Italian American Last Names: A Comprehensive Guide

Looking for a list of common Italian American last names? This comprehensive guide offers a detailed exploration of over 40 popular Italian American surnames, including their origins, meanings, and variations. Discover the rich history and cultural significance behind these names, from traditional family crests to modern interpretations.
1. **Abate:** Meaning "abbot" or "father" in Italian. It is a common last name, especially in the south.
2. **Aiello:** Meaning "little yew tree," a reference to the yew tree, a symbol of life and strength.
3. **Albano:** Meaning "from Albano," a town near Rome known for its beautiful scenery and ancient ruins.
4. **Alessi:** Meaning "of Alexius," a name of Greek origin meaning "defender of mankind."
5. **Allegra:** Meaning "joyful" or "cheerful," a name that reflects the positive energy of the Italian spirit.
6. **Amaro:** Meaning "bitter" or "sour," possibly referring to a place where bitter herbs were grown.
7. **Ambrosio:** Meaning "immortal" or "divine," a name with religious connotations.
8. **Ancona:** Meaning "from Ancona," a city in central Italy known for its port and beautiful architecture.
9. **Andreotti:** Meaning "little Andrew," a common Italian given name with a strong and masculine connotation.
10. **Angeli:** Meaning "angels," a name that embodies the beauty and purity of these celestial beings.
11. **Antonelli:** Meaning "little Anthony," a name with biblical origins and strong, noble connotations.
12. **Aragona:** Meaning "from Aragon," a region in Spain, likely a name acquired by Italian immigrants from Spain.
13. **Arcuri:** Meaning "from Arcuri," a village in Sicily known for its picturesque landscapes.
14. **Aversa:** Meaning "from Aversa," a city in Campania, Italy known for its historical significance.
15. **Bagnato:** Meaning "soaked" or "wet," possibly referring to a location near water or a family involved in water-related work.
16. **Baldi:** Meaning "strong" or "brave," a name reflecting the strength and resilience of the Italian people.
17. **Barone:** Meaning "baron," a title of nobility in medieval Europe, reflecting the historical importance of the family.
18. **Basso:** Meaning "low" or "short," possibly referring to a person's physical appearance or location.
19. **Bellini:** Meaning "beautiful" or "handsome," a name that captures the artistry and elegance of the Italian people.
20. **Benedetti:** Meaning "blessed" or "fortunate," a name reflecting the importance of faith and tradition in Italian culture.
21. **Benvenuti:** Meaning "welcome," a name that embodies the warmth and hospitality of Italian people.
22. **Berardi:** Meaning "from the bear," a name with an animalistic origin and a sense of strength and power.
23. **Bernardi:** Meaning "from Bernard," a name of Germanic origin meaning "brave bear."
24. **Bianchi:** Meaning "white," possibly referring to a person's physical appearance, a place, or a family coat of arms.
25. **Bongiorno:** Meaning "good morning," a name that captures the joyful and optimistic nature of the Italian people.
26. **Bonventre:** Meaning "good wind," a name that alludes to the importance of good fortune and positive energy.
27. **Bosco:** Meaning "forest" or "wood," possibly referring to a family who lived near a forest or worked in forestry.
28. **Botta:** Meaning "barrel," possibly referring to a family involved in winemaking or other industries related to barrels.
29. **Bruno:** Meaning "brown" or "dark," likely referring to a person's hair or skin color.
30. **Caldarelli:** Meaning "little baker," a name that reflects the culinary expertise and passion for food that is integral to Italian culture.
31. **Calderone:** Meaning "big cauldron," possibly referring to a family involved in cooking or food production.
32. **Cammarata:** Meaning "from Cammarata," a town in Sicily known for its beautiful scenery and historical significance.
33. **Campanella:** Meaning "little bell," a name that is both charming and melodic, reflecting the importance of music and art in Italian culture.
34. **Canale:** Meaning "canal," possibly referring to a family who lived near a canal or worked on water transport.
35. **Caputo:** Meaning "head of hair," possibly referring to a family member with distinctive hair or a place named for its dense foliage.
36. **Carbone:** Meaning "coal" or "charcoal," possibly referring to a family involved in the coal industry or who lived in a region with coal deposits.
37. **Cardinale:** Meaning "cardinal," a high-ranking official in the Catholic Church, reflecting the importance of faith and religion in Italian culture.
38. **Caruso:** Meaning "beloved" or "dear," a name that evokes love and affection.
39. **Casale:** Meaning "house" or "cottage," possibly referring to a family who lived in a specific type of home or location.
40. **Castelli:** Meaning "castle," a name that evokes a sense of strength, history, and grandeur.
41. **Catalano:** Meaning "from Catalonia," a region in Spain, possibly indicating a family's origins in that region.
42. **Cavaliere:** Meaning "knight," a title of honor in medieval Europe, reflecting the bravery and chivalry of the family.
43. **Cavazza:** Meaning "from Cavazza," a village in Emilia-Romagna known for its beautiful scenery and historical significance.
44. **Cecchini:** Meaning "little Cecco," a name derived from the Italian given name Cecco, which is a diminutive of Francesco.
45. **Celentano:** Meaning "from Celentano," a town in Abruzzo, Italy known for its beautiful scenery and historical significance.
46. **Cerami:** Meaning "from Cerami," a town in Sicily known for its ancient history and beautiful scenery.
47. **Chiaramonte:** Meaning "clear mountain," a name that alludes to the beauty and tranquility of nature.
48. **Ciccone:** Meaning "little chick," a name that embodies the innocence and purity of childhood.
49. **Cimino:** Meaning "from Cimino," a town in Lazio, Italy known for its beautiful scenery and historical significance.
50. **Cincotti:** Meaning "from Cincotti," a town in Tuscany, Italy known for its beautiful scenery and rich history.
51. **Colangelo:** Meaning "angel of the hill," a name that combines religious connotations with a sense of location.
52. **Conti:** Meaning "counts," a title of nobility in medieval Europe, reflecting the historical importance of the family.
53. **Corrao:** Meaning "from Corrao," a village in Sicily known for its beautiful scenery and ancient ruins.
54. **Costa:** Meaning "coast" or "shore," possibly referring to a family who lived near the coast or worked in maritime industries.
55. **Cucinotta:** Meaning "little cook," a name that reflects the culinary expertise and passion for food that is integral to Italian culture.
56. **Cugno:** Meaning "wedge," possibly referring to a family who lived in a specific type of home or location.
57. **D'Agostino:** Meaning "Augustine's son," a name of Latin origin that is associated with the saint Augustine of Hippo.
58. **D'Ambrosio:** Meaning "son of Ambrose," a name that refers to the saint Ambrose, a prominent figure in the Catholic Church.
59. **D'Annunzio:** Meaning "son of Annunzio," a name that refers to the Italian poet Gabriele D'Annunzio.
60. **De Angelis:** Meaning "of the angels," a name that evokes the beauty and purity of these celestial beings.
61. **De Carlo:** Meaning "son of Charles," a name of French origin that is associated with the king Charles.
62. **De Francesco:** Meaning "son of Francis," a name that refers to the saint Francis of Assisi.
63. **De Gennaro:** Meaning "son of Gennaro," a name that refers to the saint Gennaro, the patron saint of Naples.
64. **De Lorenzo:** Meaning "son of Lorenzo," a name that refers to the saint Lorenzo, a martyr who was roasted on a gridiron.
65. **De Luca:** Meaning "son of Luke," a name that refers to the apostle Luke, one of the four evangelists.
66. **De Marco:** Meaning "son of Mark," a name that refers to the apostle Mark, the author of the Gospel of Mark.
67. **De Martino:** Meaning "son of Martin," a name that refers to the saint Martin of Tours.
68. **De Matteo:** Meaning "son of Matthew," a name that refers to the apostle Matthew, the author of the Gospel of Matthew.
69. **De Napoli:** Meaning "from Naples," a name that refers to the city of Naples, Italy.
70. **De Palma:** Meaning "from Palma," a town in Sicily known for its beautiful scenery and historical significance.
71. **De Rosa:** Meaning "from the rose," a name that refers to the rose, a symbol of love and beauty.
72. **De Santis:** Meaning "of the saints," a name that evokes the holiness and piety of the saints.
73. **De Simone:** Meaning "son of Simon," a name that refers to the apostle Simon Peter.
74. **De Vito:** Meaning "from Vito," a name that refers to the saint Vito, the patron saint of dancers.
75. **Di Biase:** Meaning "from the wood," possibly referring to a family who lived near a forest or worked in forestry.
76. **Di Carlo:** Meaning "of Charles," a name that refers to the king Charles.
77. **Di Francesco:** Meaning "of Francis," a name that refers to the saint Francis of Assisi.
78. **Di Giacomo:** Meaning "of James," a name that refers to the apostle James.
79. **Di Lorenzo:** Meaning "of Lorenzo," a name that refers to the saint Lorenzo.
80. **Di Marco:** Meaning "of Mark," a name that refers to the apostle Mark.
81. **Di Matteo:** Meaning "of Matthew," a name that refers to the apostle Matthew.
82. **Di Napoli:** Meaning "from Naples," a name that refers to the city of Naples, Italy.
83. **Di Palma:** Meaning "from Palma," a town in Sicily known for its beautiful scenery and historical significance.
84. **Di Rosa:** Meaning "of the rose," a name that refers to the rose, a symbol of love and beauty.
85. **Di Santis:** Meaning "of the saints," a name that evokes the holiness and piety of the saints.
86. **Di Simone:** Meaning "of Simon," a name that refers to the apostle Simon Peter.
87. **Di Vito:** Meaning "of Vito," a name that refers to the saint Vito, the patron saint of dancers.
88. **Donato:** Meaning "given" or "presented," a name that embodies the spirit of giving and generosity.
89. **Falco:** Meaning "falcon," a bird known for its speed and agility, possibly referring to a family who lived near a falconry or worked with falcons.
90. **Farina:** Meaning "flour," possibly referring to a family involved in the flour industry or who lived near a flour mill.
91. **Fava:** Meaning "broad bean," possibly referring to a family who grew broad beans or lived in a region where they were abundant.
92. **Ferrante:** Meaning "iron worker," possibly referring to a family involved in blacksmithing or metalworking.
93. **Ferraro:** Meaning "blacksmith," a name that reflects the importance of skilled craftsmanship in Italian culture.
94. **Fiore:** Meaning "flower," a name that evokes the beauty and fragrance of nature.
95. **Fiorentino:** Meaning "from Florence," a name that refers to the city of Florence, Italy.
96. **Fonseca:** Meaning "fountain" or "spring," possibly referring to a family who lived near a spring or worked with water.
97. **Fontana:** Meaning "fountain," a name that alludes to the beauty and tranquility of water.
98. **Forte:** Meaning "strong" or "powerful," a name that embodies the resilience and strength of the Italian people.
99. **Franceschi:** Meaning "from France," a name that suggests a family's origins in France.
100. **Franco:** Meaning "free," a name that reflects the importance of freedom and independence in Italian culture.