Italian Sicilian Last Names: A Comprehensive Guide to Their Origins and Meanings

Sicilian last names offer a rich tapestry of history, culture, and linguistic evolution. These names, often derived from Italian roots, reflect the island's diverse past and its deep connections to mainland Italy. Exploring the meanings behind these surnames provides insights into family lineage, regional heritage, and the enduring legacy of Sicilian identity. This comprehensive list delves into the etymological origins and fascinating stories behind some of the most common and intriguing Sicilian last names.
1. **Abate:** Meaning "abbot" or "father," derived from the Latin word "abbas." It signifies a historical connection to the Church or a family with a religious background.
2. **Aiello:** Derived from the Latin word "aulus," meaning "courtyard" or "open space," indicating a family that resided near a courtyard or public square.
3. **Amato:** Meaning "beloved" or "dear," this name is of Latin origin and often signifies a cherished family member or a person held in high regard.
4. **Andolina:** Originating from the Latin word "adolina," meaning "little oak," suggesting a family that lived near an oak tree or was known for their strength and resilience.
5. **Antonaci:** A variation of the name "Antonio," meaning "priceless" or "invaluable," referring to a family member known for their worth or significant contributions.
6. **Arcuri:** Meaning "bear" in Italian, this surname likely originates from a family crest or a personal attribute. It signifies courage, strength, and protection.
7. **Barone:** Derived from the Latin word "baro," meaning "baron," this name reflects the noble lineage or social standing of a family.
8. **Basile:** Meaning "royal" or "king," it points to a family of noble origins or a family that held a position of authority.
9. **Bongiorno:** A name that means "good morning" in Italian, it likely originated from a family known for their pleasant disposition or their welcoming nature.
10. **Bruno:** Derived from the Italian word for "brown," this surname might signify a family member with dark hair or complexion or a person associated with the color brown.
11. **Calamita:** Meaning "magnet" in Italian, this surname might have originated from a family member with a magnetic personality or a family that resided near a magnetic field.
12. **Calì:** Derived from the Italian word "calice," meaning "chalice," this name could signify a family with a connection to the Church or a family that possessed a prized chalice.
13. **Caputo:** Meaning "cut head," this surname likely originated from a family member with a distinguishing physical characteristic, such as a head injury or a shaved head.
14. **Caruso:** Meaning "dear" or "beloved," this name is of Latin origin and signifies a family member held in high regard or a family that cherishes their loved ones.
15. **Cascio:** Derived from the Italian word "cascia," meaning "box" or "chest," this surname might indicate a family that owned a special chest or a family that worked with boxes.
16. **Catalano:** Meaning "Catalan," this surname refers to a family with origins in Catalonia, a region in Spain.
17. **Catania:** Derived from the city of Catania in Sicily, this surname indicates a family's ancestral ties to the city.
18. **Cavallaro:** Meaning "horseman" or "knight," this name suggests a family known for their equestrian skills or their noble lineage.
19. **Cimino:** Derived from the Italian word "cimino," meaning "summit" or "peak," this name might signify a family that lived near a mountain peak or a family that reached great heights in their endeavors.
20. **Colonna:** Meaning "column," this name likely originates from a family crest or a family that lived near a column. It signifies strength, stability, and resilience.
21. **Conti:** Derived from the Latin word "comes," meaning "count," this name signifies a family of noble lineage or a family that held a position of authority.
22. **Corrao:** Meaning "brave" or "courageous," this name suggests a family known for their boldness and determination.
23. **Cosentino:** Derived from the city of Cosenza in Calabria, Italy, this surname indicates a family's ancestral ties to the city.
24. **D'Amico:** Meaning "friend," this name signifies a family with a strong sense of community or a family that is known for their friendliness.
25. **De Luca:** Meaning "of the place," this surname likely indicates a family's connection to a specific location.
26. **Di Biasi:** Meaning "of Biasi," this surname likely refers to a family's connection to a specific person or place.
27. **Di Lorenzo:** Meaning "of Lorenzo," this surname signifies a family's connection to a specific person or place.
28. **Di Martino:** Meaning "of Martino," this surname indicates a family's connection to a specific person or place.
29. **Di Palma:** Meaning "of the palm tree," this surname likely refers to a family that lived near a palm tree or a family that was known for their connection to palm trees.
30. **Di Pietro:** Meaning "of Peter," this surname signifies a family's connection to a specific person or place.
31. **D'Onofrio:** Meaning "of Onofrio," this surname likely refers to a family's connection to a specific person or place.
32. **Fiore:** Meaning "flower," this name suggests a family known for their beauty, grace, or gentleness.
33. **Forte:** Meaning "strong" or "powerful," this surname indicates a family known for their resilience and determination.
34. **Franco:** Derived from the Latin word "francus," meaning "free," this surname suggests a family that enjoyed a degree of freedom or independence.
35. **Gallo:** Meaning "rooster" in Italian, this surname might have originated from a family crest or a personal attribute. It signifies courage, strength, and leadership.
36. **Giordano:** Derived from the Latin word "Jordan," meaning "to descend," this surname likely signifies a family that lived near a river or a family that descended from a specific location.
37. **Lombardo:** Meaning "from Lombardy," this surname refers to a family with origins in Lombardy, a region in northern Italy.
38. **Mangano:** Meaning "to handle" or "to manage," this surname likely suggests a family that was skilled in handling something, such as tools or finances.
39. **Marino:** Meaning "marine" or "sea," this name suggests a family that lived near the sea or a family that worked with the sea.
40. **Mastro:** Meaning "master" or "craftsman," this surname signifies a family that possessed a particular skill or trade.
41. **Mazzeo:** Derived from the Italian word "mazza," meaning "club" or "mace," this surname likely signifies a family member known for their strength or their use of a mace as a weapon.
42. **Melito:** Meaning "honey" in Italian, this surname might have originated from a family member with a sweet disposition or a family that lived near a beehive.
43. **Mercurio:** Derived from the Roman god Mercury, this surname suggests a family that possessed qualities associated with the god, such as speed, intelligence, and communication.
44. **Minardi:** Derived from the Italian word "minare," meaning "to mine," this surname likely suggests a family that worked in mining or a family that lived near a mine.
45. **Monaco:** Meaning "monk," this name signifies a family with a religious background or a family that lived near a monastery.
46. **Morello:** Meaning "black" or "dark," this surname might signify a family member with dark hair or complexion or a family that was known for their dark clothing.
47. **Musumeci:** A variation of the name "Musumeci," meaning "to protect" or "to defend," this surname likely signifies a family known for their courage and strength.
48. **Nardi:** Derived from the Italian word "nardo," meaning "spikenard," this surname might have originated from a family that grew spikenard or a family that was known for its fragrance.
49. **Nicolosi:** Derived from the town of Nicolosi in Sicily, this surname indicates a family's ancestral ties to the town.
50. **Orlando:** Derived from the Italian name "Orlando," meaning "famous in the land," this surname likely signifies a family that was known for its achievements or its reputation.
51. **Palermo:** Derived from the city of Palermo in Sicily, this surname indicates a family's ancestral ties to the city.
52. **Pappalardo:** Meaning "butcher" or "slaughterer," this surname suggests a family that worked in the meat industry or a family that was known for its association with butchery.
53. **Passalacqua:** Meaning "step of water," this surname likely signifies a family that lived near a step or a source of water.
54. **Pennisi:** Derived from the Italian word "penna," meaning "feather," this surname might have originated from a family crest or a family that worked with feathers.
55. **Pergolizzi:** Derived from the Italian word "pergola," meaning "arbor" or "trellis," this surname likely suggests a family that lived near a trellis or a family that was known for its gardening skills.
56. **Picone:** Meaning "small" or "little," this surname might signify a family member with a small stature or a family that was known for its modesty.
57. **Pizzurro:** Derived from the Italian word "pizzurro," meaning "sparrow," this surname likely signifies a family that lived near sparrows or a family that was known for its connection to birds.
58. **Polizzi:** Derived from the town of Polizzi Generosa in Sicily, this surname indicates a family's ancestral ties to the town.
59. **Porcaro:** Meaning "pig" in Italian, this surname likely originates from a family crest or a family that was known for its connection to pigs.
60. **Puglisi:** Meaning "fist" or "punch," this surname likely signifies a family member known for their strength or their ability to fight.
61. **Quattrone:** Meaning "four eyes," this surname likely signifies a family member with a distinguishing physical characteristic, such as crossed eyes or a family that was known for its vigilance.
62. **Ragusa:** Derived from the city of Ragusa in Sicily, this surname indicates a family's ancestral ties to the city.
63. **Riccio:** Meaning "hedgehog" in Italian, this surname might have originated from a family crest or a personal attribute. It signifies protection, defense, and resilience.
64. **Riela:** Derived from the Italian word "riela," meaning "reeds," this surname likely signifies a family that lived near a river or a family that was known for its connection to reeds.
65. **Romano:** Meaning "Roman," this surname refers to a family with origins in Rome or a family that embraced Roman culture.
66. **Russo:** Meaning "red" or "blond," this surname might signify a family member with red hair or complexion or a family that was known for its fiery nature.
67. **Salvatore:** Meaning "savior" or "protector," this name is of Latin origin and signifies a family member known for their kindness or their protective nature.
68. **Santino:** Meaning "little saint," this name is of Latin origin and signifies a family member known for their holiness or their piety.
69. **Sclafani:** Derived from the town of Sclafani Bagni in Sicily, this surname indicates a family's ancestral ties to the town.
70. **Sciacca:** Derived from the city of Sciacca in Sicily, this surname indicates a family's ancestral ties to the city.
71. **Siracusa:** Derived from the city of Syracuse in Sicily, this surname indicates a family's ancestral ties to the city.
72. **Spadaro:** Meaning "swordmaker" or "swordsmith," this surname suggests a family that was skilled in crafting swords or a family that was known for its association with weapons.
73. **Spina:** Meaning "thorn" or "spine," this surname likely signifies a family that lived near a thorny plant or a family that was known for its resilience.
74. **Testa:** Meaning "head" in Italian, this surname likely signifies a family member known for their intelligence or their leadership.
75. **Tomasello:** Meaning "small ax," this surname likely signifies a family member known for their strength or their use of an ax as a tool.
76. **Torregrossa:** Meaning "big tower," this surname likely signifies a family that lived near a large tower or a family that was known for its strength and defense.
77. **Vaccaro:** Meaning "cowherd" or "cattleman," this surname suggests a family that worked with cattle or a family that was known for its connection to livestock.
78. **Valenti:** Meaning "strong" or "powerful," this surname indicates a family known for its resilience and determination.
79. **Vassallo:** Meaning "vassal" or "subject," this surname suggests a family that served a lord or a family that was known for its loyalty.
80. **Venuti:** Meaning "come," this surname likely signifies a family that migrated to a new location or a family that was known for its arrival.
81. **Verdi:** Meaning "green" in Italian, this surname might signify a family member with green eyes or complexion or a family that was known for its association with nature.
82. **Vizzini:** Derived from the town of Vizzini in Sicily, this surname indicates a family's ancestral ties to the town.
83. **Zito:** Meaning "citizen" or "inhabitant," this surname suggests a family that was a resident of a particular town or city.