Italian Last Names: A Guide to Their Origins and Meanings

Looking for the perfect Italian last name? Whether you're writing a character for a story, researching your family history, or simply curious about the rich tapestry of Italian surnames, this list is your starting point. Italian last names, or cognomi, are deeply rooted in the country's history, culture, and geography. From ancient Roman times to the Renaissance and beyond, these names tell stories of place, occupation, and family heritage. Let's delve into the fascinating world of Italian surnames and uncover the meanings behind these evocative names.
1. **Abate:** Meaning "abbot" or "father," this surname reflects the influence of the Catholic Church in Italian history.
2. **Aiello:** Derived from the Italian word "aghello," meaning "garlic," this surname likely originated as a nickname for someone known for their love of garlic.
3. **Alberti:** A common Italian surname meaning "nobleman" or "white," referencing the noble lineage or fair complexion of the bearer.
4. **Alessandrini:** A patronymic surname meaning "son of Alessandro," which itself means "defender of mankind."
5. **Amato:** Meaning "beloved" or "dear," this surname reflects the affectionate nature of the family or the fondness held for the bearer.
6. **Andreotti:** A patronymic surname meaning "son of Andrea," which itself means "manly" or "courageous."
7. **Angelini:** Meaning "little angel," this surname reflects the bearer's perceived purity, innocence, or good nature.
8. **Antonacci:** A patronymic surname meaning "son of Antonio," which itself means "priceless" or "invaluable."
9. **Armani:** This surname originates from the Italian word "arma," meaning "arms" or "weapons," possibly indicating a family's association with warfare or weaponry.
10. **Baglioni:** A surname of noble origin, potentially derived from the Latin word "baglionus," meaning "hawk."
11. **Baldi:** This surname derives from the Italian word "baldo," meaning "bold" or "strong," reflecting the bearer's courageous or powerful nature.
12. **Barbieri:** A surname originating from the Italian word "barbiere," meaning "barber," indicating the bearer's profession or that of their ancestors.
13. **Bellini:** A surname that means "handsome" or "beautiful," potentially referencing the bearer's physical appearance or an admired quality.
14. **Benetti:** A patronymic surname meaning "son of Benedetto," which itself means "blessed" or "fortunate."
15. **Bernardi:** A patronymic surname meaning "son of Bernardo," which itself means "bold" or "brave."
16. **Bianchi:** This surname, meaning "white," likely originated as a descriptive nickname for someone with fair hair or skin.
17. **Bonetti:** A patronymic surname meaning "son of Benedetto," which itself means "blessed" or "fortunate."
18. **Bongiorno:** Meaning "good morning," this surname could have been a nickname given to someone known for their cheerful disposition.
19. **Botticelli:** A surname of unknown origin, possibly related to a type of flower or a specific place.
20. **Brunelli:** A surname derived from the Italian word "brunella," meaning "little brown," possibly describing the bearer's hair color.
21. **Calabrese:** This surname means "from Calabria," a region in southern Italy, indicating the family's origins.
22. **Campanella:** Meaning "little bell," this surname could have originated as a nickname for someone with a melodious voice or as a reference to a bell tower.
23. **Capriotti:** A surname meaning "little goat," potentially referencing the bearer's profession, such as a shepherd, or their personality traits.
24. **Caruso:** Meaning "dear" or "beloved," this surname likely originates from a term of endearment.
25. **Casale:** This surname means "farmhouse" or "village," indicating the family's origin in a rural area.
26. **Castellani:** A surname meaning "from the castle," indicating the family's association with a castle or their origins in a town near one.
27. **Catalano:** Meaning "Catalan," this surname reflects the family's origins in Catalonia, a region in Spain.
28. **Cavalli:** This surname, meaning "horses," likely originated as a nickname for someone who bred or worked with horses.
29. **Celentano:** A surname of unknown origin, possibly related to a specific place or a personal characteristic.
30. **Celli:** A surname meaning "cells," potentially referencing a profession associated with building or maintaining structures.
31. **Chiaramonte:** This surname means "bright mountain," likely reflecting the family's origins in a mountainous region with a clear view.
32. **Cinelli:** This surname, meaning "little ash tree," likely originated as a descriptive nickname for someone who lived near an ash tree or worked with its wood.
33. **Colombo:** Meaning "dove," this surname may have been a nickname for someone known for their peaceful nature or their association with doves.
34. **Conti:** This surname, meaning "counts," indicates the family's noble lineage or their association with a count.
35. **Corsi:** A surname originating from the Italian word "corso," meaning "course," possibly referring to the bearer's profession or their residence near a river or waterway.
36. **Cosenza:** This surname means "from Cosenza," a city in Calabria, Italy, indicating the family's origins.
37. **D'Angelo:** This surname means "angel" and indicates the bearer's belief in or connection to angels.
38. **De Angelis:** Meaning "of the angel," this surname is similar to D'Angelo and may reflect a family's connection to a religious order or the bearer's perceived good nature.
39. **De Luca:** This surname means "from Lucca," a city in Tuscany, Italy, indicating the family's origins.
40. **Della Rocca:** This surname means "of the rock," likely referencing the family's origin near a rock formation or their strength and resilience.
41. **Di Marco:** This surname means "son of Marco," which itself means "war god" or "martial."
42. **Di Pietro:** This surname means "son of Pietro," which itself means "stone" or "rock."
43. **Di Rosa:** This surname means "son of Rosa," which itself means "rose," symbolizing beauty and love.
44. **Doria:** This surname, meaning "golden," likely originated as a nickname for someone with blond hair or as a symbol of wealth or prosperity.
45. **Ferrari:** This surname, meaning "blacksmith," indicates the bearer's profession or that of their ancestors.
46. **Ferretti:** A surname derived from the Italian word "ferretto," meaning "little iron," possibly referencing the bearer's profession or their association with iron.
47. **Filippo:** A surname meaning "lover of horses," potentially referencing the bearer's profession or their passion for horses.
48. **Florio:** This surname means "flower," symbolizing beauty, growth, and new beginnings.
49. **Fontana:** A surname meaning "fountain," indicating the family's residence near a fountain or their association with water.
50. **Fortunato:** This surname means "fortunate" or "lucky," reflecting the belief in good fortune or the bearer's perceived good luck.
51. **Frasca:** This surname, meaning "whip," likely originated as a nickname for someone who worked with horses or as a symbol of strength or authority.
52. **Galli:** This surname, meaning "Gauls," refers to the ancient Celtic people who inhabited parts of Gaul (modern-day France) and Italy.
53. **Gallo:** This surname, meaning "rooster," likely originated as a nickname for someone known for their loud voice or their association with roosters.
54. **Gargano:** This surname means "from Gargano," a mountain range in southern Italy, indicating the family's origins.
55. **Genovese:** This surname means "from Genoa," a city in Liguria, Italy, indicating the family's origins.
56. **Giannini:** A patronymic surname meaning "son of Gianni," which itself is a diminutive form of "Giovanni," meaning "God is gracious."
57. **Giardini:** A surname meaning "gardens," likely referencing the family's residence near a garden or their association with gardening.
58. **Gigli:** This surname, meaning "lily," symbolizes purity, innocence, and beauty.
59. **Giovanelli:** A surname meaning "little Giovanni," which itself means "God is gracious."
60. **Giordano:** This surname means "from Jordan," potentially referencing a place or a biblical figure.
61. **Grasso:** This surname, meaning "fat," likely originated as a descriptive nickname for someone who was overweight.
62. **Guidi:** This surname, meaning "guides," likely originated as a nickname for someone known for their leadership or their expertise in navigating.
63. **Lombardo:** This surname means "from Lombardy," a region in northern Italy, indicating the family's origins.
64. **Lorenzi:** A patronymic surname meaning "son of Lorenzo," which itself means "crowned with laurel."
65. **Lucci:** A surname meaning "lights," possibly referencing the family's residence near a source of light or their association with light.
66. **Luciani:** A patronymic surname meaning "son of Luciano," which itself means "light" or "bright."
67. **Macchia:** This surname, meaning "stain," likely originated as a descriptive nickname for someone who had a noticeable stain on their clothes or a birthmark.
68. **Maggio:** This surname means "May," referencing the month of May or a place associated with the month.
69. **Maltese:** This surname means "from Malta," an island nation in the Mediterranean Sea, indicating the family's origins.
70. **Mancini:** This surname, meaning "from the manor," indicates the family's association with a large house or estate.
71. **Marchesi:** This surname, meaning "Marquis," indicates the family's noble lineage or their association with a marquis.
72. **Mariani:** A patronymic surname meaning "son of Maria," which itself means "bitter" or "rebellious."
73. **Martini:** A patronymic surname meaning "son of Martino," which itself means "war god."
74. **Massi:** This surname, meaning "masses," likely originated as a nickname for someone who was large or weighty.
75. **Mazzei:** This surname, meaning "hammer," likely originated as a nickname for someone who worked as a blacksmith or as a symbol of strength.
76. **Meloni:** This surname, meaning "melons," likely originated as a nickname for someone who grew or sold melons.
77. **Merli:** This surname, meaning "blackbirds," likely originated as a nickname for someone who resembled a blackbird or lived near a place where blackbirds were common.
78. **Micheli:** A surname meaning "little Michael," which itself means "who is like God."
79. **Milano:** This surname means "from Milan," a city in Lombardy, Italy, indicating the family's origins.
80. **Minetti:** This surname, meaning "little mine," likely originated as a nickname for someone who worked in a mine or lived near one.
81. **Molinari:** A surname meaning "miller," indicating the bearer's profession or that of their ancestors.
82. **Monaco:** This surname means "monk," potentially referencing the family's association with a monastery or the bearer's religious vocation.
83. **Montagnani:** A surname meaning "from the mountain," indicating the family's origins in a mountainous region.
84. **Morelli:** A surname meaning "little mulberry tree," likely referencing the family's residence near a mulberry tree or their association with mulberry trees.
85. **Mosca:** This surname, meaning "fly," likely originated as a nickname for someone who resembled a fly or was known for their buzzing voice.
86. **Nardi:** A patronymic surname meaning "son of Nardo," which itself is a diminutive form of "Leonardo," meaning "lion-hearted."
87. **Neri:** This surname, meaning "black," likely originated as a descriptive nickname for someone with dark hair or skin.
88. **Novelli:** This surname, meaning "new," likely originated as a nickname for someone who was a newcomer to a town or as a symbol of fresh beginnings.
89. **Olivotto:** This surname, meaning "little olive tree," likely referencing the family's residence near an olive tree or their association with olive trees.
90. **Orsi:** This surname, meaning "bears," likely originated as a nickname for someone who resembled a bear or was known for their strength.
91. **Palmieri:** This surname, meaning "palm tree," likely referencing the family's residence near a palm tree or their association with palm trees.
92. **Panzini:** This surname, meaning "little belly," likely originated as a descriptive nickname for someone who had a large belly.
93. **Paoletti:** A surname meaning "little Paul," which itself means "small."
94. **Pasquale:** This surname means "Easter," referencing the Christian holiday or a place associated with Easter.
95. **Pellegrini:** A surname meaning "pilgrim," potentially referencing the family's history of pilgrimage or the bearer's religious devotion.
96. **Pepe:** This surname, meaning "pepper," likely originated as a nickname for someone who had a spicy personality or was known for their love of pepper.
97. **Perotti:** A patronymic surname meaning "son of Perotto," which itself is a diminutive form of "Pietro," meaning "stone" or "rock."
98. **Piccini:** A surname meaning "little pic," possibly referencing a place or a physical characteristic.
99. **Pierini:** A surname meaning "little Peter," which itself means "stone" or "rock."
100. **Pirozzi:** This surname, meaning "pyrotechnics," likely originated as a nickname for someone who worked with fireworks or was known for their fiery nature.
101. **Polito:** This surname, meaning "polished," likely originated as a nickname for someone who was well-dressed or had a refined appearance.
102. **Ponte:** This surname means "bridge," indicating the family's residence near a bridge or their association with bridges.
103. **Porcelli:** This surname, meaning "little pig," likely originated as a nickname for someone who resembled a pig or was known for their greed.
104. **Provenzano:** This surname means "from Provenzano," a place in Sicily, Italy, indicating the family's origins.
105. **Quattrini:** This surname means "four pennies," likely referencing the family's wealth or their profession as money changers.
106. **Rinaldi:** A patronymic surname meaning "son of Rinaldo," which itself means "counselor" or "adviser."
107. **Rizzo:** This surname, meaning "curly haired," likely originated as a descriptive nickname for someone with curly hair.
108. **Rossi:** This surname, meaning "red," likely originated as a descriptive nickname for someone with red hair or skin.
109. **Russo:** This surname, meaning "red," is similar to Rossi and likely originated as a descriptive nickname for someone with red hair or skin.
110. **Sacchetti:** This surname, meaning "little bags," likely originated as a nickname for someone who worked with bags or carried them.
111. **Salvatore:** This surname means "savior," potentially referencing the bearer's role in saving someone or their connection to a religious figure.
112. **Santoro:** This surname means "holy" or "saintly," likely referencing the bearer's religious devotion or perceived holiness.
113. **Sasso:** This surname, meaning "stone," likely originated as a descriptive nickname for someone who lived near a stone formation or was known for their strength.
114. **Scaglietti:** This surname, meaning "little ladder," likely originated as a nickname for someone who worked as a carpenter or as a symbol of climbing to success.
115. **Scardina:** This surname, meaning "little thistle," likely originated as a nickname for someone who resembled a thistle or was known for their prickly nature.
116. **Scotto:** This surname, meaning "Scot," indicates the family's origins in Scotland or their connection to Scottish people.
117. **Sforza:** This surname, meaning "strength," likely originated as a nickname for someone known for their physical strength or resilience.
118. **Silvestri:** A surname meaning "from the forest," indicating the family's origins in a wooded area.
119. **Simone:** This surname means "listener" or "he who hears," likely referencing the bearer's ability to listen attentively or their connection to a religious figure.
120. **Sorrentino:** This surname means "from Sorrento," a city in Campania, Italy, indicating the family's origins.
121. **Spadaro:** This surname, meaning "swordsman," likely originated as a nickname for someone known for their swordsmanship or their association with weapons.
122. **Spina:** This surname, meaning "thorn," likely originated as a nickname for someone who resembled a thorn or was known for their prickly nature.
123. **Stefani:** A surname meaning "crown," potentially referencing the family's noble lineage or the bearer's status as a leader.
124. **Stella:** This surname, meaning "star," symbolizes hope, guidance, and inspiration.
125. **Testa:** This surname, meaning "head," likely originated as a nickname for someone who was known for their intelligence or their large head.
126. **Tiano:** This surname means "from the earth," potentially referencing the family's connection to agriculture or their humble origins.
127. **Tognazzi:** This surname, meaning "small cloak," likely originated as a nickname for someone who wore a small cloak or as a symbol of humility.
128. **Torri:** This surname, meaning "towers," likely referencing the family's residence near a tower or their association with towers.
129. **Valente:** This surname means "brave" or "strong," reflecting the bearer's courageous or powerful nature.
130. **Valentino:** This surname means "strong" or "healthy," potentially referencing the bearer's physical strength or their good health.
131. **Velluto:** This surname, meaning "velvet," likely originated as a nickname for someone who was known for their softness or elegance.
132. **Ventura:** This surname means "fortune" or "good luck," reflecting the belief in good fortune or the bearer's perceived good luck.
133. **Verdi:** This surname, meaning "green," likely originated as a descriptive nickname for someone with green eyes or hair or as a symbol of growth and renewal.
134. **Verona:** This surname means "from Verona," a city in Veneto, Italy, indicating the family's origins.
135. **Viani:** This surname, meaning "wine," likely originated as a nickname for someone who worked in the wine industry or was known for their love of wine.
136. **Vinci:** This surname means "conquering," potentially referencing the family's history of victory or the bearer's determination to succeed.
137. **Vitale:** This surname means "life," symbolizing vitality, energy, and new beginnings.
138. **Vittorio:** This surname means "victory," potentially referencing the family's history of victory or the bearer's determination to succeed.
139. **Zito:** This surname, meaning "citizen," likely originated as a nickname for someone who was a resident of a specific city or town.
140. **Zucchi:** This surname, meaning "sugar," likely originated as a nickname for someone who worked with sugar or was known for their sweetness.