Italian Last Names: A Comprehensive Guide to Their Meanings

Are you curious about the origins and meanings of Italian last names? Italy's rich history and cultural diversity are reflected in its surnames, many of which hold fascinating stories and connections to specific regions, professions, or even physical characteristics. This comprehensive list explores the origins and meanings of some of the most common and unique Italian last names, providing insights into the linguistic and cultural tapestry of Italy.
1. **Abate:** Derived from the Italian word "abate" meaning "abbot," a title for the head of a monastery.
2. **Aiello:** Originates from the Italian word "aiello" meaning "threshing floor," referencing a place where grain was processed.
3. **Alberti:** Means "noble" or "bright," derived from the Germanic elements "adal" and "beraht."
4. **Alessandrini:** A patronymic surname meaning "son of Alessandro," a variant of the name Alexander.
5. **Alfieri:** From the Italian word "alfieri" meaning "standard-bearer," a title held by high-ranking military officials.
6. **Amato:** Derived from the Italian word "amato" meaning "loved" or "beloved."
7. **Andreotti:** A patronymic surname meaning "son of Andrea," a variant of the name Andrew.
8. **Angelini:** Derived from the Italian word "angelo" meaning "angel."
9. **Antonelli:** A patronymic surname meaning "son of Antonio," a variant of the name Anthony.
10. **Aragona:** Originates from the region of Aragon in Spain, suggesting a possible connection to Spanish ancestry.
11. **Armani:** A possible occupational surname, referring to someone who worked with armor or weapons.
12. **Barberi:** Derived from the Italian word "barba" meaning "beard," likely referring to a physical characteristic.
13. **Bellini:** Possibly an occupational surname, referring to someone who worked with bells.
14. **Benelli:** May be related to the Italian word "bene" meaning "good" or "well," possibly indicating a positive attribute.
15. **Bernini:** A patronymic surname meaning "son of Bernardino," a variant of the name Bernard.
16. **Bianchi:** From the Italian word "bianco" meaning "white," likely referring to a physical characteristic or a place name.
17. **Bocelli:** A patronymic surname meaning "son of Boccio," possibly referring to a small ball or a type of fruit.
18. **Bonetti:** A patronymic surname meaning "son of Bonetto," a diminutive form of the name Boniface.
19. **Botticelli:** Possibly an occupational surname, referring to a maker of small barrels or a small keg.
20. **Bruno:** Derived from the Italian word "bruno" meaning "brown," likely referring to a physical characteristic.
21. **Calabrese:** A geographic surname, indicating origin from the region of Calabria in Italy.
22. **Camilli:** A patronymic surname meaning "son of Camillo," a variant of the name Camillus.
23. **Caputo:** A patronymic surname meaning "son of Capo," possibly referring to a leader or a head.
24. **Caruso:** Derived from the Italian word "caro" meaning "dear" or "beloved," possibly referring to a person with a high social standing.
25. **Casale:** A geographic surname, indicating origin from a small village or settlement.
26. **Castelli:** A geographic surname, indicating origin from a castle or fortress.
27. **Cavalli:** Derived from the Italian word "cavallo" meaning "horse," likely referring to an occupation or a symbol of strength.
28. **Cenci:** A possible occupational surname, referring to someone who worked with straw or a type of fabric.
29. **Chiaramonte:** A geographic surname, indicating origin from a place name meaning "clear mountain."
30. **Cimino:** A possible occupational surname, referring to someone who worked with wood or a type of tree.
31. **Coletti:** A patronymic surname meaning "son of Coleto," possibly a diminutive form of a given name.
32. **Colombo:** Derived from the Italian word "colombo" meaning "dove," likely referring to a symbol of peace or a physical characteristic.
33. **Conti:** A patronymic surname meaning "son of Conte," referring to someone with the title of count.
34. **Corsi:** A possible occupational surname, referring to someone who worked with leather or a type of material.
35. **Costa:** A geographic surname, indicating origin from a coastal region.
36. **D'Angelo:** A patronymic surname meaning "son of Angelo," a variant of the name Angel.
37. **De Luca:** A geographic surname, indicating origin from a place name meaning "of the place."
38. **Del Vecchio:** A geographic surname, indicating origin from a place name meaning "of the old man."
39. **Di Lorenzo:** A patronymic surname meaning "son of Lorenzo," a variant of the name Lawrence.
40. **Di Marco:** A patronymic surname meaning "son of Marco," a variant of the name Mark.
41. **Donati:** A patronymic surname meaning "son of Donato," a variant of the name Donat.
42. **Fava:** Derived from the Italian word "fava" meaning "bean," possibly referring to a place name or an occupation.
43. **Ferretti:** Possibly an occupational surname, referring to someone who worked with iron or a type of metal.
44. **Ferrari:** A geographic surname, indicating origin from a place name meaning "iron smith."
45. **Filippo:** A patronymic surname meaning "son of Filippo," a variant of the name Philip.
46. **Fiorentino:** A geographic surname, indicating origin from the city of Florence, Italy.
47. **Fontana:** A geographic surname, indicating origin from a place name meaning "fountain."
48. **Forte:** Derived from the Italian word "forte" meaning "strong," likely referring to a physical attribute.
49. **Franchi:** Derived from the Italian word "franco" meaning "free," possibly referring to a social status or a place name.
50. **Gallo:** Derived from the Italian word "gallo" meaning "rooster," likely referring to a physical characteristic or a symbol of courage.
51. **Gargano:** A geographic surname, indicating origin from the Gargano peninsula in Italy.
52. **Gatto:** Derived from the Italian word "gatto" meaning "cat," possibly referring to a physical characteristic or a place name.
53. **Gentile:** Derived from the Italian word "gentile" meaning "noble" or "gentle," possibly referring to a social status.
54. **Giardini:** A geographic surname, indicating origin from a place name meaning "gardens."
55. **Giovanelli:** A patronymic surname meaning "son of Giovanni," a variant of the name John.
56. **Giuliani:** A patronymic surname meaning "son of Giuliano," a variant of the name Julian.
57. **Grasso:** Derived from the Italian word "grasso" meaning "fat," likely referring to a physical characteristic.
58. **Guarino:** A patronymic surname meaning "son of Guarino," a variant of the name Guarin.
59. **Iacovelli:** A patronymic surname meaning "son of Iacovello," a variant of the name Jacob.
60. **Innamorato:** Derived from the Italian word "innamorato" meaning "in love," possibly referring to a romantic character.
61. **La Rocca:** A geographic surname, indicating origin from a place name meaning "the rock."
62. **Lamberti:** A patronymic surname meaning "son of Lamberto," a variant of the name Lambert.
63. **Lanza:** A possible occupational surname, referring to someone who worked with spears or weapons.
64. **Laurenti:** A patronymic surname meaning "son of Lorenzo," a variant of the name Lawrence.
65. **Leone:** Derived from the Italian word "leone" meaning "lion," likely referring to a symbol of strength or power.
66. **Liberati:** Derived from the Italian word "liberare" meaning "to liberate," possibly referring to a historical event or a freedom struggle.
67. **Lombardo:** A geographic surname, indicating origin from the region of Lombardy in Italy.
68. **Lorenzi:** A patronymic surname meaning "son of Lorenzo," a variant of the name Lawrence.
69. **Lucci:** A patronymic surname meaning "son of Lucio," a variant of the name Lucius.
70. **Lucio:** A patronymic surname meaning "son of Lucio," a variant of the name Lucius.
71. **Macchia:** A geographic surname, indicating origin from a place name meaning "spot" or "patch."
72. **Maggio:** Derived from the Italian word "maggio" meaning "May," possibly referring to a birth month or a seasonal event.
73. **Mainardi:** Possibly an occupational surname, referring to someone who worked with hands or a type of craft.
74. **Maltese:** A geographic surname, indicating origin from the island of Malta.
75. **Mancini:** A possible occupational surname, referring to someone who worked with hands or a type of craft.
76. **Marchese:** Derived from the Italian word "marchese" meaning "marquis," a title of nobility.
77. **Mariano:** A geographic surname, indicating origin from a place name meaning "Marian."
78. **Marini:** A geographic surname, indicating origin from a place near the sea.
79. **Martini:** A patronymic surname meaning "son of Martino," a variant of the name Martin.
80. **Mascaro:** A possible occupational surname, referring to someone who worked with masks or a type of disguise.
81. **Mastro:** Derived from the Italian word "maestro" meaning "master" or "teacher," possibly referring to a profession or a skill.
82. **Mattei:** A patronymic surname meaning "son of Matteo," a variant of the name Matthew.
83. **Mazzei:** A possible occupational surname, referring to someone who worked with wood or a type of craft.
84. **Medici:** A geographic surname, indicating origin from a place name meaning "physicians."
85. **Meloni:** Derived from the Italian word "melone" meaning "melon," possibly referring to a place name or an occupation.
86. **Merli:** A possible occupational surname, referring to someone who worked with birds or a type of animal.
87. **Micheli:** A patronymic surname meaning "son of Michele," a variant of the name Michael.
88. **Minetti:** Possibly an occupational surname, referring to someone who worked with a type of metal or a craft.
89. **Molinari:** A possible occupational surname, referring to someone who worked with mills or a type of machinery.
90. **Monaco:** A geographic surname, indicating origin from the city of Monaco.
91. **Montanari:** A geographic surname, indicating origin from a place name meaning "mountain dwellers."
92. **Morelli:** Possibly an occupational surname, referring to someone who worked with a type of animal or a craft.
93. **Moretti:** Possibly an occupational surname, referring to someone who worked with a type of craft or a profession.
94. **Nardi:** A patronymic surname meaning "son of Nardo," a variant of the name Bernard.
95. **Neri:** Derived from the Italian word "nero" meaning "black," likely referring to a physical characteristic or a place name.
96. **Nicoletti:** A patronymic surname meaning "son of Nicolò," a variant of the name Nicholas.
97. **Noce:** Derived from the Italian word "noce" meaning "nut," possibly referring to a place name or a type of food.
98. **Novelli:** Possibly an occupational surname, referring to someone who worked with a type of craft or a profession.
99. **Oberto:** A patronymic surname meaning "son of Oberto," a variant of the name Albert.
100. **Orlando:** A patronymic surname meaning "son of Orlando," a variant of the name Roland.
101. **Orsini:** Derived from the Italian word "orso" meaning "bear," likely referring to a symbol of strength or a place name.
102. **Pagano:** A possible occupational surname, referring to someone who worked with a type of craft or a profession.
103. **Palmieri:** Derived from the Italian word "palma" meaning "palm tree," possibly referring to a place name or a symbol of victory.
104. **Panetta:** A possible occupational surname, referring to someone who worked with bread or a type of food.
105. **Paoletti:** A patronymic surname meaning "son of Paolo," a variant of the name Paul.
106. **Pasquale:** A patronymic surname meaning "son of Pasquale," a variant of the name Pascal.
107. **Pellegrini:** Derived from the Italian word "pellegrino" meaning "pilgrim," possibly referring to a religious journey or a historical event.
108. **Perotti:** A patronymic surname meaning "son of Pero," possibly a diminutive form of a given name.
109. **Pescatori:** A possible occupational surname, referring to someone who worked as a fisherman.
110. **Petrucci:** A patronymic surname meaning "son of Pietro," a variant of the name Peter.
111. **Piccolo:** Derived from the Italian word "piccolo" meaning "small," likely referring to a physical characteristic or a place name.
112. **Pierini:** A patronymic surname meaning "son of Pierino," a diminutive form of the name Peter.
113. **Pirozzi:** Possibly an occupational surname, referring to someone who worked with a type of craft or a profession.
114. **Pizzuti:** Possibly an occupational surname, referring to someone who worked with a type of craft or a profession.
115. **Polito:** A patronymic surname meaning "son of Polito," a variant of the name Polycarp.
116. **Porcelli:** A possible occupational surname, referring to someone who worked with a type of animal or a craft.
117. **Provenzano:** A geographic surname, indicating origin from a place name meaning "from Provence."
118. **Puccini:** Possibly an occupational surname, referring to someone who worked with a type of craft or a profession.
119. **Quattrone:** Derived from the Italian word "quattro" meaning "four," possibly referring to a number of siblings or a physical characteristic.
120. **Ricci:** Derived from the Italian word "riccio" meaning "hedgehog," likely referring to a physical characteristic or a place name.
121. **Rinaldi:** A patronymic surname meaning "son of Rinaldo," a variant of the name Reynold.
122. **Rizzo:** Derived from the Italian word "riccio" meaning "curly," likely referring to a physical characteristic.
123. **Roberto:** A patronymic surname meaning "son of Roberto," a variant of the name Robert.
124. **Romano:** A geographic surname, indicating origin from the city of Rome.
125. **Rossi:** Derived from the Italian word "rosso" meaning "red," likely referring to a physical characteristic or a place name.
126. **Russo:** Derived from the Italian word "rosso" meaning "red," likely referring to a physical characteristic or a place name.
127. **Salerno:** A geographic surname, indicating origin from the city of Salerno.
128. **Salvatore:** A patronymic surname meaning "son of Salvatore," a variant of the name Salvador.
129. **Sandro:** A patronymic surname meaning "son of Alessandro," a variant of the name Alexander.
130. **Santoro:** Derived from the Italian word "santo" meaning "saint," possibly referring to a religious figure or a place name.
131. **Scarpa:** A possible occupational surname, referring to someone who worked as a shoemaker.
132. **Scipione:** A patronymic surname meaning "son of Scipione," a variant of the name Scipio.
133. **Serafino:** A patronymic surname meaning "son of Serafino," a variant of the name Seraphin.
134. **Sforza:** Derived from the Italian word "sforzo" meaning "effort," possibly referring to a strength or a perseverance.
135. **Silvestri:** A patronymic surname meaning "son of Silvestro," a variant of the name Sylvester.
136. **Simone:** A patronymic surname meaning "son of Simone," a variant of the name Simon.
137. **Sorrentino:** A geographic surname, indicating origin from a place name meaning "from the south."
138. **Spada:** A possible occupational surname, referring to someone who worked with swords or weapons.
139. **Spinelli:** Possibly an occupational surname, referring to someone who worked with a type of craft or a profession.
140. **Stella:** Derived from the Italian word "stella" meaning "star," likely referring to a symbol of hope or a place name.
141. **Testa:** Derived from the Italian word "testa" meaning "head," possibly referring to a physical characteristic or a place name.
142. **Tosti:** Possibly an occupational surname, referring to someone who worked with a type of craft or a profession.
143. **Totti:** A possible occupational surname, referring to someone who worked with a type of craft or a profession.
144. **Travaglini:** Possibly an occupational surname, referring to someone who worked with a type of craft or a profession.
145. **Tucci:** Possibly an occupational surname, referring to someone who worked with a type of craft or a profession.
146. **Valenti:** A patronymic surname meaning "son of Valentino," a variant of the name Valentine.
147. **Vallisneri:** Possibly an occupational surname, referring to someone who worked with a type of craft or a profession.
148. **Vanzetti:** Possibly an occupational surname, referring to someone who worked with a type of craft or a profession.
149. **Vassallo:** A possible occupational surname, referring to someone who worked as a vassal or a servant.
150. **Venuto:** Derived from the Italian word "venire" meaning "to come," possibly referring to a place of origin or a historical event.
151. **Verdi:** Derived from the Italian word "verde" meaning "green," likely referring to a physical characteristic or a place name.
152. **Vetrano:** A geographic surname, indicating origin from a place name meaning "from the old man."
153. **Vianello:** A geographic surname, indicating origin from a place name meaning "from the old man."
154. **Vicari:** A possible occupational surname, referring to someone who worked as a vicar or a representative.
155. **Villani:** A geographic surname, indicating origin from a place name meaning "villagers."
156. **Vinci:** A geographic surname, indicating origin from a place name meaning "to conquer."
157. **Vitale:** Derived from the Italian word "vitale" meaning "vital," possibly referring to a strong or healthy person.
158. **Vittorio:** A patronymic surname meaning "son of Vittorio," a variant of the name Victor.
159. **Zito:** Derived from the Italian word "cittadino" meaning "citizen," possibly referring to a social status or a place name.
160. **Zucchi:** Possibly an occupational surname, referring to someone who worked with a type of craft or a profession.