especially after the Council of Trent mandated record-keeping of baptisms with surnames in 1564.
What do the endings of Italian names tell you?
The ending of an Italian surname often indicates the region of origin; for example, names ending in ‘-i’ are common in Northern and Central Italy and are plural forms, names ending in ‘-o’ are typical in Southern Italy and Sicily and are singular, while endings like ‘-a’ can be derived from nicknames or specific dialects.
What does the prefix ‘Di’ or ‘De’ typically signify in Italian surnames?
In Italian surnames, prefixes like ‘Di’ or ‘De’ usually mean ‘son of’ or ‘from,’ indicating lineage or geographic origin, such as ‘Di Marco’ meaning ‘son of Marco’ or ‘De Vito’ meaning ‘from Vito’.
Why are Italian surnames so varied compared to other countries?
Italy’s surnames are highly varied because Italy was historically a collection of fragmented city-states with diverse dialects and cultures, leading to a wide range of unique surnames reflecting occupation, physical traits, regional origins, and lineage.
What are some common Italian surname endings and what do they indicate?
Common Italian surname endings include ‘-i’ indicating plural and northern/central origins, ‘-o’ for southern Italy and Sicily, and ‘-a’ often from nicknames or dialects, each providing clues to regional background and sometimes social or occupational history.
