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

Looking for a unique and meaningful Italian last name? This comprehensive guide explores the origins and meanings of common Italian surnames. From classic family names to lesser-known gems, delve into the rich history and cultural significance behind these captivating names. Discover the stories behind your own Italian heritage or find inspiration for your next character in a novel.
1. **Abate:** Meaning "abbot," referring to a high-ranking member of a religious order.
2. **Aiello:** From the place name "Aiello," meaning "little oak."
3. **Alberti:** From the Germanic word "alberht," meaning "noble and bright."
4. **Alessandro:** A variation of the name Alexander, meaning "defender of mankind."
5. **Amato:** Meaning "beloved" or "loved."
6. **Angelini:** From the word "angelo," meaning "angel."
7. **Antonacci:** Meaning "belonging to Anthony," a popular biblical name.
8. **Aragona:** From the region of Aragon in Spain.
9. **Armani:** Possibly from the word "arma," meaning "weapons."
10. **Aversa:** From the city of Aversa in Campania.
11. **Baglioni:** From the word "baglione," meaning "flash of lightning."
12. **Bartolucci:** Meaning "son of Bartholomew," a biblical name.
13. **Bellini:** From the word "bellino," meaning "little bell."
14. **Benedetti:** Meaning "blessed" or "fortunate."
15. **Bianchi:** Meaning "white" or "fair."
16. **Bonetti:** Meaning "good" or "kind."
17. **Borghese:** From the place name "Borgo," meaning "village."
18. **Botticelli:** From the word "botticella," meaning "small barrel."
19. **Bruno:** Meaning "brown" or "dark."
20. **Calabrese:** From the region of Calabria in southern Italy.
21. **Calandra:** Meaning "lark," a type of bird.
22. **Caldarelli:** Meaning "little bald one."
23. **Capriati:** From the island of Capri.
24. **Caruso:** Meaning "dear" or "beloved."
25. **Casale:** Meaning "house" or "dwelling."
26. **Castellani:** Meaning "belonging to the castle."
27. **Catalano:** From the region of Catalonia in Spain.
28. **Cavalli:** Meaning "horses."
29. **Celentano:** Meaning "heavenly" or "celestial."
30. **Chiesa:** Meaning "church."
31. **Cimino:** From the word "cimo," meaning "summit" or "peak."
32. **Colombo:** Meaning "dove."
33. **Corsi:** Meaning "courtiers" or "attendants."
34. **Costa:** Meaning "coast" or "shoreline."
35. **D'Angelo:** Meaning "angel."
36. **De Luca:** Meaning "of the place" or "from the place."
37. **Del Vecchio:** Meaning "of the old man."
38. **Di Lorenzo:** Meaning "son of Lorenzo."
39. **Donati:** Meaning "given" or "presented."
40. **D'Onofrio:** Meaning "honor" or "glory."
41. **Esposito:** Meaning "exposed" or "orphaned."
42. **Falcone:** Meaning "falcon."
43. **Ferrari:** From the word "ferro," meaning "iron."
44. **Ferri:** Meaning "iron."
45. **Fiore:** Meaning "flower."
46. **Fontana:** Meaning "fountain."
47. **Fortunato:** Meaning "fortunate" or "lucky."
48. **Frasca:** Meaning "branch" or "twig."
49. **Galante:** Meaning "gallant" or "courteous."
50. **Gallo:** Meaning "rooster."
51. **Giordano:** From the name Jordan, meaning "to descend" or "to flow down."
52. **Giuliani:** From the name Julian, meaning "youthful."
53. **Grasso:** Meaning "fat" or "thick."
54. **Guerra:** Meaning "war."
55. **Iacono:** Meaning "God is merciful."
56. **Innocenti:** Meaning "innocent."
57. **La Porta:** Meaning "the door."
58. **Lanza:** Meaning "lance" or "spear."
59. **Laurenti:** From the name Lorenzo, meaning "laurel."
60. **Leonardi:** Meaning "lion-hearted."
61. **Levi:** Meaning "joined" or "united."
62. **Lombardi:** From the region of Lombardy in northern Italy.
63. **Luciani:** From the name Lucian, meaning "light."
64. **Macchia:** Meaning "spot" or "stain."
65. **Maggio:** Meaning "May."
66. **Maltese:** From the island of Malta.
67. **Mancini:** Meaning "belonging to the hand."
68. **Marconi:** From the word "marcone," meaning "big hammer."
69. **Marino:** Meaning "of the sea."
70. **Martini:** From the name Martin, meaning "war god."
71. **Masciarelli:** From the word "maschera," meaning "mask."
72. **Mastropietro:** Meaning "master Peter."
73. **Mattei:** Meaning "Matthias," a biblical name.
74. **Mazzei:** Meaning "hammer."
75. **Meloni:** Meaning "melons."
76. **Merli:** Meaning "blackbirds."
77. **Micheli:** Meaning "belonging to Michael," a biblical name.
78. **Molinari:** Meaning "miller."
79. **Monaco:** Meaning "monk."
80. **Montanari:** Meaning "mountain dweller."
81. **Morandi:** Meaning "belonging to the moor."
82. **Morelli:** Meaning "dark" or "brown."
83. **Moretti:** Meaning "little dark one."
84. **Nardi:** From the name Bernard, meaning "brave as a bear."
85. **Neri:** Meaning "black."
86. **Nicolini:** From the name Nicholas, meaning "victory of the people."
87. **Novara:** From the city of Novara in Piedmont.
88. **Ogliari:** From the word "oglio," meaning "olive oil."
89. **Orlando:** Meaning "famous throughout the land."
90. **Orsini:** Meaning "belonging to the bear."
91. **Pagano:** Meaning "pagan."
92. **Palermo:** From the city of Palermo in Sicily.
93. **Panzieri:** From the word "panza," meaning "belly."
94. **Parente:** Meaning "relative."
95. **Pastore:** Meaning "shepherd."
96. **Pellegrini:** Meaning "pilgrim."
97. **Pellizzari:** From the word "pelliccia," meaning "fur."
98. **Pentimalli:** Meaning "five hills."
99. **Perri:** Meaning "pear."
100. **Piccirillo:** Meaning "little small one."
101. **Pierini:** From the name Peter, meaning "rock."
102. **Pirozzi:** From the word "piro," meaning "fire."
103. **Pisano:** From the city of Pisa in Tuscany.
104. **Polito:** Meaning "polite."
105. **Pompeo:** From the name Pompey, meaning "helper."
106. **Portelli:** Meaning "belonging to the gate."
107. **Provenzano:** From the place name "Provenza," meaning "Provence."
108. **Puglisi:** From the region of Puglia in southeastern Italy.
109. **Quattrini:** Meaning "four coins."
110. **Rinaldi:** Meaning "son of Renaldo," a Germanic name.
111. **Rizzo:** Meaning "curly haired."
112. **Romano:** Meaning "Roman."
113. **Rossi:** Meaning "red."
114. **Russo:** Meaning "reddish."
115. **Salvatore:** Meaning "savior."
116. **Sandro:** A shortened form of Alessandro, meaning "defender of mankind."
117. **Santangelo:** Meaning "holy angel."
118. **Sarti:** Meaning "tailors."
119. **Savini:** Meaning "belonging to Saint Savin."
120. **Scarano:** From the word "scarpa," meaning "shoe."
121. **Scialla:** Meaning "don't worry" or "take it easy."
122. **Scognamiglio:** From the word "scoglio," meaning "rock."
123. **Segretario:** Meaning "secretary."
124. **Serra:** Meaning "mountain range."
125. **Silvestri:** Meaning "belonging to the forest."
126. **Spinelli:** From the word "spina," meaning "thorn."
127. **Stella:** Meaning "star."
128. **Testa:** Meaning "head."
129. **Tognazzi:** From the word "togna," meaning "cloak."
130. **Toni:** A shortened form of Antonio, meaning "priceless."
131. **Tortelli:** Meaning "little towers."
132. **Toscani:** From the region of Tuscany in central Italy.
133. **Traversa:** Meaning "crossroads."
134. **Valente:** Meaning "brave" or "courageous."
135. **Valerio:** From the name Valerius, meaning "strong and healthy."
136. **Vellucci:** From the word "velluto," meaning "velvet."
137. **Veneziano:** From the city of Venice.
138. **Verdi:** Meaning "green."
139. **Verona:** From the city of Verona in Veneto.
140. **Vianello:** Meaning "little street."
141. **Vicari:** Meaning "vicar."
142. **Villani:** Meaning "belonging to the village."
143. **Vinci:** From the word "vincere," meaning "to conquer."
144. **Vitale:** Meaning "full of life."
145. **Zaccagnini:** From the word "zacco," meaning "fish."
146. **Zaccaria:** From the name Zacharias, meaning "the Lord remembers."
147. **Zanetti:** From the name John, meaning "God is gracious."
148. **Zappia:** From the word "zappa," meaning "hoe."
149. **Zito:** Meaning "citizen" or "inhabitant."
150. **Zucconi:** From the word "zucchero," meaning "sugar."