Italian Last Names: A Comprehensive Guide to Their Meanings

Italian last names, also known as cognomi, are rich in history and meaning. They often reflect the geographic origins, occupations, or personal characteristics of their bearers. This comprehensive list explores the fascinating meanings behind some of the most common and unique Italian surnames, providing insight into the cultural heritage of Italy.
1. **Abate:** meaning "abbot" or "father", referring to a religious leader.
2. **Amato:** meaning "loved" or "beloved", a popular surname that conveys affection.
3. **Andreotti:** meaning "little Andrew", a variant of the common given name.
4. **Anzalone:** meaning "ancestor", likely referring to a family patriarch.
5. **Barone:** meaning "baron", a title of nobility.
6. **Bellini:** meaning "beautiful", referring to someone with a pleasing appearance.
7. **Benetti:** meaning "little Benedict", a variant of the common given name.
8. **Berardi:** meaning "brave" or "strong", a surname that denotes courage.
9. **Bianchi:** meaning "white", referring to the color of skin or hair.
10. **Bongiorno:** meaning "good morning", likely reflecting a person's cheerful disposition.
11. **Bruno:** meaning "brown", a surname that refers to hair color.
12. **Calabrese:** meaning "from Calabria", referring to the southern Italian region.
13. **Calandra:** meaning "lark", a bird known for its melodious song.
14. **Caputo:** meaning "cut off" or "short", possibly referring to a physical characteristic.
15. **Caruso:** meaning "dear" or "beloved", a surname that signifies affection.
16. **Casale:** meaning "house" or "farm", likely referring to a place of origin.
17. **Catalano:** meaning "Catalan", referring to someone from Catalonia, Spain.
18. **Cava:** meaning "cave", possibly referring to a place of residence or origin.
19. **Cerutti:** meaning "little deer", a surname that evokes a sense of grace.
20. **Chiesa:** meaning "church", referring to a place of worship.
21. **Cimino:** meaning "summit", possibly referring to a high point in a landscape.
22. **Colombo:** meaning "dove", a bird that symbolizes peace and purity.
23. **Conti:** meaning "counts", a title of nobility.
24. **Corrado:** meaning "heart", a surname that evokes a sense of emotion.
25. **Costa:** meaning "coast", likely referring to a place of origin.
26. **D'Angelo:** meaning "of the angel", a surname that suggests divine favor.
27. **De Luca:** meaning "of the wolf", a surname that implies strength and power.
28. **Del Vecchio:** meaning "of the old man", a surname that reflects longevity.
29. **Di Marco:** meaning "of Mark", a variant of the common given name.
30. **Di Palma:** meaning "of the palm tree", a surname that signifies resilience.
31. **Di Pietro:** meaning "of Peter", a variant of the common given name.
32. **Di Rosa:** meaning "of the rose", a surname that evokes beauty and love.
33. **Donato:** meaning "given", likely referring to a child who was given as a gift.
34. **Esposito:** meaning "exposed", possibly referring to a child who was found abandoned.
35. **Fiore:** meaning "flower", a surname that symbolizes beauty and grace.
36. **Fontana:** meaning "fountain", likely referring to a place of origin.
37. **Galasso:** meaning "young man" or "youth", a surname that suggests youthful vigor.
38. **Gallo:** meaning "rooster", a bird that symbolizes courage and strength.
39. **Gentile:** meaning "noble" or "gentle", a surname that conveys honor and kindness.
40. **Giordano:** meaning "descending", possibly referring to a geographic feature.
41. **Giuliani:** meaning "of Julius", a variant of the common given name.
42. **Iacono:** meaning "Jacob's", a variant of the common given name.
43. **La Rocca:** meaning "of the rock", a surname that suggests stability and strength.
44. **Lombardo:** meaning "Lombard", referring to someone from Lombardy, Italy.
45. **Lucci:** meaning "of light", a surname that evokes a sense of illumination.
46. **Macchia:** meaning "stain" or "spot", possibly referring to a physical characteristic.
47. **Maggio:** meaning "May", a surname that suggests springtime and renewal.
48. **Mancini:** meaning "having small hands", possibly referring to a physical characteristic.
49. **Marino:** meaning "marine" or "sea", a surname that reflects a connection to the ocean.
50. **Martini:** meaning "of Mars", a surname that suggests strength and power.
51. **Masci:** meaning "male", a surname that denotes masculinity.
52. **Matthews:** meaning "gift of God", a surname with biblical origins.
53. **Mazzetti:** meaning "little hammer", a surname that evokes a sense of force.
54. **Meloni:** meaning "melons", possibly referring to a local fruit or agricultural product.
55. **Monaco:** meaning "monk", a surname that refers to a religious figure.
56. **Morelli:** meaning "dark" or "black", a surname that refers to hair color.
57. **Nardi:** meaning "of the nation", a surname that suggests patriotism.
58. **Neri:** meaning "black", a surname that refers to hair color.
59. **Orlando:** meaning "famous" or "glorious", a surname that denotes prominence.
60. **Palumbo:** meaning "dove", a bird that symbolizes peace and purity.
61. **Panariello:** meaning "baker", a surname that reflects a profession.
62. **Pappalardo:** meaning "butterfly", a surname that evokes beauty and freedom.
63. **Pasquale:** meaning "Easter", a surname that suggests rebirth and renewal.
64. **Pellegrino:** meaning "pilgrim", a surname that reflects a journey or quest.
65. **Perrone:** meaning "big dog", a surname that implies strength and loyalty.
66. **Piccolo:** meaning "small", a surname that refers to physical stature.
67. **Pinelli:** meaning "pine tree", a surname that signifies strength and resilience.
68. **Pisano:** meaning "from Pisa", referring to the Italian city.
69. **Polito:** meaning "polite", a surname that conveys courtesy and respect.
70. **Pompilio:** meaning "little Pompilius", a variant of the common given name.
71. **Provenzano:** meaning "coming from Provence", a surname that reflects a place of origin.
72. **Rinaldi:** meaning "reborn", a surname that suggests renewal.
73. **Rizzo:** meaning "curly" or "wavy", a surname that refers to hair texture.
74. **Romano:** meaning "Roman", referring to someone from Rome, Italy.
75. **Rossi:** meaning "red", a surname that refers to hair color.
76. **Russo:** meaning "red", a surname that refers to hair color.
77. **Salvatore:** meaning "savior", a surname that suggests protection and rescue.
78. **Santoro:** meaning "saint", a surname that reflects devotion to a religious figure.
79. **Sasso:** meaning "stone", likely referring to a place of origin.
80. **Scalia:** meaning "from Scala", referring to the Italian town.
81. **Scipione:** meaning "scepter", a surname that suggests power and authority.
82. **Serafino:** meaning "ardent" or "fiery", a surname that evokes passion.
83. **Silvestri:** meaning "from the forest", likely referring to a place of origin.
84. **Spinelli:** meaning "thorn", possibly referring to a physical characteristic.
85. **Testa:** meaning "head", a surname that refers to a physical characteristic.
86. **Torelli:** meaning "bull", a surname that implies strength and power.
87. **Tucci:** meaning "touch", possibly referring to a profession or skill.
88. **Valente:** meaning "strong" or "brave", a surname that denotes courage.
89. **Vargas:** meaning "guard" or "protector", a surname that suggests defense.
90. **Venuto:** meaning "come", likely referring to a place of origin.
91. **Vinci:** meaning "conquer", a surname that suggests triumph and victory.
92. **Vito:** meaning "life", a surname that signifies vitality and energy.
93. **Zito:** meaning "citizen", a surname that denotes membership in a community.