Italian Surnames with Meanings: A Comprehensive Guide

Are you curious about the fascinating history and meaning behind Italian surnames? This comprehensive guide will explore the diverse origins and rich symbolism embedded in some of the most common and unique Italian last names. From ancient Roman roots to regional influences, each surname tells a story of family heritage and cultural identity.
1. **Abate:** Derived from the Latin "abbas" meaning "father" or "abbot," this surname is often associated with religious figures.

2. **Amato:** Meaning "beloved" or "loved one," this surname reflects affection and tenderness.

3. **Andreotti:** Derived from the name Andrea, meaning "manly" or "brave."

4. **Angelini:** From the Latin "angelus," meaning "angel," this surname suggests a connection to angelic beings or a benevolent nature.

5. **Antonacci:** A variation of the name Antonio, meaning "priceless" or "valuable."

6. **Barbieri:** Derived from the Italian word "barbiere," meaning "barber," this surname reflects a historical profession.

7. **Bellini:** Meaning "beautiful" or "handsome," this surname highlights aesthetic qualities.

8. **Benelli:** Derived from the name Benedetta, meaning "blessed" or "fortunate."

9. **Bertolucci:** From the Italian word "bertolo," meaning "helmet," this surname may have been given to someone who wore a helmet for protection.

10. **Bianchi:** Meaning "white," this surname is often associated with fair complexion or purity.

11. **Bocelli:** From the Italian word "bocca," meaning "mouth," this surname may have been given to someone known for their eloquence or speaking skills.

12. **Bonetti:** Meaning "little good one" or "good little one," this surname suggests a positive disposition.

13. **Botticelli:** Derived from the Italian word "bottega," meaning "workshop" or "studio," this surname may have been given to someone who worked in a workshop.

14. **Bruno:** Meaning "brown" or "dark," this surname reflects physical attributes.

15. **Calabrese:** Originating from the region of Calabria in southern Italy, this surname indicates ancestral roots.

16. **Calandri:** Derived from the Italian word "calandra," meaning "lark," this surname may have been given to someone who resembled the bird.

17. **Campanella:** From the Italian word "campana," meaning "bell," this surname may have been given to someone who lived near a church with a bell.

18. **Canali:** Meaning "canals," this surname may have been given to someone who lived near or worked on canals.

19. **Caputo:** Derived from the Italian word "capo," meaning "head," this surname may have been given to someone who was a leader or head of a family.

20. **Caruso:** Meaning "dear" or "beloved," this surname reflects affection and love.

21. **Casale:** From the Italian word "casale," meaning "farmhouse" or "village," this surname indicates ancestral roots in rural areas.

22. **Castelli:** Meaning "castles," this surname may have been given to someone who lived near or worked in a castle.

23. **Catalano:** Originating from Catalonia in Spain, this surname indicates ancestral roots in that region.

24. **Cervantes:** Derived from the Spanish word "cervantes," meaning "deer," this surname may have been given to someone who hunted or lived near deer.

25. **Chiesa:** Meaning "church," this surname may have been given to someone who lived near or worked in a church.

26. **Cimino:** Derived from the Italian word "cimino," meaning "summit" or "peak," this surname may have been given to someone who lived in a mountainous area.

27. **Colapietro:** From the Italian words "cola" meaning "tail" and "pietra" meaning "stone," this surname may have been given to someone who lived near a rocky area.

28. **Colombo:** Meaning "dove," this surname is often associated with peace and purity.

29. **Corsi:** Derived from the Italian word "corso," meaning "course" or "path," this surname may have been given to someone who lived near a road or path.

30. **Cucinotta:** From the Italian word "cucinare," meaning "to cook," this surname may have been given to someone who was a chef or worked in the kitchen.

31. **D'Ambrosio:** Derived from the name Ambrose, meaning "immortal" or "divine."

32. **De Angelis:** Meaning "of the angels," this surname suggests a connection to angelic beings.

33. **De Laurentiis:** Derived from the name Laurentius, meaning "laurel" or "bay tree."

34. **Del Vecchio:** Meaning "of the old one" or "of the elder," this surname suggests ancestral lineage.

35. **Di Lorenzo:** Derived from the name Lorenzo, meaning "laurel" or "bay tree."

36. **Donatello:** From the name Donato, meaning "given" or "bestowed," this surname may have been given to someone who was given as a gift.

37. **Ferrero:** Derived from the Italian word "ferro," meaning "iron," this surname may have been given to someone who worked with iron.

38. **Ferrari:** Meaning "blacksmith," this surname is often associated with the renowned Italian car manufacturer.

39. **Filippo:** Derived from the name Philip, meaning "lover of horses."

40. **Fiorentino:** Originating from the city of Florence, this surname indicates ancestral roots.

41. **Fontana:** Meaning "fountain," this surname may have been given to someone who lived near or worked with a fountain.

42. **Fiore:** Meaning "flower," this surname is often associated with beauty and grace.

43. **Galliano:** Derived from the name Gallienus, meaning "cock" or "rooster."

44. **Gargano:** Originating from the Gargano Mountains in southeastern Italy, this surname indicates ancestral roots.

45. **Gatto:** Meaning "cat," this surname may have been given to someone who resembled or was associated with a cat.

46. **Gennaro:** Derived from the name Januarius, meaning "born in January."

47. **Giordano:** Derived from the name Jordan, meaning "flowing down."

48. **Giuliani:** Derived from the name Julian, meaning "youthful" or "downy-bearded."

49. **Grimaldi:** Meaning "from the grim" or "from the griffin," this surname may have been given to someone who lived near a griffin-like creature.

50. **Guadagnino:** Derived from the Italian word "guadagnare," meaning "to earn" or "to gain."

51. **Iacono:** Derived from the name John, meaning "God is gracious."

52. **LaPorta:** Meaning "the door," this surname may have been given to someone who lived near or worked with a door.

53. **Lombardo:** Originating from the region of Lombardy in northern Italy, this surname indicates ancestral roots.

54. **Lorenzi:** Derived from the name Lorenzo, meaning "laurel" or "bay tree."

55. **Lucci:** Derived from the name Lucius, meaning "light" or "shining."

56. **Mancini:** Derived from the Italian word "mano," meaning "hand," this surname may have been given to someone who was skilled with their hands.

57. **Marchetti:** Derived from the name Marcus, meaning "warlike" or "dedicated to Mars."

58. **Marino:** Meaning "sea" or "marine," this surname may have been given to someone who lived near or worked on the sea.

59. **Martini:** Derived from the name Martin, meaning "warlike" or "dedicated to Mars."

60. **Masciarelli:** From the Italian word "maschera," meaning "mask," this surname may have been given to someone who wore a mask.

61. **Mastrangelo:** Meaning "master angel," this surname suggests a connection to angelic beings or a position of authority.

62. **Mattei:** Derived from the name Matthew, meaning "gift of God."

63. **Mazzei:** From the Italian word "mazzo," meaning "bunch" or "bundle," this surname may have been given to someone who worked with bundles of materials.

64. **Mercurio:** Derived from the Roman god Mercury, known for his speed and communication skills.

65. **Micheli:** Derived from the name Michael, meaning "who is like God?"

66. **Moretti:** Derived from the Italian word "morto," meaning "dead," this surname may have been given to someone who was a gravekeeper or worked with the dead.

67. **Napoli:** Originating from the city of Naples, this surname indicates ancestral roots.

68. **Neri:** Meaning "black," this surname reflects physical attributes.

69. **Orlando:** Derived from the name Roland, meaning "famous land" or "glory of the land."

70. **Pagano:** Meaning "pagan" or "non-Christian," this surname may have been given to someone who was not Christian or who lived in a pagan area.

71. **Palumbo:** Meaning "dove," this surname is often associated with peace and purity.

72. **Panettiere:** From the Italian word "panettiere," meaning "baker," this surname reflects a historical profession.

73. **Pellegrino:** Meaning "pilgrim," this surname may have been given to someone who traveled on a pilgrimage.

74. **Pellizzari:** Derived from the Italian word "pelliccia," meaning "fur" or "skin," this surname may have been given to someone who worked with fur.

75. **Perotti:** Meaning "little pear" or "small pear," this surname may have been given to someone who resembled a pear or who grew pears.

76. **Pesce:** Meaning "fish," this surname may have been given to someone who lived near or worked with fish.

77. **Piccini:** Meaning "little one" or "small one," this surname suggests a small stature.

78. **Piero:** Derived from the name Peter, meaning "rock" or "stone."

79. **Pinelli:** Derived from the name Penelope, meaning "weaver."

80. **Pisano:** Originating from the city of Pisa, this surname indicates ancestral roots.

81. **Polito:** Meaning "polished" or "refined," this surname suggests a polished appearance or refined character.

82. **Porcaro:** Derived from the Italian word "porco," meaning "pig," this surname may have been given to someone who raised pigs.

83. **Porta:** Meaning "door," this surname may have been given to someone who lived near or worked with a door.

84. **Posillipo:** Originating from the Posillipo district in Naples, this surname indicates ancestral roots.

85. **Provenzano:** Originating from the town of Provenzano in Sicily, this surname indicates ancestral roots.

86. **Pugliese:** Originating from the region of Apulia in southeastern Italy, this surname indicates ancestral roots.

87. **Rinaldi:** Derived from the name Reynald, meaning "counselor" or "wise ruler."

88. **Rizzo:** Meaning "curly" or "wavy," this surname reflects physical attributes.

89. **Romano:** Originating from the ancient Roman Empire, this surname indicates ancestral roots in Rome.

90. **Rossi:** Meaning "red," this surname reflects physical attributes.

91. **Russo:** Meaning "red," this surname is a variation of Rossi.

92. **Salvatore:** Derived from the name Salvador, meaning "savior."

93. **Sandro:** Derived from the name Alexander, meaning "defender of mankind."

94. **Santoro:** Meaning "holy" or "saintly," this surname suggests a connection to religious figures.

95. **Sasso:** Meaning "stone," this surname may have been given to someone who lived near or worked with stones.

96. **Scalia:** Derived from the Italian word "scala," meaning "stairs" or "ladder," this surname may have been given to someone who lived near stairs or ladders.

97. **Scorsese:** From the Italian word "scorza," meaning "bark" or "rind," this surname may have been given to someone who worked with trees or bark.

98. **Sforza:** Meaning "strong" or "powerful," this surname suggests strength and authority.

99. **Silvestri:** Derived from the name Sylvester, meaning "forest" or "wood."

100. **Sorrentino:** Originating from the town of Sorrento, this surname indicates ancestral roots.

101. **Spada:** Meaning "sword," this surname may have been given to someone who was a warrior or who worked with swords.

102. **Speranza:** Meaning "hope," this surname suggests optimism and faith.

103. **Stella:** Meaning "star," this surname is often associated with brilliance and guidance.

104. **Testa:** Meaning "head," this surname may have been given to someone who was a leader or head of a family.

105. **Tognazzi:** From the Italian word "togna," meaning "cloak" or "cape," this surname may have been given to someone who wore a cloak.

106. **Torino:** Originating from the city of Turin, this surname indicates ancestral roots.

107. **Valente:** Meaning "brave" or "courageous," this surname suggests strength and bravery.

108. **Valentino:** Derived from the name Valentine, meaning "strong" or "healthy."

109. **Vito:** Derived from the name Vitus, meaning "life" or "living."

110. **Zito:** Meaning "citizen" or "inhabitant," this surname may have been given to someone who lived in a particular town or city.

111. **Zucconi:** Derived from the Italian word "zucchero," meaning "sugar," this surname may have been given to someone who worked with sugar.