Common Italian Last Names: A Comprehensive List

This comprehensive list explores some of the most common Italian last names, shedding light on their origins, meanings, and prevalence. Whether you're researching your family history, exploring your Italian heritage, or simply curious about the diverse linguistic tapestry of Italy, this guide will provide valuable insights. Discover the rich history and cultural significance behind these surnames, from their geographical roots to their evolution over centuries.
1. **Rossi:** Red; a common surname in Italy, especially in the north, that derives from the color red. It is often associated with the reddish hair and skin of people from the region.
2. **Ferrari:** Smith or blacksmith; a common Italian surname that originates from the Latin word "ferrum," meaning "iron." It is often associated with the renowned Italian car manufacturer.
3. **Rizzo:** Curly-haired; a common Italian surname, often found in Sicily and southern Italy, that describes someone with curly hair.
4. **Bianchi:** White; a common Italian surname that is often associated with the color white, signifying purity and innocence. It can also refer to someone who is pale-skinned.
5. **Marchetti:** A surname that is derived from the Italian word "marchetto," meaning "small hammer." It is a common surname in central Italy, particularly in the region of Umbria.
6. **Moretti:** Dark-haired; a common Italian surname that describes someone with dark hair. It is often found in northern Italy and the region of Tuscany.
7. **Gallo:** Rooster; a common Italian surname that is associated with the animal of the same name. It is often found in the south of Italy, specifically in the region of Calabria.
8. **Esposito:** Exposed; a common Italian surname, particularly in Naples and southern Italy, that signifies someone who was found abandoned or exposed.
9. **Bruno:** Brown; a common Italian surname, particularly in the north of Italy, that describes someone with brown hair or a dark complexion.
10. **Russo:** Red; a common Italian surname that describes someone with reddish hair or a ruddy complexion. It is often found in the south of Italy and Sicily.
11. **Romano:** Roman; a common Italian surname that signifies someone who is from the city of Rome or the region of Latium.
12. **Conti:** Counts; a common Italian surname that describes someone who is a count or member of the nobility.
13. **Martini:** Saint Martin; a common Italian surname that is associated with the Catholic saint Saint Martin of Tours.
14. **Costa:** Coast; a common Italian surname that signifies someone who lives near the coast or in a coastal region.
15. **Fontana:** Fountain; a common Italian surname that signifies someone who lives near a fountain or spring.
16. **Bartolini:** Son of Bartholomew; a common Italian surname that is derived from the biblical name Bartholomew.
17. **Pellegrini:** Pilgrim; a common Italian surname that signifies someone who is a pilgrim or someone who travels to a holy place.
18. **Silvestri:** From the woods; a common Italian surname that signifies someone who lives in the woods or a forested area.
19. **Colombo:** Dove; a common Italian surname that is associated with the animal of the same name. It is often found in the north of Italy and the region of Liguria.
20. **D'Angelo:** Angel; a common Italian surname that signifies someone who is angelic or who is associated with an angel.
21. **Mancini:** A surname that is derived from the Italian word "mancino," meaning "left-handed." It is often found in the region of Marche and the city of Rome.
22. **Ricci:** Curly-haired; a common Italian surname that describes someone with curly hair. It is often found in the north of Italy and the region of Tuscany.
23. **Giorgi:** A surname that is derived from the Italian word "Giorgio," which is a name of Greek origin meaning "farmer" or "earthworker." It is often found in the region of Veneto.
24. **De Luca:** From the place of the wolf; a common Italian surname that signifies someone who lives in a place where wolves are found.
25. **Donati:** Given; a common Italian surname that signifies someone who was given or donated to a family or community.
26. **Sandro:** Defender of mankind; a common Italian surname that is derived from the name Alessandro, which is a Greek name meaning "defender of mankind."
27. **Massimino:** A surname that is derived from the Italian name Massimo, which is a Latin name meaning "greatest" or "maximum."
28. **Neri:** Black; a common Italian surname that describes someone with dark hair or a dark complexion. It is often found in the north of Italy and the region of Tuscany.
29. **Berardi:** A surname that is derived from the Italian word "berardo," meaning "brave" or "bold." It is often found in the region of Abruzzo.
30. **Piccinini:** Small; a common Italian surname that signifies someone who is small in size.
31. **Molinari:** Miller; a common Italian surname that signifies someone who works as a miller.
32. **Di Francesco:** Son of Francis; a common Italian surname that signifies someone who is the son of someone named Francis.
33. **Pagano:** A surname that is derived from the Latin word "paganus," meaning "country dweller" or "rustic."
34. **Cattaneo:** A surname that is derived from the Italian word "cattaneo," meaning "cat owner." It is often found in the region of Lombardy.
35. **Santoro:** Holy; a common Italian surname that signifies someone who is holy or associated with a saint.
36. **Angelini:** A surname that is derived from the Italian word "angelo," meaning "angel."
37. **Caruso:** A surname that is derived from the Italian word "carus," meaning "dear" or "beloved."
38. **De Simone:** A surname that is derived from the Italian name Simone, which is a Hebrew name meaning "God has heard."
39. **Fiore:** Flower; a common Italian surname that signifies someone who is beautiful or graceful.
40. **Bonetti:** A surname that is derived from the Italian word "bonetto," meaning "little good" or "good person."
41. **Vitiello:** A surname that is derived from the Italian word "vitello," meaning "calf."
42. **Delgado:** Thin; a common Italian surname that describes someone who is thin or slender.
43. **Lombardo:** A surname that is derived from the region of Lombardy in northern Italy.
44. **Gentile:** Noble; a common Italian surname that signifies someone who is of noble birth or character.
45. **Castelli:** A surname that is derived from the Italian word "castello," meaning "castle."
46. **Ferraioli:** A surname that is derived from the Italian word "ferraiolo," meaning "iron worker."
47. **D'Agostino:** A surname that is derived from the Italian name Agostino, which is a Latin name meaning "venerable" or "worthy of respect."
48. **De Marco:** A surname that is derived from the Italian word "marco," meaning "boundary" or "border."
49. **Ventura:** Fortune; a common Italian surname that signifies someone who is fortunate or who has good luck.
50. **Caputo:** Cut off; a common Italian surname that signifies someone who is cut off or separated from a family or community.
51. **Giordano:** A surname that is derived from the Italian word "giordano," meaning "from Jordan."
52. **Bellini:** A surname that is derived from the Italian word "bello," meaning "beautiful."
53. **De Santis:** A surname that is derived from the Italian word "santo," meaning "saint."
54. **Salerno:** A surname that is derived from the city of Salerno in southern Italy.
55. **Vito:** Life; a common Italian surname that signifies someone who is alive or full of life.
56. **Marino:** A surname that is derived from the Italian word "mare," meaning "sea."
57. **Di Palma:** A surname that is derived from the Italian word "palma," meaning "palm tree."
58. **Rocco:** A surname that is derived from the Italian name Rocco, which is a German name meaning "fame" or "glory."
59. **Corrao:** A surname that is derived from the Italian word "corrado," meaning "brave" or "courageous."
60. **D'Alessandro:** A surname that is derived from the Italian name Alessandro, which is a Greek name meaning "defender of mankind."
61. **Orlando:** A surname that is derived from the Italian name Orlando, which is a Germanic name meaning "famous in battle."
62. **La Porta:** A surname that is derived from the Italian word "porta," meaning "door."
63. **De Stefano:** A surname that is derived from the Italian name Stefano, which is a Greek name meaning "crown" or "wreath."
64. **Di Matteo:** A surname that is derived from the Italian name Matteo, which is a Hebrew name meaning "gift of God."
65. **Della Monica:** A surname that is derived from the Italian name Monica, which is a Latin name meaning "adviser."
66. **Mastro:** Master; a common Italian surname that signifies someone who is a master craftsman or expert in a particular field.
67. **De Rosa:** A surname that is derived from the Italian word "rosa," meaning "rose."
68. **Di Lorenzo:** A surname that is derived from the Italian name Lorenzo, which is a Latin name meaning "laurel" or "wreath."
69. **Di Giovanni:** A surname that is derived from the Italian name Giovanni, which is a Hebrew name meaning "God is gracious."
70. **Di Marco:** A surname that is derived from the Italian name Marco, which is a Latin name meaning "warlike."
71. **Cucinotta:** A surname that is derived from the Italian word "cucinare," meaning "to cook."
72. **De Luca:** A surname that is derived from the Italian word "luce," meaning "light."
73. **Di Napoli:** A surname that is derived from the city of Naples in southern Italy.
74. **Di Pietro:** A surname that is derived from the Italian name Pietro, which is a Greek name meaning "stone" or "rock."
75. **Di Biase:** A surname that is derived from the Italian word "biase," meaning "bias" or "prejudice."
76. **Di Lorenzo:** A surname that is derived from the Italian name Lorenzo, which is a Latin name meaning "laurel" or "wreath."
77. **Di Matteo:** A surname that is derived from the Italian name Matteo, which is a Hebrew name meaning "gift of God."
78. **Di Palma:** A surname that is derived from the Italian word "palma," meaning "palm tree."
79. **Di Napoli:** A surname that is derived from the city of Naples in southern Italy.
80. **Di Stefano:** A surname that is derived from the Italian name Stefano, which is a Greek name meaning "crown" or "wreath."