Italian Last Names from Sicily: A Deep Dive into Origins and Meanings

Sicily, the largest island in the Mediterranean Sea, boasts a rich history and culture that is reflected in its diverse population and unique surnames. While Italian last names are known for their beautiful sounds and often carry deep historical significance, those originating in Sicily offer a glimpse into the island's fascinating past, influenced by Greek, Arabic, Norman, and Spanish cultures. In this comprehensive list, we explore the meanings and origins of some of the most common and intriguing Italian last names from Sicily.
1. **Aiello:** From the place name "Aiello" in the province of Salerno, meaning "little oak tree."
2. **Amato:** Meaning "beloved" or "loved."
3. **Andolina:** Derived from the Greek word "andron" meaning "man" or "male."
4. **Barone:** Meaning "baron," a title of nobility.
5. **Basile:** From the Greek word "basileus" meaning "king."
6. **Bellomo:** Meaning "handsome man."
7. **Bongiorno:** Meaning "good morning."
8. **Bruno:** Derived from the German word "brun" meaning "brown."
9. **Calì:** Meaning "calico" or "white linen."
10. **Cammarata:** Meaning "brotherhood" or "fraternity."
11. **Cannavò:** Meaning "hemp" or "rope maker."
12. **Capizzi:** From the place name "Capizzi" in the province of Messina, meaning "head."
13. **Caruso:** Meaning "dear" or "beloved."
14. **Catalano:** Meaning "Catalan," referring to the region of Catalonia in Spain.
15. **Catania:** From the place name "Catania," the second-largest city in Sicily.
16. **Cefalù:** From the place name "Cefalù" on the north coast of Sicily.
17. **Chiaramonte:** Meaning "clear mountain."
18. **Ciulla:** From the Sicilian word "ciulla" meaning "a small, round loaf of bread."
19. **Conigliaro:** Meaning "rabbit breeder."
20. **Corrao:** Meaning "brave" or "courageous."
21. **Cusumano:** From the place name "Cusumano" in the province of Palermo.
22. **D'Agostino:** Meaning "son of Augustine."
23. **Di Biagio:** Meaning "son of Biagio."
24. **Di Francesco:** Meaning "son of Francis."
25. **Di Lorenzo:** Meaning "son of Lawrence."
26. **Di Marco:** Meaning "son of Mark."
27. **Di Martino:** Meaning "son of Martin."
28. **Di Matteo:** Meaning "son of Matthew."
29. **Di Palma:** Meaning "son of Palm."
30. **Di Pietro:** Meaning "son of Peter."
31. **Falcone:** Meaning "falcon."
32. **Ferlito:** Meaning "fertile" or "fruitful."
33. **Fiore:** Meaning "flower."
34. **Forte:** Meaning "strong."
35. **Gallo:** Meaning "rooster."
36. **Giambalvo:** Meaning "John the White."
37. **Giordano:** Meaning "Jordan."
38. **La Barbera:** Meaning "the barber."
39. **La Mantia:** Meaning "the cloak."
40. **Lombardo:** Meaning "Lombard," referring to the region of Lombardy in northern Italy.
41. **Lo Presti:** Meaning "the priest."
42. **Macaluso:** From the Arabic word "maqalūs" meaning "fortress."
43. **Mancuso:** Meaning "one-handed," possibly referring to a historical figure with a disability.
44. **Marchese:** Meaning "marquis," a title of nobility.
45. **Marino:** Meaning "marine" or "of the sea."
46. **Mastroeni:** Meaning "master" or "craftsman."
47. **Maugeri:** Meaning "morning" or "dawn."
48. **Mazzeo:** Meaning "hammer" or "sledgehammer."
49. **Mendola:** Meaning "mandrake," a type of plant.
50. **Messina:** From the place name "Messina," a city on the northeastern coast of Sicily.
51. **Migliore:** Meaning "better."
52. **Minardi:** Meaning "small mine."
53. **Monaco:** Meaning "monk."
54. **Mondello:** From the place name "Mondello" near Palermo, meaning "world."
55. **Napoli:** Meaning "Neapolitan," referring to the city of Naples.
56. **Nobile:** Meaning "noble."
57. **Oliveri:** From the place name "Oliveri" in the province of Messina.
58. **Orlando:** Meaning "famous" or "glorious."
59. **Palermo:** From the place name "Palermo," the capital of Sicily.
60. **Pappalardo:** Meaning "Pope Alexander."
61. **Parisi:** From the place name "Paris," the capital of France.
62. **Pellegrino:** Meaning "pilgrim."
63. **Pennisi:** Meaning "small pen."
64. **Pergolizzi:** Meaning "little pear tree."
65. **Piazza:** Meaning "square."
66. **Pignataro:** Meaning "pot maker."
67. **Pirrotta:** From the Sicilian word "pirrotta" meaning "a kind of dance."
68. **Polizzi:** From the place name "Polizzi Generosa" in the province of Palermo.
69. **Porto:** Meaning "port."
70. **Puccio:** From the Sicilian word "puccio" meaning "a small, pointed object."
71. **Ragusa:** From the place name "Ragusa" in southeastern Sicily.
72. **Rallo:** Meaning "frog."
73. **Renda:** Meaning "to render" or "to give."
74. **Ricca:** Meaning "rich."
75. **Riggio:** From the place name "Riggio" in the province of Messina.
76. **Rizza:** Meaning "rice."
77. **Romano:** Meaning "Roman."
78. **Russo:** Meaning "redhead."
79. **Salemi:** From the place name "Salemi" in the province of Trapani, meaning "salt."
80. **Sammartino:** Meaning "Saint Martin."
81. **Sardo:** Meaning "Sardinian."
82. **Sclafani:** From the place name "Sclafani Bagni" in the province of Palermo.
83. **Scialla:** From the Sicilian word "scialla" meaning "to relax" or "to take it easy."
84. **Sciacca:** From the place name "Sciacca" on the southwestern coast of Sicily.
85. **Scimè:** Meaning "monkey."
86. **Segreto:** Meaning "secret."
87. **Siracusa:** From the place name "Siracusa," a city on the southeastern coast of Sicily.
88. **Spadaro:** Meaning "sword maker."
89. **Spataro:** Meaning "soldier."
90. **Spinella:** Meaning "thorn."
91. **Tagliarini:** Meaning "maker of pasta strips."
92. **Talia:** Meaning "talent."
93. **Tedesco:** Meaning "German."
94. **Terranova:** Meaning "new land."
95. **Testa:** Meaning "head."
96. **Torre:** Meaning "tower."
97. **Traina:** From the place name "Traina" in the province of Messina.
98. **Tripodi:** Meaning "tripod."
99. **Vaccaro:** Meaning "cowherd."
100. **Valenti:** Meaning "brave" or "strong."
101. **Vassallo:** Meaning "vassal," a person who held land from a lord in exchange for service.
102. **Ventura:** Meaning "good fortune" or "luck."
103. **Verga:** Meaning "stick" or "branch."
104. **Vito:** Meaning "life" or "living."
105. **Zappalà:** Meaning "hoe."
106. **Zito:** Meaning "groom" or "husband."
107. **Zuccaro:** Meaning "sugar."