Italian Last Names and Meanings: A Guide to Understanding Italian Surnames

Explore the rich history and cultural significance of Italian last names, delving into their origins, meanings, and the stories they tell. This guide will unravel the mysteries behind these unique and evocative surnames, revealing the diverse influences and cultural nuances that have shaped them.
1. **Agresti:** From the Latin word *ager*, meaning "field," this surname signifies a person who lived near or worked in a field.
2. **Alberti:** Derived from the Germanic name *Albert*, meaning "noble and bright," this surname indicates a person of high status or intelligence.
3. **Amato:** Meaning "beloved" in Italian, this surname suggests a person who was cherished or held in high regard.
4. **Andreotti:** A variation of the name *Andrew*, meaning "manly" or "strong," this surname reflects a person's strength and leadership qualities.
5. **Angeli:** Derived from the Latin word *angelus*, meaning "messenger of God," this surname symbolizes a person with divine favor or guidance.
6. **Antonacci:** A variant of the name *Anthony*, meaning "priceless" or "valuable," this surname signifies a person of great worth or significance.
7. **Aragona:** This surname originates from the Aragonese region of Spain and has a rich history linked to the royal family of Aragon.
8. **Arias:** This surname, with origins in Spanish and Portuguese, means "of the air," evoking a sense of freedom and elevation.
9. **Armani:** Derived from the Italian word *arma*, meaning "arms" or "weapons," this surname suggests a person associated with warfare or military service.
10. **Bartoli:** From the Latin word *bartulus*, meaning "little beard," this surname signifies a person with a short beard.
11. **Bellini:** Derived from the Italian word *bello*, meaning "beautiful," this surname suggests a person of exceptional beauty or grace.
12. **Benetti:** A variant of the name *Benedict*, meaning "blessed" or "favored by God," this surname symbolizes a person with divine blessings.
13. **Berardi:** Derived from the German name *Berengar*, meaning "brave" or "strong bear," this surname signifies a person with strength and courage.
14. **Bianchi:** Meaning "white" in Italian, this surname suggests a person with fair skin or a light complexion.
15. **Biscotti:** From the Italian word *biscotto*, meaning "cookie," this surname signifies a person who was a baker or seller of cookies.
16. **Bonetti:** A variant of the name *Boniface*, meaning "good faith" or "well-meaning," this surname symbolizes a person with honesty and integrity.
17. **Bongiorno:** Meaning "good morning" in Italian, this surname suggests a person who was known for their cheerful greetings.
18. **Borghese:** This surname originates from the town of Borghese, Italy, known for its beautiful gardens and historical architecture.
19. **Botticelli:** Derived from the Italian word *bottega*, meaning "workshop," this surname signifies a person who was an artisan or craftsman.
20. **Bruno:** This surname, with origins in Germanic languages, means "brown" or "dark," often referring to a person's hair color.
21. **Calabrese:** Originating from the region of Calabria in Italy, this surname indicates a person from that region.
22. **Calvetti:** Derived from the Italian word *calvo*, meaning "bald," this surname signifies a person who was bald or had thinning hair.
23. **Campanella:** This surname, meaning "little bell" in Italian, suggests a person who was a bell maker or lived near a church with bells.
24. **Cannizzaro:** This surname originates from the town of Cannizzaro in Sicily, Italy, known for its picturesque landscapes.
25. **Cantone:** This surname, meaning "corner" or "angle" in Italian, suggests a person who lived near a corner or crossroads.
26. **Capriotti:** Derived from the Italian word *capra*, meaning "goat," this surname signifies a person who was a goat herder or lived near a goat pasture.
27. **Caruso:** This surname, of Sicilian origin, means "dear" or "beloved," suggesting a person who was cherished or held in high regard.
28. **Casale:** Meaning "farm" or "country house" in Italian, this surname signifies a person who lived on or worked on a farm.
29. **Castellani:** Derived from the Italian word *castello*, meaning "castle," this surname suggests a person who lived near a castle or was associated with it.
30. **Cavaliere:** Meaning "knight" or "gentleman" in Italian, this surname signifies a person of high rank or social standing.
31. **Cerrito:** This surname, meaning "little hill" in Italian, suggests a person who lived near a hill or on a slope.
32. **Chiesa:** Derived from the Italian word *chiesa*, meaning "church," this surname signifies a person who worked for the church or lived near one.
33. **Cipriani:** A variant of the name *Cyprian*, meaning "born on Cyprus," this surname indicates a person from the island of Cyprus or with Cypriot ancestry.
34. **Colombo:** Meaning "dove" in Italian, this surname suggests a person with gentle nature or peace-loving qualities.
35. **Conti:** This surname, meaning "counts" or "earls," suggests a person of noble or aristocratic lineage.
36. **Corsi:** Originating from the region of Corsica in France, this surname indicates a person from that region.
37. **D'Angelo:** This surname, meaning "of the angel," suggests a person with a divine connection or a pure soul.
38. **De Luca:** This surname, meaning "of the place," suggests a person from a specific location or area.
39. **Di Lorenzo:** This surname, meaning "of Lorenzo," suggests a person with familial ties to the name Lorenzo.
40. **Doria:** This surname, of Genoese origin, suggests a person from the city of Genoa, known for its maritime history.
41. **Durante:** This surname, meaning "lasting" or "enduring," suggests a person with perseverance and resilience.
42. **Fiore:** Meaning "flower" in Italian, this surname suggests a person with beauty, grace, or a gentle spirit.
43. **Fontana:** This surname, meaning "fountain" in Italian, suggests a person who lived near a fountain or water source.
44. **Forgione:** Derived from the Italian word *forge*, this surname signifies a person who was a blacksmith or worked in a forge.
45. **Fraioli:** This surname, meaning "friar" or "monk," suggests a person who belonged to a religious order.
46. **Galli:** This surname, meaning "Gauls" or "French," suggests a person with Celtic ancestry or a connection to Gaul.
47. **Gallo:** Meaning "rooster" in Italian, this surname suggests a person with boldness or a strong personality.
48. **Gargano:** This surname, of Southern Italian origin, refers to the Gargano Peninsula, known for its mountainous terrain and forests.
49. **Gentile:** Meaning "noble" or "gentle" in Italian, this surname suggests a person with good character or refined manners.
50. **Giordano:** A variant of the name *Jordan*, meaning "descending" or "flowing down," this surname suggests a person who lived near a river or stream.
51. **Giuliani:** This surname, meaning "of Julius," suggests a person with familial ties to the name Julius.
52. **Granata:** This surname, meaning "pomegranate" in Italian, suggests a person who lived in a region known for its pomegranate trees.
53. **Guarino:** This surname, meaning "watchman" or "protector" in Italian, suggests a person who was a guard or had a protective role.
54. **Iannucci:** A variant of the name *John*, meaning "God is gracious," this surname suggests a person with divine favor.
55. **La Porta:** This surname, meaning "the door," suggests a person who lived near a gate or entrance.
56. **Lazzeri:** This surname, meaning "Lazarus," suggests a person with a connection to the biblical figure Lazarus.
57. **Leone:** Meaning "lion" in Italian, this surname suggests a person with strength, courage, and leadership qualities.
58. **Lombardo:** This surname, originating from the region of Lombardy in Italy, indicates a person from that region.
59. **Lorenzi:** This surname, meaning "of Lorenzo," suggests a person with familial ties to the name Lorenzo.
60. **Lucci:** This surname, meaning "lights" or "lamps," suggests a person who was a lamp maker or worked with light.
61. **Macaluso:** This surname, meaning "big" or "large" in Sicilian, suggests a person with a strong presence or commanding stature.
62. **Maggio:** This surname, meaning "May" in Italian, suggests a person born in the month of May.
63. **Maltese:** This surname, of Maltese origin, indicates a person from the island of Malta.
64. **Mancini:** This surname, meaning "of the hand," suggests a person skilled in a trade or craft that involves manual labor.
65. **Marchese:** This surname, meaning "marquis" or "nobleman," suggests a person of high rank or social standing.
66. **Marconi:** This surname, of Tuscan origin, suggests a person from the region of Tuscany, known for its art and culture.
67. **Martini:** This surname, meaning "of Mars," suggests a person associated with the Roman god of war.
68. **Masini:** This surname, meaning "of Maso," suggests a person with familial ties to the name Maso.
69. **Mattei:** This surname, meaning "of Matthew," suggests a person with familial ties to the name Matthew.
70. **Mazza:** This surname, meaning "club" or "mace," suggests a person who was a warrior or used a mace as a weapon.
71. **Merlo:** This surname, meaning "blackbird" in Italian, suggests a person with a connection to birds or a blackbird's characteristics.
72. **Micheli:** This surname, meaning "of Michael," suggests a person with familial ties to the name Michael.
73. **Molinari:** This surname, meaning "miller," suggests a person who worked in a mill or was associated with flour production.
74. **Monaco:** This surname, meaning "monk" in Italian, suggests a person who was a monk or lived near a monastery.
75. **Monti:** This surname, meaning "mountains" in Italian, suggests a person who lived near mountains or in a mountainous region.
76. **Morabito:** This surname, of Arabic origin, means "master" or "chieftain," suggesting a person with authority or leadership.
77. **Morelli:** This surname, meaning "of the mulberry tree," suggests a person who lived near or worked with mulberry trees.
78. **Mucci:** This surname, meaning "mucous" or "slime," suggests a person who worked with or was associated with slime.
79. **Nardi:** This surname, meaning "brave" or "bold" in Italian, suggests a person with courage and strength.
80. **Navarro:** This surname, of Spanish origin, refers to a person from the region of Navarre, known for its history and cultural traditions.
81. **Neri:** This surname, meaning "black" in Italian, suggests a person with dark hair or a dark complexion.
82. **Novelli:** This surname, meaning "new" or "recent," suggests a person who was a newcomer to a place or a recent arrival.
83. **Orlando:** This surname, meaning "famous in the land," suggests a person with a distinguished reputation or notable achievements.
84. **Orsini:** This surname, meaning "bear" in Italian, suggests a person with strength, courage, or a connection to bears.
85. **Palmieri:** This surname, meaning "palm tree," suggests a person who lived near or worked with palm trees.
86. **Panetta:** This surname, meaning "little loaf of bread," suggests a person who was a baker or worked with bread.
87. **Pasquale:** This surname, meaning "Easter" or "Paschal," suggests a person born during the Easter season.
88. **Pellegrini:** This surname, meaning "pilgrim," suggests a person who traveled for religious reasons or had a connection to pilgrimage.
89. **Pelligra:** This surname, meaning "dangerous skin," suggests a person with a unique or unusual skin condition.
90. **Perugini:** This surname, originating from the region of Perugia in Italy, indicates a person from that region.
91. **Piccini:** This surname, meaning "little ones" in Italian, suggests a person with a small stature or a family with many children.
92. **Piero:** This surname, meaning "Peter" in Italian, suggests a person with familial ties to the name Peter.
93. **Pinelli:** This surname, meaning "pine tree," suggests a person who lived near or worked with pine trees.
94. **Pintauro:** This surname, of Sicilian origin, refers to a person from the city of Pintauro, known for its historical significance.
95. **Pirozzi:** This surname, meaning "fire" or "blaze" in Italian, suggests a person with a fiery personality or a connection to fire.
96. **Polito:** This surname, meaning "polished" or "refined" in Italian, suggests a person with elegance or sophistication.
97. **Pompei:** This surname, of Roman origin, suggests a person with a connection to the ancient city of Pompeii.
98. **Porcelli:** This surname, meaning "little pigs" in Italian, suggests a person who was a pig farmer or lived near pigs.
99. **Quattrociocchi:** This surname, meaning "four eyes," suggests a person with a unusual eye condition or with a nickname referencing their eyes.
100. **Rinaldi:** This surname, meaning "of the Rhine," suggests a person with Germanic ancestry or a connection to the Rhine River.
101. **Rizzo:** This surname, meaning "curly haired" in Italian, suggests a person with curly hair.
102. **Roberto:** This surname, meaning "bright fame" in Italian, suggests a person with a distinguished reputation or notable achievements.
103. **Romano:** This surname, meaning "Roman," suggests a person with Roman ancestry or a connection to the Roman Empire.
104. **Rossi:** This surname, meaning "red" in Italian, suggests a person with red hair or a reddish complexion.
105. **Russo:** This surname, meaning "red" or "blond" in Italian, suggests a person with light-colored hair or a connection to the south of Italy.
106. **Sabella:** This surname, of Sicilian origin, suggests a person from Sicily, known for its rich culture and history.
107. **Salvatore:** This surname, meaning "savior" in Italian, suggests a person with a protective or caring nature.
108. **Santoro:** This surname, meaning "holy" or "saintly," suggests a person with a devout religious faith.
109. **Sasso:** This surname, meaning "stone" in Italian, suggests a person who lived near or worked with stones.
110. **Savino:** This surname, meaning "of St. Savin," suggests a person with a connection to St. Savin, a patron saint of Italy.
111. **Scaglietti:** This surname, meaning "little steps" or "small ladders" in Italian, suggests a person who lived near or worked with steps or ladders.
112. **Scalia:** This surname, meaning "steps" or "ladders" in Italian, suggests a person who lived near or worked with steps or ladders.
113. **Schiavone:** This surname, meaning "Slav" in Italian, suggests a person with Slavic ancestry or a connection to Slavic people.
114. **Sciacca:** This surname, originating from the city of Sciacca in Sicily, Italy, suggests a person from that region.
115. **Scopelliti:** This surname, meaning "little broom" in Italian, suggests a person who was a street sweeper or worked with brooms.
116. **Serafini:** This surname, meaning "cherub" in Italian, suggests a person with a pure or angelic nature.
117. **Silvestri:** This surname, meaning "of the forest," suggests a person who lived near or worked in a forest.
118. **Simeone:** This surname, meaning "Simon" in Italian, suggests a person with familial ties to the name Simon.
119. **Sorrentino:** This surname, originating from the region of Sorrento in Italy, indicates a person from that region.
120. **Spadaro:** This surname, meaning "sword maker" in Italian, suggests a person who was a blacksmith or a sword maker.
121. **Spinelli:** This surname, meaning "thorns" or "spines" in Italian, suggests a person who lived near or worked with thorns or spines.
122. **Stella:** This surname, meaning "star" in Italian, suggests a person with a bright future or a unique personality.
123. **Testa:** This surname, meaning "head" in Italian, suggests a person who was intelligent or had a strong personality.
124. **Torchia:** This surname, meaning "torch" in Italian, suggests a person who worked with or was associated with torches.
125. **Travaglia:** This surname, meaning "work" or "labor" in Italian, suggests a person who was hardworking or dedicated to their work.
126. **Tucci:** This surname, meaning "touch" or "feel" in Italian, suggests a person who was sensitive or had a strong sense of touch.
127. **Valente:** This surname, meaning "brave" or "strong" in Italian, suggests a person with courage and strength.
128. **Vellucci:** This surname, meaning "little veil" in Italian, suggests a person who was a weaver or worked with veils.
129. **Ventura:** This surname, meaning "good fortune" or "luck" in Italian, suggests a person with a positive outlook or good fortune.
130. **Verdi:** This surname, meaning "green" in Italian, suggests a person with a love for nature or a green complexion.
131. **Verona:** This surname, originating from the city of Verona in Italy, suggests a person from that region.
132. **Vianello:** This surname, meaning "little vineyard" in Italian, suggests a person who was a winemaker or lived near a vineyard.
133. **Vignola:** This surname, meaning "vineyard" in Italian, suggests a person who was a winemaker or lived near a vineyard.
134. **Villa:** This surname, meaning "village" in Italian, suggests a person who lived in or was from a village.
135. **Vinci:** This surname, meaning "to conquer" or "to win" in Italian, suggests a person with a strong will or a determination to succeed.
136. **Vitale:** This surname, meaning "life" or "vital" in Italian, suggests a person with a vibrant personality or a strong spirit.
137. **Zito:** This surname, meaning "citizen" in Italian, suggests a person who was a resident of a city or town.
138. **Zucchi:** This surname, meaning "sugar" or "sweet" in Italian, suggests a person who worked with or was associated with sugar or sweets.
139. **Zuccaro:** This surname, meaning "sugarcane" or "sugar plant" in Italian, suggests a person who was a sugar farmer or worked with sugarcane.
140. **Zunino:** This surname, of Genoese origin, suggests a person from the city of Genoa, known for its maritime history.