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Names: Surnames

Surnames (or family names) are hereditary and are often common to all members of a family.

Occupational surnames are derived from an occupation. Examples include Taylor, Smith, and Baker.

Toponymic surnames are derived from a place. Examples include Ayers (a person from Ayers, Scotland) and Bach (German for a person who lives near a stream).

Religious surnames are derived directly or indirectly from religious texts or traditions. Examples include Christian biblical names, Hebrew names from the Torah, and Muslim names from the Quran.

Nickname derived surnames are those based upon appearance, temperament, or personality. An example is the German surname Schwarzkopf (in German, schwarz=black, Kopf= head) meaning a person with dark hair.

Ornamental surnames are those that were adopted or forced upon individuals (and families) under political pressure.

Patronymic surnames are derived from the given name of a male ancestor. An example is the English patronymic surname Peterson, meaning son of Peter.

Female patronymic surnames (also known as female possessive suffix surnames) are a female form of a patronymic surname, most typically a patronymic surname with a feminine suffix added. For example, in Russian, the wife of Mikhail Gorbachev is Raisa Gorbachova, -ev is replaced with ova.

Matronymic surnames are derived from the given name of a female ancestor. An example is the English matronymic surname Tiffany.

Popular Surnames (Family) in

Rank	Name	Meaning	Distribution
3	Russo	Italian surname based on the male Italian given name Russo. It derived as a variant of Rosso, a moniker for a man with red hair, originating in the Italian adjective rosso for "red."	126,766
101	Fusco	Italian surname based on the male Italian and Spanish given name Fusco. It derived from the male Roman given name Fuscus which originated in the Latin adjective fuscus meaning "dark" and "black."	25,373
100	Ruggiero	Italian surname based on the male Italian given name Roggiero, the Italian form of Roger. The name means "famous spear" and is based on the Germanic components hrod (fame) and ger (spear).	25,385
99	Bellini	Italian surname based on the patronymic or plural form of the male Italian given name Bellino, meaning "descendant of Bellino." The name derived from the diminutive of the male given name Bello, a short form of Jacobello or other names ending in -bello, meaning "beautiful."	26,000
98	Montanari	Italian surname based on the patronymic or plural form of the male Italian given name Montanaro. The name developed from a toponym referring to places called Montanara or Montanaro and derived from the Latin noun montanarius for "mountaineer."	26,012
97	Battaglia	Italian surname based on a toponym or moniker. It derived from the Italian noun battaglia meaning "battle" or "fight" and could have referred to the site of a famous battle or to a nickname for an argumentative or combative person.	26,191
96	Poli	Italian surname based on the patronymic or plural form of the male Italian given name Polo, a variant of Paolo, meaning "descendant of Polo." The name derived from the Roman surname Paulus which meant "little" and "humble." The English names Paul and Paulson are relatives.	26,213
95	Pozzi	Italian surname based on a toponym referring to any of several places named Pozzi or to any location known for its spring or well. It derived from the Italian noun pozzo, meaning "water well."	26,280
94	Bruni	Italian surname based on the patronymic or plural form of the male Italian given name Bruno, meaning "descendant of Bruno." The name could have derived from the Middle High German word brūn meaning "brown" but also "armor" or "protection."	26,314
93	D'Amico	Italian patronymic surname based on the male Italian given name Amico, meaning "descendant of Amico." It derived from the Latin noun amicus meaning "friend."	26,482
92	Valente	Italian surname based on the Italian given name Valente. It derived from the male Italian, Galician, and Portuguese moniker for a brave person, originating in the adjective valente for "brave" and "valiant."	26,784
2	Rossi	Italian patronymic surname based on the surname Rosso, meaning "descendant of Rosso." It probably derived from a moniker for a man with red hair, originating in the Italian adjective rosso for "red."	267,910
91	Pellegrino	Italian surname based on the male Italian given name Pellegrino. It derived from the Italian noun pellegrino meaning "pilgrim" as a moniker for someone who had completed a pilgrimage to a holy site or the Holy Land.	27,591
85	Brambilla	Italian surname based on a toponym referring to the town of Brembilla in Bergamo, Italy.	27,613
88	Piras	Meaning and origin of this name are currently unknown.	27,725
86	Sorrentino	Italian surname based on a toponym referring to the town of Sorrento near Naples in Italy.	27,803
89	Palmieri	Italian surname based on the patronymic or plural form of the male Italian given name Palmiero. The name derived from the Italian noun palmiere for "palmer" or "pilgrim," originating in the Latin noun palma for "palm tree"; pilgrims would often return from Palestine with palm fronds as proof of their voyage. The surname Palmieri corresponds to the English surname Palmer.	27,893
87	Bernardi	Italian surname based on the patronymic or plural form of the male Italian given name Bernardo. The name derived from the Germanic compound Bernhard which combined the elements bern (bear) and hard (brave).	28,016
90	Castelli	Italian surname based on the patronymic or plural form of the Italian name Castello. The name derived from the Italian noun castello for "castle" or "fortress" and could have developed as a toponym referring to a location known for its castle or to any town named with this word. It is also possible that the name Castelli is based on an occupational surname for people who lived at or near a fortified place or served or worked at a castle.	28,083
84	Romeo	Italian surname based on the male Italian given name Romeo. It derived from the Latin given name Romaeus and referred to someone who went on a pilgrimage to Rome.	28,240
83	Carbone	Italian surname probably based on an occupational surname for a coal miner, coal merchant, or charcoal burner or merchant. The name derived from the Italian noun carbone for "charcoal" or "coal." It is also possible that the name is based on either a toponym referring to an area near an outcrop of coal or a place where charcoal was produced; or on a moniker for someone with exceptionally dark skin or hair.	28,408
82	Orlando	Italian surname based on the male Italian given name Orlando, the Italian form of Roland. The male English, French, and German given name Roland originally meant "famous land" and developed from the Germanic components hrod (fame) and land (land).	28,520
81	Barone	Italian surname based on either the male Germanic given name Baro or on a title or occupational surname referring to a baron (barone). Rather than referring to the baron himself, the name could have been used to describe a person conducting himself like a baron or to someone living near or at the baron's land; to someone working for the baron or in the baron's service; or to a person belonging to the baron through their status in the feudal fief or serfdom systems. It is also possible that the name Barone originated in the component bara- and originally denoted a person who was not a serf or slave, i.e. a free man. The English surname Freeman would be an equivalent.	28,554
80	Basile	Italian surname based on the male Italian given name Basile. It derived from the male Greek given name Basilis, a shortened version of Basileios. The name developed from the Greek noun basileus and meant "king," making it the equivalent of the English surname King.	28,889
79	Caputo	Italian surname based on a moniker for a stubborn man. It derived from the Italian adjective caputo for "stubborn" or "large headed."	29,416
78	Benedetti	Italian surname based on the patronymic or plural form of the male Italian given name Benedetto. It derived from the Latin Benedictus and meant "blessed."	29,483
77	Cattaneo	Meaning and origin of this name are currently unknown.	29,528
76	Giuliani	Italian surname based on the patronymic or plural form of the male Italian given name Giuliano. It derived from the Roman given name Iulianus, originating in the name Julius and ultimately the Greek Ioulous which meant "downy-bearded."	29,550
75	Martino	Italian surname based on the male Italian given name Martino. It derived from the Roman name Martinus which originated in the name of the Roman god of war, Mars. The English names Mark and Martin are relatives.	29,651
74	Rossetti	Italian surname based on the patronymic or plural form of the male Italian given name Rossetto. The name derived from a diminutive of the male Italian given name Rosso. It developed from the ancient Roman name Russus which originated in the Latin adjective russus meaning "red"; it could have originally described someone with red hair.	29,696
73	Neri	Italian surname based on a short form of the male Italian given name Raniero. It derived from the male Germanic given name Raganhar which combined the components ragin for "advice" and hari for "army."	29,763
72	Rizzi	Italian surname based on a variant of Ricci or the patronymic form of Rizzo, a variant of Riccio. The names derived from a moniker for a person with curly hair, originating in the Italian adjective riccio for "curly."	29,830
71	Sanna	Italian surname based on a moniker for a person with prominent front teeth. It derived from the Italian noun sanna meaning "protruding tooth."	30,871
70	Dalla	Surname prefix based on the combination of the Italian preposition da and the article la meaning "from the" or "of the." It is usually followed by a toponym or the plural form of a surname.	30,950
68	Valentini	Italian surname based on the patronymic or plural form of the male Italian given name Valentino. It derived from the male Latin given name Valentinus which originated in the Latin given name Valens meaning "healthy" and "strong."	31,062
64	Silvestri	Italian surname based on the patronymic or plural form of the male Italian given name Silvestro. The name developed from the Latin given name Silvester, a derivative of silva, meaning "wood." The name therefore served as a toponym meaning "of the forest."	31,252
69	Mazza	Italian surname based on an occupational surname or a moniker. It derived from the Italian noun mazza for "club," "mace," or "sledge hammer." As a nickname, it could have referred to a person known to be angry and destructive.	31,308
65	Farina	Italian surname based on an occupational surname or a moniker. It derived from the Italian noun farina meaning "wheat flour" and therefore could have described a person who owns or works in a grain mill, a miller. It is related to the English surname Miller. The surname Farina could have also developed from a moniker for someone with a pale complexion.	31,342
66	Riva	Italian surname based on a toponym referring to a place by a river bank or wharf. The name derived from the Latin ripa meaning "river bank."	31,711
63	Testa	Italian surname based on a moniker for a wise and learned person. It derived from the Latin noun testa meaning "head."	31,846
67	de Santis	Italian patronymic surname based on the plural form of the male Italian given name Santo, meaning "member of the Santi family." It derived from the male Latin name Santo which originated in the Latin noun sanctus meaning "saint."	31,980
62	Ferraro	Italian surname based on the occupational surname for a person who forges objects of iron, a blacksmith or farrier. It derived from the Latin word ferraria for a craftsman; its English equivalent is the surname Smith.	32,361
61	Grasso	Italian surname based on the male Italian given name Grasso. It derived from a moniker for a stout man, originating in the Italian adjective grasso for "fat."	32,417
60	de Angelis	Italian patronymic surname based on the plural form of the male Italian given name Angelo, meaning "member of the Angeli family." It derived from the male Latin name Angelus which originated in the Greek noun angelos meaning "messenger." The name could have also developed from an affectionate moniker meaning "from the angels."	32,663
59	Palumbo	Surname based on a variant of the male medieval given name Palombo. It derived from the Latin noun palumbus meaning "dove." The dove was a symbol of the Holy Spirit, but the name could have also developed from a moniker for a gentle, mild-mannered person. It is also possible that it referred to an occupational name for a keeper of doves.	32,685
58	Fabbri	Italian surname based on the patronymic or plural form of the Italian name Fabbro, meaning "descendant of Fabbro." It derived from the occupational surname Fabbro for an ironworker, originating in the Italian noun fabbro, meaning "smith." It corresponds to the English surname Smith.	32,876
57	Pellegrini	Italian patronymic surname based on the male Italian given name Pellegrino, meaning "descendant of Pellegrino." It derived from the Italian noun pellegrino meaning "pilgrim" as a moniker for someone who had completed a pilgrimage to a holy site or the Holy Land.	33,402
56	Null	Surname probably based on a Jewish (Ashkenazic) occupational surname for a maker, seller, or user of awls. It derived from the Yiddish word nol for "awl." The name could also be based on a short form of a male Germanic given name containing the components -n and -wald for "rule" or a German moniker for a naive person.	33,671
55	Grassi	Italian surname based on the patronymic or plural form of the male Italian given name Grasso. It derived from a moniker for a stout man, originating in the Italian adjective grasso for "fat."	34,141
54	Morelli	Italian surname based on the patronymic or plural form of the male Italian given name Morello. It could have derived from a diminutive of the medieval given name Moro which possibly developed from a toponym referring to a moor or fen; or from a moniker for someone of dark complexion; or from an old male French given name based on the Roman name Maurus which meant "dark skinned." The name Morello could have also derived from a diminutive of the male given name Amore which means "love."	34,253
53	Marchetti	Italian surname based on the patronymic or plural form of the male Italian given name Marchetto, a diminutive of the male given name Marco. It derived from the male Latin given name Marcus which originated in the name of the Roman god of war, Mars; the English names Martin and Mark are relatives.	34,287
52	Lombardo	Italian patronymic surname based on the male Italian given name Lombardo. It derived from the Italian, Spanish, and Portuguese toponym referring to the Lombardy region in northern Italy.	34,298
51	Fiore	Italian surname based on the male and female given name Fiore. It could have derived as an affectionate moniker from the Latin given name Flos which originated in the Latin noun flos for "flower."	34,477
50	Amato	Italian surname based on the male Italian given name Amato. It derived from the Latin word amatus, meaning "beloved."	34,947
49	Parisi	Italian patronymic surname based on the male Italian given name Parise, meaning "descendant of Parise." The name derived from the male Greek given names Paris or Paride; the exact meanings of the names are currently unknown.	35,003
48	Ferri	Italian patronymic surname based on the male Italian given name Ferro, meaning "descendant of Ferro." The name derived from the occupational surname for an ironworker; it originated in the Latin noun ferrum.	35,070
47	Coppola	Italian surname based on an occupational surname or moniker. It derived from the noun coppola which referred to a special kind of beret typical for the province of Napoli (Naples). The name therefore could have referred to a maker or seller of these hats or to someone who usually wore them.	35,429
46	D'Angelo	Italian patronymic surname based on the male Italian given name Angelo, meaning "descendant of Angelo." It derived from the male Latin name Angelus which originated in the Greek noun angelos meaning "messenger." The name corresponds to the male and female English given name Angel.	35,518
45	Messina	Italian surname based on a toponym referring to the Sicilian city of Messina. The exact meaning of this name is currently unknown.	35,630
44	Gatti	Italian surname based on a moniker for an active, agile person. It derived from the Italian plural form of gato, meaning "cats." The name corresponds to the English surname Catt.	35,821
43	Martinelli	Italian surname based on a diminutive of the male Italian given name Martino. It derived from the Roman name Martinus which originated in the name of the Roman god of war, Mars. The English names Marcus and Mark are relatives.	36,045
42	Bianco	Italian surname probably based on a moniker for a white haired person or to someone with a very light complexion. The name derived from the Italian adjective bianco (white). It could have also developed from a moniker for someone usually wearing white in tournaments, jousting, or other competitions; or as a reference to a political faction.	36,336
41	Monti	Italian surname based on a variant or the plural form of the name Monte, an Italian, Spanish, and Portuguese toponym referring to a location on or near a mountain or to any location named with Monte or Monti. The name derived from the Italian noun monte for "mountain."	37,052
40	Vitale	Italian surname based on the male Roman name Vitalis. The name derived from the Latin vitalis meaning "full of life" and "healthy." The name may have developed as a reference to the early belief in eternal life.	37,310
39	Sala	Catalan, French, Italian, and Portuguese surname based on a toponym or an occupational surname. It derived from the noun sala meaning "hall" and could have referred to any place named with that word or to any location known for its hall. As an occupational surname, it could have referred to an innkeeper or to someone employed at a hall or manor.	37,702
38	Serra	Catalan, Italian, Portuguese, and Spanish surname based on a toponym referring to any of various places with that name or any location at or near a mountain ridge or mountain range. It derived from the Italian noun serra for "ridge."	37,814
36	Gentile	Italian surname based on the male Italian given name Gentile. It derived from the Late Latin name Gentilis which originated in the Latin word gens with several meanings. Some include "charming," "courteous," "graceful," and "pagan."	38,822
35	Marini	Italian surname based on the patronymic or plural form of the male Italian and Spanish given name Marino. It derived as a toponym or occupational surname from the Latin name Marinus which means "of the sea." The name therefore could have referred to any place near the ocean or to any location by that name. It could have also developed from an occupational surname for a sailor.	39,493
34	Conte	Italian surname based on the name Conte. It derived from the title conte meaning "count." It could have been used to refer to a travel companion or someone in the count's service. As a moniker, the name could have been used for someone acting in pompous, self-important, or cocky ways.	39,661
33	Villa	Italian and Spanish surname based on a toponym referring to any of the places called Villa. It derived from the Latin noun villa for "country house" or "estate."	40,479
37	Martini	Italian patronymic surname based on the male Italian given name Martino. It derived from the Roman name Martinus which originated in the name of the Roman god of war, Mars. The English names Marcus, Mark, and Martin are relatives; the patronymic surname corresponds to the English surname Martinson.	41,498
31	Longo	Italian surname based on a moniker for a tall person. It derived from the Italian adjective lungo for "tall" or "lanky." The English surname Long is an equivalent.	41,688
30	Galli	Italian patronymic surname based on the male Italian given name Gallo, meaning "descendant of Gallo." It derived from the male medieval given name Gallo which probably developed from the Roman name Gallus. In addition, the name could have derived from a moniker for a person with a powerful voice or cocky conduct, originating in the noun gallo for "rooster."	41,901
29	Rinaldi	Italian surname based on the patronymic or plural form of the male Italian given name Rinaldo. It derived from the male Germanic name Raginald, composed of the elements ragin (advice) and wald (rule). The English surname Reynolds is a relative.	42,674
28	Caruso	Italian surname based on a moniker. It derived from the Italian adjective caruso meaning "smooth" and "bald." The name was used for men who wore their hair much shorter than what was considered in style. In Sicily, the name was an occupational surname for a worker in the sulfur pits; these workers were required to wear their hair short.	43,099
27	Santoro	Italian surname based on the male Italian given name Santoro. The name derived from the Italian santoro originating in the Latin sanctorum for "All Saints' Day" and was given to a person born or baptized on All Saints' Day, November 1st.	43,133
26	Leone	Italian surname based on the male Italian given name Leóne. It derived from the Italian noun leone (lion) as a moniker for a fierce or brave warrior.	43,603
32	Barbieri	Italian surname based on an occupational surname for a barber. It derived from the Italian noun barbiere meaning "barber-surgeon."	43,704
25	Fontana	Italian, Spanish, and Catalan surname based on a toponym referring to any of several places named with this word or to any location near a spring. It derived from the Latin noun fontana of the same meaning.	44,387
24	Mariani	Italian surname probably based on the patronymic or plural form of the name Mariano. It derived from the male Italian, Spanish, and Portuguese given name Mariano originating in the male Roman name Marius, ultimately originating in the name Mars for the Roman god of war. The name could also be based on a toponym referring to a place called Mariano in Italy.	44,689
23	Ferrara	Italian surname based on a toponym referring to the town Ferrara or any location known for its forge or iron works. It derived from the Latin word ferraria for "iron works."	45,394
22	Moretti	Italian patronymic surname based on the male Italian given name Moretto, meaning "descendant of Moretto." It derived from a diminutive of the medieval given name Moro. The name could have developed from a toponym referring to a moor or fen or from a moniker for someone of dark complexion or from an old male French given name based on the Roman name Maurus which meant "dark skinned."	45,831
21	Lombardi	Italian patronymic surname based on the male Italian given name Lombardo, meaning "descendant of Lombardo." It derived from the Italian, Spanish, and Portuguese toponym referring to the Lombardy region in northern Italy.	48,015
20	de Luca	Italian patronymic surname based on the male Italian given name Luca, meaning "descendant of Luca." It derived from the Greek name Loukas which meant "from Lucania." The English names Lucas and Luke can be considered equivalents.	49,123
17	Costa	Italian surname based on a toponym referring to any of several places named Costa or to any location on a slope, at a river bank, or by the sea. It ultimately derived from the Latin noun costa< for "side" or "flank."	49,347
19	Rizzo	Italian surname based on a variant of the name Riccio, a name developed from a moniker for a person with curly hair. It derived from the Italian adjective riccio for "curly."	52,706
18	Mancini	Italian surname based on the patronymic or plural form of the name Mancino. It derived from a moniker for a left-handed person, originating in the adjective mancino of that meaning.	52,953
16	Conti	Italian surname based on the patronymic or plural form of the name Conte. It derived from the title conte meaning "count." It could have been used to refer to a travel companion or someone in the count's service. As a moniker, the name could have been used for someone acting in pompous, self-important, or cocky ways.	53,501
14	Bruno	Italian surname based on the male given name Bruno, probably developed from a moniker referring to someone with brown hair or complexion. It derived from the Germanic component brun meaning "brown." The surname could also be based on the Germanic noun brun meaning "protection."	53,860
13	Gallo	Italian and Spanish surname with a variety of possible meanings. The name could be based on a toponym referring to someone coming from France or Gaul (Gallos) or to any place named with this word in Italy. The name could also be based on the male medieval given name Gallo which probably developed from the Roman name Gallus. In addition, the name could have derived from a moniker for a person with a powerful voice or cocky conduct, originating in the noun gallo for "rooster."	54,588
15	Greco	Italian surname based on a toponym or moniker. It derived from the Italian adjective greco for "Greek" and therefore could have referred to someone coming from Greece. The name could have also been used as a nickname for a smart or crafty person as these qualities were considered typical for the Greeks.	55,842
12	Giordano	Italian surname based on the male Italian given name Giordano, the Italian equivalent of the male and female English and Macedonian given name Jordan. It derived from the name of the river Jordan flowing from the Anti-Lebanon mountains to the Dead Sea, separating Palestine from the country Jordan.	56,849
11	Franco	Italian, Portuguese, and Spanish surname based on the male Spanish given name Franco which originated in the old Germanic name Franco. The name derived from a toponym related to Franconia, the region settled by the Germanic tribe of the Franks. The name corresponds to the English name Frank.	58,966
10	Marino	Italian surname based on the male Italian given name Marino. It derived as a toponym or occupational surname from the Latin name Marinus which means "of the sea." The name therefore could have referred to any place near the ocean or to any location with that name. It could have also developed from an occupational surname for a sailor.	59,156
9	Ricci	Italian patronymic surname based on the plural form of the name Riccio, a name developed from a moniker for a person with curly hair. It derived from the Italian adjective riccio for "curly."	61,821
8	Colombo	Italian surname based on a moniker, occupational, or ornamental surname. It derived from the male given name Colombo, originating in the Latin name Colombus, meaning "dove." The dove was a symbol of the Holy Spirit, but the name could have also developed from a moniker for a gentle, mild-mannered person. It is also possible that it referred to an occupational name for a keeper of doves.	76,400
7	Romano	Italian and Spanish surname based on the male given name Romano. It derived from the Latin name Romanus which developed as a toponym meaning "Roman."	77,296
6	Bianchi	Italian surname probably based on a moniker; its meaning is the "white ones." The name derived from the Italian adjective bianco (white) and could have referred to a white haired person or to someone with a very light complexion. It is also possible that the color referred to a political faction.	85,918
5	Ferrari	Italian surname based on the patronymic or plural form of the occupational surname for a person who forges objects of iron, a blacksmith or farrier. It derived from the Latin word ferraria for a craftsman; its English equivalent is the surname Smithson.	91,416
4	Esposito	Italian surname of Latin origins, probably based on a toponym referring to a homestead outside a town. It derived from the Latin word expositos meaning "outside." It is also possible that the name was a reference to a foundling, one who was found in the open.	97,407

Italy