527+ Italian Last Names [With Meanings]

Italian last names, like many other cultures, can provide insight into a person’s ancestry, geographical location, or occupation.

Some of the characteristics of Italian last names are:

• Regional Identity: Italian last names often reflect the region of Italy where a person’s ancestors came from. For example, last names like Rossi, Bianchi, and Neri are common in Tuscany, while last names like Esposito, Russo, and Rizzo are more common in southern Italy.
• Patronyms and Matronyms: Italian last names sometimes reflect the father’s or mother’s name of the person. For example, Giovanni di Marco would have a last name of Giovanni, while Maria di Marco would have a last name of Marco.
• Occupation: Some Italian last names are derived from the person’s occupation. For example, Contadino means farmer, Muratore means mason, and Fabbri means blacksmith.
• Descriptive: Italian last names sometimes describe a physical or personal characteristic of the person. For example, Brunetti means “little brown-haired one”, Moretti means “little dark one”, and Romano means “from Rome”.
• Historical Events: Some Italian last names are related to historical events or figures. For example, Garibaldi, after the Italian revolutionary Giuseppe Garibaldi, or Colombo, after Christopher Columbus, who was Italian.
• Suffixes: Many Italian last names have a suffix, such as -i, -o, -a, or -e, which can indicate the gender of the person or their family history. For example, last names ending in -i are often masculine and indicate a family history in Tuscany or Emilia-Romagna, while last names ending in -a are often feminine and indicate a family history in southern Italy.

Overall, Italian last names can provide a glimpse into a person’s family history, cultural identity, and regional origins.

Common Italian Last Names (Most Common Italian Last Names)

Common Italian Last Names:

• Rossi – Derived from the Italian word for “red”.
• Russo – Means “red-haired” in Italian.
• Esposito – Means “exposed” or “laid bare” in Italian.
• Bianchi – Derived from the Italian word for “white”.
• Romano – Means “Roman” in Italian.
• Ferrari – Derived from the Italian word for “blacksmith”.
• Marino – Means “of the sea” in Italian.
• Greco – Means “Greek” in Italian.
• Lombardi – Refers to someone from the Lombardy region of Italy.
• Conti – Derived from the Latin word “comes”, meaning “companion” or “count”.
• Gallo – Means “rooster” in Italian.
• Vitale – Derived from the Latin name Vitalis, meaning “life-giving”.

Popular Italian Last Names

Popular Italian Last Names:

• Giuseppe – Means “God shall add” in Hebrew.
• Salvatore – Means “savior” in Italian.
• Antonelli – Derived from the Latin name Antonius, meaning “priceless”.
• Bellini – Means “little beautiful one” in Italian.
• Lombardi – Refers to someone from the Lombardy region of Italy.
• De Luca – Means “of Luke” in Italian.
• Moretti – Derived from the Italian word “moro”, meaning “dark-skinned”.
• Ferrari – Derived from the Italian word for “blacksmith”.
• Rizzo – Means “curly-haired” in Italian.
• Ricci – Means “curly-haired” in Italian.
• Russo – Means “red-haired” in Italian.
• Greco – Means “Greek” in Italian.

20 Italian Last Names And Their Meanings, I cognomi italiani comuni e il loro significato

Italian Mafia Last Names

Italian Mafia Last Names:

• Gambino – Named after Carlo Gambino, a former boss of the Gambino crime family.
• Luciano – Named after Charles “Lucky” Luciano, a former boss of the Genovese crime family.
• Gotti – Named after John Gotti, a former boss of the Gambino crime family.
• Corleone – Named after the fictional Corleone family in The Godfather.
• Bonanno – Named after Joseph Bonanno, a former boss of the Bonanno crime family.
• Genovese – Named after Vito Genovese, a former boss of the Genovese crime family.
• Colombo – Named after Joseph Colombo, a former boss of the Colombo crime family.
• Luchese – Named after Gaetano “Tommy” Luchese, a former boss of the Luchese crime family.
• Mangano – Named after Vincent Mangano, a former boss of the Gambino crime family.
• Profaci – Named after Joseph Profaci, a former boss of the Colombo crime family.
• Scarfo – Named after Nicodemo Scarfo, a former boss of the Philadelphia crime family.
• Zerilli – Named after Joseph Zerilli, a former boss of the Detroit Partnership.

Sicilian Last Names

Sicilian Last Names:

• Accardi – Means “landowner” or “farmer” in Sicilian.
• Bellomo – Means “handsome man” in Sicilian.
• Cannizzo – Means “reed bed” in Sicilian.
• Fazio – Means “blond hair” in Sicilian.
• Greco – Means “Greek” in Sicilian, reflecting the Greek influence in Sicily’s history.
• La Barbera – Means “barber” in Sicilian.
• Lombardo – Means “from Lombardy” in Sicilian, reflecting the Lombard influence in Sicily’s history.
• Miceli – Means “son of Michel” or “son of Michael” in Sicilian.
• Noto – Means “known” or “famous” in Sicilian.
• Pappalardo – Means “father of Alardo” or “father of Adalhard” in Sicilian.
• Rizzo – Means “curly-haired” in Sicilian.
• Zappalà – Means “shoemaker” in Sicilian.

Rare Italian Last Names

Rare Italian Last Names:

• Alberici – Means “elf ruler” in Italian.
• Boccalupo – Means “wolf mouth” in Italian.
• D’Aquino – Means “of Aquino” in Italian, referring to the town of Aquino in central Italy.
• Giordano – Means “Jordanian” in Italian, referring to the River Jordan.
• Lazzarini – Means “little Lazarus” in Italian.
• Malatesta – Means “bad head” in Italian, originally a nickname for a person with a misshapen head.
• Marini – Means “of the sea” in Italian.
• Olivieri – Means “olive tree worker” in Italian.
• Petroni – Means “son of Peter” in Italian.
• Spada – Means “sword” in Italian.
• Tiberio – Means “of the Tiber River” in Italian.
• Zanetti – Means “little John” in Italian.

Exotic Italian Surnames

Exotic Italian Surnames:

• Amato – Means “beloved” in Italian.
• Bellini – Means “little bell” in Italian.
• Caruso – Means “dear one” in Italian.
• Ferrara – Means “of Ferrara” in Italian, referring to the city in northern Italy.
• Fiorelli – Means “little flower” in Italian.
• Gallo – Means “rooster” in Italian.
• Giannotti – Means “son of Giovanni” in Italian.
• Luciano – Means “light” or “bright” in Italian.
• Martini – Means “little Martin” in Italian.
• Rossi – Means “red-haired” or “red-faced” in Italian.
• Santoro – Means “holy” or “saintly” in Italian.
• Valentino – Means “strong” or “healthy” in Italian.

Uncommon Italian Last Names

Uncommon Italian Last Names:

• Accorsi – Derived from the Italian word “accorso”, meaning “happened”.
• Carbone – Means “charcoal” in Italian.
• Damiani – Derived from the Latin name Damianus, meaning “to tame” or “subdue”.
• Fabbri – Means “blacksmiths” in Italian.
• Grimaldi – Means “old money” in Italian.
• La Rosa – Means “the rose” in Italian.
• Manzoni – Means “son of Manzo”, a short form of the name Immanuel, meaning “God is with us”.
• Nocera – Refers to someone from Nocera, a town in southern Italy.
• Pagano – Means “pagan” in Italian.
• Rinaldi – Means “wise ruler” in Italian.
• Sartori – Means “tailors” in Italian.
• Taddeo – Derived from the Aramaic name Thaddeus, meaning “courageous heart”.

Unique Italian Last Names

Unique Italian Last Names:

• Aldobrandi – Means “wise ruler” in Italian.
• Alighieri – Means “descendant of Ali” in Italian.
• Bernini – Derived from the Latin name Berninus, meaning “brave like a bear”.
• Borghese – Means “of the town” in Italian.
• Corrado – Means “bold advisor” in Italian.
• D’Angelo – Means “of the angel” in Italian.
• Farinelli – Means “little miller” in Italian.
• Mancini – Derived from the Latin name Mancinus, meaning “left-handed”.
• Raimondi – Derived from the Germanic name Raginmund, meaning “wise protector”.
• Santoni – Means “little saint” in Italian.
• Sforza – Means “strength” in Italian.
• Zanetti – Means “little John” in Italian.

Badass Italian Last Names

Badass Italian Last Names:

• Barzini – Refers to someone from Barzio, a town in northern Italy.
• Corleone – Named after the fictional Corleone family in The Godfather.
• Falcone – Means “falcon” in Italian.
• Mangano – Named after Vincent Mangano, a former boss of the Gambino crime family.
• Moretti – Derived from the Italian word “moro”, meaning “dark-skinned”.
• Neri – Means “black” in Italian.
• Rossetti – Derived from the Italian word “rosso”, meaning “red”.
• Salvatore – Means “savior” in Italian.
• Soprano – Named after the fictional Soprano crime family in The Sopranos.
• Valenti – Derived from the Latin name Valentinus, meaning “strong, healthy”.
• Vitale – Derived from the Latin name Vitalis, meaning “life-giving”.
• Zito – Means “little one” in Italian.

Italian American Last Names

Italian American Last Names:

• Amato – Means “beloved” in Italian.
• Bianchi – Means “white” in Italian.
• De Luca – Means “of Luca” in Italian, referring to the city in Tuscany.
• Esposito – Means “exposed” or “exposed to light” in Italian.
• Marino – Means “of the sea” in Italian.
• Rossi – Means “red-haired” or “red-faced” in Italian.
• Russo – Means “red-haired” or “red-faced” in Italian.
• Santoro – Means “holy” or “saintly” in Italian.
• Vitale – Means “life” in Italian.
• Lombardi – Means “from Lombardy” in Italian, referring to the region in northern Italy.
• Romano – Means “from Rome” in Italian.
• Conti – Means “counts” or “earls” in Italian.

Cool Italian Last Names

Cool Italian Last Names:

• Borgia – Means “man of Borja” in Italian.
• Calabrese – Means “from Calabria” in Italian, referring to the region in southern Italy.
• Corleone – Means “heart of the lion” in Italian, made famous by the Godfather movies.
• Ferrari – Means “blacksmith” in Italian.
• Gallo – Means “rooster” in Italian.
• Moretti – Means “little dark one” in Italian.
• Napoli – Means “from Naples” in Italian.
• Pagano – Means “pagan” in Italian.
• Pellegrino – Means “pilgrim” or “traveler” in Italian.
• Salvatore – Means “savior” in Italian.
• Vincenzi – Means “son of Vincent” in Italian.
• Zampieri – Means “son of Zampiero” in Italian.

Lists of Italian Last Names

Lists of Italian Last Names:

• Amato – Means “beloved” in Italian.
• Bianchi – Means “white” in Italian.
• Esposito – Means “exposed” or “exposed to light” in Italian.
• Ferrari – Means “blacksmith” in Italian.
• Greco – Means “Greek” in Italian.
• Lombardo – Means “from Lombardy” in Italian, referring to the region in northern Italy.
• Martini – Means “little Martin” in Italian.
• Neri – Means “black” in Italian.
• Pagano – Means “pagan” in Italian.
• Rossi – Means “red-haired” or “red-faced” in Italian.
• Santoro – Means “holy” or “saintly” in Italian.
• Zanetti – Means “little John” in Italian.

Rich Italian Last Names

Rich Italian Last Names:

• Agnelli – Named after the wealthy Agnelli family in Italy.
• Benetton – Named after the Benetton family, founders of the Benetton Group fashion brand.
• Ferrari – Named after the luxury sports car manufacturer.
• Lamborghini – Named after the luxury sports car manufacturer.
• Marchesi – Means “marchioness” in Italian, a title given to nobility.
• Medici – Named after the powerful Medici family who ruled Florence in the Renaissance period.
• Missoni – Named after the Missoni family, founders of the Missoni fashion brand.
• Prada – Named after the Prada fashion brand.
• Versace – Named after the Versace fashion brand.
• Visconti – Named after the Visconti family, who ruled Milan in the medieval period.
• Zegna – Named after the Zegna fashion brand.
• Zucchi – Named after the Zucchi family, founders of the Zucchi Group textile company.

Old Italian Last Names

Old Italian Last Names:

• Basso – Means “short” in Italian.
• Bellini – Means “little beautiful one” in Italian.
• Donati – Means “given” in Italian.
• Fabrizio – Derived from the Latin name Fabricius, meaning “craftsman”.
• Gentile – Means “gentle” in Italian.
• Lupo – Means “wolf” in Italian.
• Martino – Derived from the Latin name Martinus, meaning “of Mars”, the Roman god of war.
• Pellegrino – Means “pilgrim” in Italian.
• Rossi – Means “red” in Italian.
• Salvatore – Means “savior” in Italian.
• Valente – Derived from the Latin name Valentinus, meaning “strong, healthy”.
• Vitale – Derived from the Latin name Vitalis, meaning “life-giving”.

Long Italian Last Names

Long Italian Last Names:

• Antonelli – Means “son of Antonello”, a diminutive of the name Antonio.
• Barbieri – Means “barber” in Italian.
• Bonaventura – Means “good fortune” in Italian.
• Conti – Means “counts” in Italian.
• De Santis – Means “of the saints” in Italian.
• Esposito – Means “exposed” in Italian, referring to an abandoned child.
• Fratangelo – Means “brother angel” in Italian.
• Giordano – Means “flowing down” in Italian.
• Grasso – Means “fat” in Italian.
• Marchesini – Means “little marchioness” in Italian.
• Ruggiero – Derived from the Germanic name Rogerius, meaning “famous spear”.
• Serafino – Derived from the Hebrew name Seraphim, meaning “burning ones”.

Girl Italian Last Names [Female]

Girl Italian Last Names [Female]:

• Abategiovanni – Means “the priest’s daughter” in Italian.
• Belladonna – Means “beautiful woman” in Italian.
• Cipriani – Means “of Cyprus” in Italian.
• D’Angelo – Means “of the angels” in Italian.
• Ferrari – Means “blacksmith” in Italian.
• Giordano – Means “flowing down” in Italian.
• Grimaldi – Means “grey-bearded” in Italian.
• Lombardi – Means “from Lombardy” in Italian, referring to the region in northern Italy.
• Moretti – Means “little dark one” in Italian.
• Rossi – Means “red-haired” or “red-faced” in Italian.
• Romano – Means “from Rome” in Italian.
• Russo – Means “red-haired” or “red-faced” in Italian.

Men’s Italian Last Names [Male]

Men’s Italian Last Names [Male]:

• Bianchi – Means “white” in Italian.
• Colombo – Means “dove” in Italian.
• Esposito – Means “exposed” or “exposed to light” in Italian.
• Ferrari – Means “blacksmith” in Italian.
• Gallo – Means “rooster” in Italian.
• Giordano – Means “flowing down” in Italian.
• Lombardo – Means “from Lombardy” in Italian, referring to the region in northern Italy.
• Moretti – Means “little dark one” in Italian.
• Neri – Means “black” in Italian.
• Pagano – Means “pagan” in Italian.
• Romano – Means “from Rome” in Italian.
• Rossi – Means “red-haired” or “red-faced” in Italian.

Famous Italian Last Names

Famous Italian Last Names:

• Agnelli – Family of industrialists and founders of Fiat.
• Armani – Fashion designer, known for his haute couture and ready-to-wear lines.
• Berlusconi – Former Prime Minister of Italy and media mogul.
• Borgia – Renaissance family known for its papacy and political intrigues.
• Brunelleschi – Renaissance architect and engineer who designed the dome of the Florence Cathedral.
• Capone – Infamous American gangster of Italian descent.
• Colombo – Explorer credited with discovering America for Europe.
• Da Vinci – Renaissance artist, inventor, and scientist known for the Mona Lisa and The Last Supper.
• Ferrari – Founder of the luxury car manufacturer Ferrari.
• Garibaldi – Italian general and nationalist who played a key role in the unification of Italy.
• Medici – Renaissance family known for its political power and patronage of the arts.
• Versace – Fashion designer, known for his extravagant designs and use of bright colors.

Italian Last Names That Start With A

Italian Last Names That Start With A:

• Abbate – Derived from the Latin word abbas, meaning “abbot”.
• Accardi – Means “from Accardi”, a town in Sicily.
• Adamo – Derived from the Hebrew name Adam, meaning “man”.
• Agostini – Derived from the name Augustinus, meaning “venerable”.
• Alba – Means “dawn” or “sunrise” in Italian.
• Amato – Means “beloved” in Italian.
• Anzalone – Means “son of Anzalone”, a variant of the name Anselmo.
• Armani – Named after the fashion brand founded by Giorgio Armani.
• Artino – Derived from the name Artus, meaning “bear”.
• Azzopardi – Means “son of Azzopardi”, a Sicilian surname meaning “leopard”.

Italian Last Names That Start With B

Italian Last Names That Start With B:

• Baldi – Derived from the name Baldo, meaning “bold”.
• Barone – Means “baron” in Italian.
• Battaglia – Means “battle” in Italian.
• Bellini – Means “little beautiful one” in Italian.
• Benedetti – Means “blessed” in Italian.
• Bianchi – Means “white” in Italian.
• Bonanno – Means “good year” in Italian.
• Borghi – Means “villages” or “hamlets” in Italian.
• Bruno – Means “brown” in Italian.
• Buccellato – Means “biscuit” in Italian.

Italian Last Names That Start With C

Italian Last Names That Start With C:

• Capone – Means “big hat” in Italian.
• Carbone – Means “coal” in Italian.
• Cardinale – Means “cardinal” in Italian.
• Caruso – Means “boy” in Italian.
• Casella – Means “little house” in Italian.
• Castelli – Means “castles” in Italian.
• Cattaneo – Derived from the name Catanius, meaning “from Catania”.
• Ciccone – Means “big cheeks” in Italian.
• Colombo – Derived from the name Colombus, meaning “dove”.
• Costa – Means “coast” or “rib” in Italian.

Italian Last Names That Start With D

Italian Last Names That Start With D:

• D’Angelo – Means “of the angels” in Italian.
• D’Antonio – Means “son of Antonio” in Italian.
• D’Arco – Means “of the arch” in Italian.
• D’Avanzo – Means “of the advance” or “of the progress” in Italian.
• De Luca – Means “son of Luca” in Italian.
• De Rosa – Means “of the rose” in Italian.
• Del Vecchio – Means “of the old” in Italian.
• Di Matteo – Means “son of Matteo” in Italian.
• Di Napoli – Means “from Naples” in Italian.
• Donatelli – Means “gift of God” in Italian.
• Domenico – Means “of the Lord” in Italian.
• D’Agostino – Means “son of Agostino” in Italian.

Italian Last Names That Start With E

Italian Last Names That Start With E:

• Esposito – Means “exposed” or “exposed to light” in Italian.
• Evangelista – Means “evangelist” in Italian.
• Errico – Means “ruler of the people” in Italian.
• Esposita – Means “wife of Esposito” in Italian.
• Esparza – Means “the harvest” in Italian.
• Ercolano – Means “from Herculaneum” in Italian.
• Estrella – Means “star” in Italian.
• Emiliani – Means “son of Emiliano” in Italian.
• Emanuele – Means “God is with us” in Italian.
• Ettore – Means “steadfast” in Italian.
• Emilio – Means “rival” in Italian.
• Ercoli – Means “son of Hercules” in Italian.

Italian Last Names That Start With F

Italian Last Names That Start With F:

• Ferrari – Means “blacksmith” in Italian.
• Fiore – Means “flower” in Italian.
• Fabbri – Means “blacksmith” in Italian.
• Fazio – Means “blond” in Italian.
• Ficarra – Means “fig tree” in Italian.
• Ferrante – Means “steadfast” in Italian.
• Fiumara – Means “river” in Italian.
• Folino – Means “son of Folino” in Italian.
• Fortunato – Means “fortunate” in Italian.
• Ferrucci – Means “son of Ferruccio” in Italian.
• Fabrizio – Means “craftsman” in Italian.
• Fratelli – Means “brothers” in Italian.

Italian Last Names That Start With G

Italian Last Names That Start With G:

• Gallo – Means “rooster” in Italian.
• Gambino – Means “one leg” in Italian.
• Garibaldi – Named after Italian general Giuseppe Garibaldi.
• Gentile – Means “kind” or “gentle” in Italian.
• Giordano – Derived from the name Jordan, meaning “to flow down”.
• Grasso – Means “fat” in Italian.
• Greco – Means “Greek” in Italian.
• Grossi – Means “big” or “great” in Italian.
• Guerra – Means “war” in Italian.
• Guido – Means “guide” in Italian.

Italian Last Names That Start With H

Italian Last Names That Start With H:

• Hernandez – Derived from the Spanish name Hernando, meaning “bold voyager”.
• Hidalgo – Means “nobleman” in Spanish.
• Holguin – Means “a grove of holly trees” in Spanish.
• Hurtado – Means “wounded” or “hurt” in Spanish.
• Herrera – Derived from the Spanish word for “ironworker”.
• Heredia – Derived from the Spanish city of Heredia.
• Huerta – Means “orchard” in Spanish.
• Hernandez – Means “son of Hernando” in Spanish.
• Haro – Means “cliff” in Spanish.
• Hierro – Means “iron” in Spanish.

Italian Last Names That Start With I

Italian Last Names That Start With I:

• Iannucci – Means “son of John” in Italian.
• Ippolito – Derived from the Greek name Hippolytos, meaning “horse-freer”.
• Iacovelli – Means “son of Jacob” in Italian.
• Iodice – Means “judge” in Italian.
• Iorio – Means “son of George” in Italian.
• Iovino – Means “son of Giovanni” in Italian.
• Imbrogno – Means “tricky” or “deceitful” in Italian.
• Inglese – Means “English” in Italian.
• Incognito – Means “unknown” or “concealed” in Italian.
• Infante – Means “child” or “young person” in Italian.

Italian Last Names That Start With J

Italian Last Names That Start With J:

• Jacopo – Means “supplanter” in Italian.
• Jovine – Means “youthful” in Italian.
• Jolanda – Means “violet” in Italian.
• Jannelli – Means “son of Janello” in Italian.
• Jacono – Means “son of Giacomo” in Italian.
• Jovinelli – Means “son of Jovino” in Italian.
• Joppolo – Means “from Joppa” in Italian.
• Junio – Means “young” or “junior” in Italian.
• Jovane – Means “youthful” in Italian.
• Jovino – Means “youthful” in Italian.
• Jovanka – Means “God is gracious” in Italian.
• Jorizzo – Means “son of Orazio” in Italian.

Italian Last Names That Start With K

Italian Last Names That Start With K:

• Kappa – Means “K” in Italian.
• Kiri – Means “grace” in Italian.
• Kistner – Means “chestmaker” in Italian.
• Kilian – Means “follower of Saint Kilian” in Italian.
• Kessler – Means “caulker” in Italian.
• Krieger – Means “warrior” in Italian.
• Kuhner – Means “wagoneer” in Italian.
• Kustermann – Means “innkeeper” in Italian.
• Kunkel – Means “spindle maker” in Italian.
• Kastner – Means “chestmaker” in Italian.
• Kaiser – Means “emperor” in Italian.
• Kain – Means “spear” in Italian.

Italian Last Names That Start With L

Italian Last Names That Start With L:

• Lombardi – Means “person from Lombardy” in Italian.
• Luciano – Means “light” in Italian.
• Lupo – Means “wolf” in Italian.
• Lo Russo – Means “the Russian” in Italian.
• La Rosa – Means “the rose” in Italian.
• Leone – Means “lion” in Italian.
• Lo Conte – Means “the count” in Italian.
• La Barbera – Means “the barber” in Italian.
• Lombardo – Means “from Lombardy” in Italian.
• Longo – Means “tall” in Italian.
• Lanza – Means “lance” in Italian.
• Lo Presti – Means “the priest” in Italian.

Italian Last Names That Start With M

Italian Last Names That Start With M:

• Martini – derived from the name Martino, meaning “warrior of Mars.”
• Moretti – originating from the word “moretto,” meaning “dark” or “swarthy.”
• Marino – meaning “of the sea,” derived from the Latin word “marinus.”
• Mancini – derived from the Latin name “Magnus,” meaning “great” or “important.”
• Monti – originating from the word “monte,” meaning “mountain.”
• Marchetti – originating from the month of March, named after the Roman god Mars.
• Milanese – meaning “from Milan,” a city in northern Italy.
• Messina – originating from the Sicilian city of the same name.
• Mazzini – meaning “little hammer,” a nickname for someone who worked as a blacksmith.
• Mastropietro – meaning “master of stones,” a surname often given to stonecutters.
• Melucci – meaning “soft,” “gentle,” or “sweet.”
• Martucci – derived from the name Martino, meaning “warrior of Mars.”

Italian Last Names That Start With N

Italian Last Names That Start With N:

• Neri – meaning “black” or “dark,” often given to someone with dark hair or complexion.
• Novak – an Italianized version of the Slavic name Novak, meaning “newcomer.”
• Napolitano – meaning “from Naples,” a city in southern Italy.
• Nuzzo – a diminutive of the name Nunzio, meaning “messenger” or “announcer.”
• Natale – meaning “Christmas,” often given to someone born on or near the holiday.
• Nicolosi – originating from the town of Nicolosi in Sicily.
• Nocera – originating from the town of Nocera Inferiore in southern Italy.
• Navarro – derived from the Spanish word for “Basque,” indicating someone of Basque origin.
• Nanni – meaning “grace” or “favour.”
• Nigro – meaning “black” or “dark,” often given to someone with dark hair or complexion.
• Nocito – meaning “little nut,” often given to someone who owned or worked in a nut orchard.
• Neriello – meaning “little black,” often given to someone with dark hair or complexion.

Italian Last Names That Start With O

Italian Last Names That Start With O:

• Olivieri – meaning “olive grower” or “olive seller.”
• Orsini – originating from the Latin name Ursus, meaning “bear.”
• Orlando – meaning “famous throughout the land,” derived from the Old Germanic name Roland.
• Orefice – meaning “goldsmith.”
• Ottaviano – meaning “eighth-born,” often given to the eighth child in a family.
• Onofrio – derived from the Greek name Onuphrios, meaning “benefit” or “profit.”
• Olivetto – meaning “little olive,” often given to someone who owned or worked in an olive grove.
• Orazio – originating from the Latin name Horatius, meaning “timekeeper” or “hour watcher.”
• Oliva – meaning “olive,” often given to someone who owned or worked in an olive grove.
• Ospina – meaning “little host,” often given to someone who worked as a hospitality worker or innkeeper.
• Omodei – meaning “modest” or “humble.”
• Oddi – meaning “high” or “lofty,” often given to someone who lived in an elevated area.

Italian Last Names That Start With P

Italian Last Names That Start With P:

• Pagano – Derived from the Latin word “paganus,” meaning “villager,” this surname is often associated with rural areas.
• Paladino – From the Italian word “paladino,” meaning “champion” or “knight,” this surname is often associated with bravery or heroism.
• Palmieri – Derived from the Italian word “palma,” meaning “palm,” this surname is often associated with those who lived near palm trees.
• Panetta – Derived from the Italian word “pane,” meaning “bread,” this surname is often associated with those who were bakers or involved in the bread-making industry.
• Panico – Derived from the Italian word “panico,” meaning “panic” or “fear,” this surname is often associated with those who were easily frightened or anxious.
• Parisi – Derived from the city of Paris in France, this surname is often associated with those who have French ancestry.
• Pellegrini – Derived from the Italian word “pellegrino,” meaning “pilgrim,” this surname is often associated with those who went on religious pilgrimages.
• Perrotta – Derived from the Italian word “perro,” meaning “dog,” this surname is often associated with those who were dog breeders or had a strong connection to dogs.
• Petrillo – Derived from the Italian word “pietra,” meaning “stone,” this surname is often associated with those who worked with stone or lived near rocky terrain.
• Piccolo – Derived from the Italian word “piccolo,” meaning “small,” this surname is often associated with those who were of small stature.
• Piscopo – Derived from the Italian word “pesce,” meaning “fish,” this surname is often associated with those who were involved in the fishing industry.
• Pizzuto – Derived from the Italian word “pizza,” meaning “pie,” this surname is often associated with those who were bakers or involved in the pastry-making industry.

Italian Last Names That Start With Q

Italian Last Names That Start With Q:

• Quaglia – Derived from the Italian word “quaglia,” meaning “quail,” this surname is often associated with those who were involved in the hunting or trapping of quail.
• Quaranta – Derived from the Italian word “quaranta,” meaning “forty,” this surname is often associated with those who were born or lived in the fortieth district of a town or city.
• Quaresima – Derived from the Italian word “quaresima,” meaning “Lent,” this surname is often associated with those who were born during the period of Lent or had religious connections.
• Quarto – Derived from the Italian word “quarto,” meaning “quarter,” this surname is often associated with those who were born or lived in the fourth district of a town or city.
• Quattrocchi – Derived from the Italian words “quattro” and “occhi,” meaning “four eyes,” this surname is often associated with those who wore glasses or had a physical characteristic that made them appear to have four eyes.
• Quercia – Derived from the Italian word “quercia,” meaning “oak tree,” this surname is often associated with those who lived near oak trees or had a connection to them.
• Quilici – Derived from the Italian word “quill,” meaning “quill” or “feather,” this surname is often associated with those who were involved in the feather trade or had a connection to feathers.
• Quinci – Derived from the Italian word “cinque,” meaning “five,” this surname is often associated with those who were born or lived in the fifth district of a town or city.
• Quoniam – Derived from the Latin phrase “quoniam ipsa,” meaning “because she herself,” this surname is often associated with those who were descended from noble families or had connections to royalty.

Italian Last Names That Start With R

Italian Last Names That Start With R:

• Raffa – Derived from the Hebrew name Raphael, meaning “God has healed,” this surname is often associated with those who had a connection to the medical field or were healers.
• Raimondi – Derived from the Germanic name Raimund, meaning “wise protector,” this surname is often associated with those who were protective or had a connection to the military.
• Rinaldi – Derived from the Germanic name Reginald, meaning “counselor-ruler,” this surname is often associated with those who were advisors or leaders.
• Ricci – Derived from the Italian word “riccio,” meaning “curly,” this surname is often associated with those who had curly hair or a curly personality.
• Romano – Derived from the Latin name Romanus, meaning “of Rome,” this surname is often associated with those who had a connection to the city of Rome.
• Rossi – Derived from the Italian word “rosso,” meaning “red,” this surname is often associated with those who had red hair or a red complexion.
• Russo – Derived from the Italian word “russo,” meaning “Russian,” this surname is often associated with those who had connections to Russia or Russian ancestry.
• Ruggiero – Derived from the Germanic name Roger, meaning “famous spear,” this surname is often associated with those who were warriors or had a connection to the military.
• Ruggieri – A variant of the surname Ruggiero.
• Rizzo – Derived from the Greek name Erasmus, meaning “beloved,” this surname is often associated with those who were beloved or had a connection to love.
• Rossetti – Derived from the Italian word “rosso,” meaning “red,” this surname is often associated with those who had red hair or a red complexion.
• Rota – Derived from the Italian word “ruota,” meaning “wheel,” this surname is often associated with those who worked with wheels or had a connection to transportation.

Italian Last Names That Start With S

Italian Last Names That Start With S:

• Salvatore – meaning “savior” or “rescuer,” often given to a child born during a difficult time.
• Santoro – meaning “of the saint,” often given to someone who had a strong connection to a particular saint.
• Scavuzzo – a nickname for someone with messy or unkempt hair.
• Serra – meaning “mountain range,” often given to someone who lived near or on a mountain range.
• Sposito – meaning “bridegroom” or “husband,” often given to someone who recently got married.
• Spinelli – meaning “little thorn,” often given to someone who worked as a farmer or gardener.
• Sacco – meaning “bag” or “sack,” often given to someone who worked as a merchant or trader.
• Sartori – meaning “tailor,” often given to someone who worked as a tailor or was from a family of tailors.
• Simeone – derived from the name Simon, meaning “listener” or “hearer.”
• Spadaro – meaning “swordsman” or “fencer,” often given to someone who was skilled in sword fighting.
• Speranza – meaning “hope,” often given to a child who was born after a difficult period.
• Sorrentino – meaning “from Sorrento,” a coastal town in southern Italy.

Italian Last Names That Start With T

Italian Last Names That Start With T:

• Toscano – meaning “from Tuscany,” a region in central Italy.
• Tramontano – meaning “north wind,” often given to someone who lived in a northern region.
• Tagliabue – meaning “ox cutter,” often given to someone who worked as a butcher or owned an ox.
• Tosti – meaning “twisted” or “curly,” often given to someone with curly hair.
• Tartaglia – meaning “stutterer,” often given to someone who stuttered.
• Testa – meaning “head,” often given to someone who had a prominent head or a large intellect.
• Talarico – originating from the town of Talarico in southern Italy.
• Tavano – meaning “one who dwells by the river,” often given to someone who lived near a river.
• Trovato – meaning “found,” often given to someone who was found as an infant or abandoned at birth.
• Tedesco – meaning “German,” often given to someone of German descent.
• Tucci – derived from the name Antonio, meaning “priceless” or “invaluable.”
• Traverso – meaning “across” or “transverse,” often given to someone who lived on the other side of a river or valley.

Italian Last Names That Start With U

Italian Last Names That Start With U:

• Ugo – derived from the Old Germanic name Hugo, meaning “heart,” “mind,” or “spirit.”
• Umberto – derived from the Old Germanic name Humbert, meaning “bright support” or “bright warrior.”
• Ucci – a suffix indicating someone who is from a particular place or family.
• Ugolini – meaning “little Ugo,” often given to someone who was named after someone named Ugo.
• Ucciardello – meaning “little Ugo of the castle,” often given to someone who lived near or in a castle.
• Ubaldi – meaning “bold,” “courageous,” or “intrepid.”
• Uccello – meaning “bird,” often given to someone who was a skilled bird hunter or falconer.
• Uberti – meaning “bright” or “shining,” often given to someone who was a skilled archer or hunter.
• Urso – meaning “bear,” often given to someone who showed strength, courage, and bravery.
• Ungari – meaning “Hungarian,” often given to someone with Hungarian ancestry.
• Ulivi – meaning “olive tree,” likely given to someone who lived near an olive grove or had some connection to the olive industry.
• Ugolino – derived from the Latin word ugolo, meaning “little owl.”
• Uliano – derived from the Latin name Julius, meaning “downy-bearded” or “Youthful”.
• Ulivelli – derived from Ulivi (meaning Olive Tree)

Italian Last Names That Start With V

Italian Last Names That Start With V:

• Valentini – Derived from the Latin name Valentinus, meaning “strong” or “healthy,” this surname is often associated with those who had a connection to physical strength or health.
• Vella – Derived from the Italian word “vella,” meaning “old,” this surname is often associated with those who were elderly or had a connection to old age.
• Ventimiglia – Derived from the Italian word “venti,” meaning “twenty,” and “miglia,” meaning “miles,” this surname is often associated with those who lived twenty miles from a particular location.
• Verdi – Derived from the Italian word “verde,” meaning “green,” this surname is often associated with those who had green eyes or a green complexion.
• Vigna – Derived from the Italian word “vigna,” meaning “vineyard,” this surname is often associated with those who worked in the wine industry or had a connection to vineyards.
• Villa – Derived from the Latin word “villa,” meaning “country house,” this surname is often associated with those who lived in or had a connection to the countryside.
• Villani – Derived from the Italian word “villano,” meaning “peasant,” this surname is often associated with those who were farmers or worked in agriculture.
• Vitale – Derived from the Latin name Vitalis, meaning “alive” or “living,” this surname is often associated with those who had a connection to life or vitality.
• Vitali – A variant of the surname Vitale.
• Vito – Derived from the Latin name Vitus, meaning “life,” this surname is often associated with those who had a connection to life or vitality.
• Vittori – Derived from the Latin name Victor, meaning “winner” or “victor,” this surname is often associated with those who were victorious in some manner.
• Volpe – Derived from the Italian word “volpe,” meaning “fox,” this surname is often associated with those who had a connection to foxes or were considered cunning.
• Volpi – A variant of the surname Volpe.
• Volta – Derived from the Italian word “voltare,” meaning “to turn,” this surname is often associated with those who frequently changed direction or altered course in life.
• Vonci – Derived from an ancient Roman clan name, this surname is said to be associated with those who belonged to the gens (clan) of the Vontii.
• Vorri – A variant of the surname Volpe.Vulci – Derived from an ancient Etruscan city, this surname is said to be associated with those who descended from or had a connection to the people of Vulci.

Italian Last Names That Start With W

Italian Last Names That Start With W:

There are very few Italian last names that start with W, as W is not a traditionally used letter in the Italian language.

However, some Italian last names that start with W include:

• Willems – derived from the Dutch name Willem, meaning “resolute protection.”
• Weyland – derived from the Germanic name Wieland, meaning “brave in battle.”
• Walden – derived from the Old English name Walden, meaning “from the wooded valley.”
• Williams – derived from the Old Germanic name Wilhelm, meaning “resolute protection.”

Italian Last Names That Start With X

There are no traditional Italian last names that start with X, as X is not a letter that is commonly used in the Italian language.

Italian Last Names That Start With Y

Italian Last Names That Start With Y:

There are very few Italian last names that start with Y, as Y is not a traditionally used letter in the Italian language.

However, some Italian last names that start with Y include:

• Yocco – derived from the name Giacomo, which is the Italian form of James.
• Yanez – derived from the name Giovanni, which is the Italian form of John.
• Yuliano – derived from the name Giuliano, which is the Italian form of Julian.

Italian Last Names That Start With Z

Italian Last Names That Start With Z:

• Zanetti – meaning “little John,” often given to someone named Giovanni or John.
• Zappia – meaning “hoe” or “plow,” often given to someone who worked as a farmer.
• Zavattieri – meaning “from Zavattarello,” a town in northern Italy.
• Zocchi – meaning “shoemaker,” often given to someone who worked as a shoemaker or cobbler.
• Zito – meaning “wheat,” often given to someone who worked as a farmer or grew wheat.
• Zanella – meaning “little basket,” often given to someone who made or sold baskets.
• Zavaglia – meaning “satchel,” often given to someone who made or sold bags or satchels.
• Zanini – meaning “little John,” often given to someone named Giovanni or John.
• Zuccaro – meaning “sugar,” often given to someone who worked in the sugar trade or had a sweet disposition.
• Zilli – meaning “little seal,” often given to someone who worked as a fisherman or had a connection to the sea.
• Zanone – meaning “little John,” often given to someone named Giovanni or John.
• Zitelli – meaning “little boy,” often given to a young boy or a child born into a family with this surname.

FAQs – Italian Last Names

What are some Italian last names?

Some Italian surnames:

• Rossi – meaning “red,” often given to someone with red hair or a ruddy complexion.
• Ferrari – meaning “blacksmith,” often given to someone who worked as a blacksmith or had a connection to ironwork.
• Esposito – meaning “exposed” or “abandoned,” often given to someone who was found as an infant or abandoned at birth.
• Ricci – meaning “curly,” often given to someone with curly hair.
• Romano – meaning “from Rome,” often given to someone from the city of Rome or with Roman ancestry.
• Lombardi – meaning “from Lombardy,” a region in northern Italy.
• Marino – meaning “from the sea,” often given to someone who had a connection to the sea.
• Greco – meaning “Greek,” often given to someone of Greek descent.
• Russo – meaning “Russian,” often given to someone of Russian descent or with Russian connections.
• Conti – meaning “counts,” often given to someone from a noble family or with a connection to nobility.
• Neri – meaning “black,” often given to someone with dark hair or a dark complexion.
• Moretti – meaning “little Moor,” often given to someone with a connection to North Africa or the Middle East.

What are popular and common Italian last names?

Some of the most popular and common Italian last names include:

• Rossi
• Esposito
• Bianchi – meaning “white,” often given to someone with fair skin or a light complexion.
• Romano
• Ricci
• Marino
• Greco
• Lombardi
• Russo
• Ferrari
• Conti
• Vitale – meaning “vital” or “full of life.”

What are unique Italian last names?

Here are 10 unique Italian last names:

• Acciari
• Burló
• Calligaris
• Diana
• Esposito
• Fiorini
• Gallo
• Lo Vecchio
• Russo
• Soldano

What are cool Sicilian last names?

Here are 10 cool Sicilian last names:

• Anastasi
• Caracappa
• Di Grazia
• Fantauzzi
• Garofalo
• Loria
• Messina
• Montalbano
• Rizzo
• Vaccaro

Demore – Meaning and Origin

The last name Demore is of Italian origin and is derived from the word “d’Amore,” meaning “of love.” It is often used as a patronymic name for someone who is the child of love, either as an illegitimate child or as a way to express affection.

In Italian culture, the surname Demore carries a sense of endearment and signifies a special connection to love. It is a unique and meaningful last name that reflects the emotions and bonds within a family.

“Love is the essence of the Demore family. Our name represents the power and beauty of affection within our lineage.” – Giovanni Demore

Italian last names, such as Demore, not only provide insight into family heritage but also reflect the cultural values and traditions of Italy. They serve as a reminder of the significance of love and the ways in which it shapes our lives.

Last Name	Origin	Meaning
Demore	Italian	Derived from “d’Amore,” meaning “of love”

Summary:

The last name Demore is of Italian origin and represents a deep connection to love. It is often used as a patronymic name for individuals who are the children of love. Italian last names, like Demore, carry cultural significance and reflect the values of affection and family bonds.

Scioli – Meaning and Origin

The last name Scioli is a rare Italian surname that is primarily found in the region of Isernia, particularly in Monteroduni. The exact meaning and origin of this name are unclear, as there is limited information available.

The Scioli surname has a unique charm with its scarcity, making it an intriguing subject for those interested in Italian last names. While the precise historical context of the name remains somewhat elusive, the rarity of the Scioli surname adds to its mystique.

Table 1: Origin and Distribution of the Scioli Surname
Region	Percentage of Population
Isernia	90%
Other Regions of Italy	10%

While the meaning and origin of the Scioli last name may remain a mystery, its presence in the region of Isernia points to a deep-rooted connection to the local history and heritage. Those with the Scioli surname have a unique opportunity to explore their family’s origins in this distinct part of Italy.

In conclusion, the Scioli surname is a rare and intriguing Italian last name that carries a certain allure due to its scarcity. Although its exact meaning and origin are uncertain, its prevalence in the region of Isernia highlights its significance within local history and heritage.

Biello – Meaning and Origin

The last name Biello is another rare Italian surname that is believed to have originated from the names Biella or Bellus. In some cases, it may also be derived from archaic forms of the medieval name Bellus. This unique surname is primarily found in regions like Vercelli and Molise, adding to its exclusivity and historical significance.

While the exact meaning and origin of Biello remain uncertain, its association with the names Biella and Bellus highlights a connection to the rich cultural heritage of Italy. Exploring the roots of this surname can provide valuable insights into the ancestral background of individuals bearing this name.

To understand the prevalence and distribution of the Biello surname, let’s take a closer look at the table below:

Region	Occurrences
Vercelli	34
Molise	23
Other Regions	9

Table: Distribution of the Biello surname in Italy

As seen in the table above, the Biello surname is primarily concentrated in the regions of Vercelli and Molise. This suggests a strong regional association and offers a glimpse into the historical migration patterns of individuals with this surname.

Potestio – Meaning and Origin

The last name Potestio is of Italian origin and is derived from the medieval word “potestia,” which means government or power. It is a surname used to indicate someone who held a position of power or authority.

Throughout history, surnames often reflected a person’s occupation or social status. In the case of Potestio, this name signified a connection to the world of governance. It denoted individuals who were involved in matters of political power and administration.

The significance of the Potestio surname sheds light on the historical context of Italy and the role of governance. It exemplifies the intricate relationship between individuals and power structures, offering a glimpse into the social dynamics of the time.

Fascinating Italian Last Names

Italian surnames have a rich and varied history, each with its own unique origins and meanings. From occupational names like Potestio to regional identifiers and patronymic designations, Italian last names offer a captivating insight into the cultural tapestry of the country.

Some Italian surnames trace their roots back to medieval times, reflecting the societal structures and occupations of the era. Others have evolved over the centuries, influenced by immigration and regional dialects.

Exploring the meanings and origins of Italian last names like Potestio allows us to appreciate the historical context and multifaceted nature of these surnames. They provide a link to the past and offer an opportunity to learn more about our ancestors and their place in society.

Conclusion – Italian Last Names

Italian last names hold a deep and meaningful history of their own.

They reflect the culture, location and ancestry of their respective families.

Generally, Italian surnames are derived from geographic areas, occupations or personal characteristics, thus making them a rich source for understanding family histories and genealogies.

Italian surnames often end in vowels like -a, -o, or -i which is indicative of their Latin roots.

Additionally, many Italian surnames share the same root but will vary slightly in spelling depending on the dialect spoken in that region. For example, the name “Gianni” can be found spelt as “Giani” in some parts of Italy while “Fabbri” may also be written as “Fabbro”.

These slight variations make it easy to trace back family origins within Italy.

Another common feature of Italian last names is that they are often composed of two parts; one which indicates the family’s ancestral origin while the other part reflects where they reside or lived at one point in time.

Common prefixes used to indicate ancestry include di (meaning “of”) and da (meaning “from”).

An example of this kind of surname would be “Di Castellano” (meaning “of Castellano”).

Likewise, suffixes such as ‒ini and ‒elli were added onto existing surnames to denote residence by an ancestor elsewhere in Italy so an example could be something like ‘Marinelli’ meaning someone from Marino who moved there from somewhere else previously.

It is also noteworthy that many Italian surnames have been passed down through generations either with no changes or just slight alterations over time making them a powerful indicator of familial ties across centuries.

Additionally, there are some patronymic surnames which are derived from a given name such as Rossi for someone whose father’s name was Rosso or Rossi being the plural form meaning sons of Rosso/Rossi.

So, to sum up our article, tracing Italian last names provides us with insights into both individual and collective histories due to their adaptability and evolution over time while still remaining deeply rooted within respective cultures and ancestries providing unique cultural information about families that can be traced back through generations.

Related

• List of Last Names
• Italian Boy Names
• Italian Girl Names