| 50 |
Amato |
Italian surname based on the male Italian given name Amato. It derived from the Latin word amatus, meaning "beloved." |
34,947 |
| 32 |
Barbieri |
Italian surname based on an occupational surname for a barber. It derived from the Italian noun barbiere meaning "barber-surgeon." |
43,704 |
| 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 |
| 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 |
| 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 |
| 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 |
| 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 |
| 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 |
| 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 |
| 85 |
Brambilla |
Italian surname based on a toponym referring to the town of Brembilla in Bergamo, Italy. |
27,613 |
| 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 |
| 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 |
| 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 |
| 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 |
| 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 |
| 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 |
| 77 |
Cattaneo |
Meaning and origin of this name are currently unknown. |
29,528 |
| 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 |
| 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 |
| 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 |
| 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 |
| 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 |
| 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 |
| 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 |
| 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 |
| 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 |
| 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 |
| 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 |
| 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 |
| 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 |
| 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 |
| 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 |
| 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 |
| 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 |
| 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 |
| 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 |
| 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 |
| 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 |
| 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 |
| 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 |
| 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 |
| 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 |
| 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 |
| 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 |
| 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 |
| 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 |
| 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 |
| 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 |
| 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 |
| 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 |
| 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 |
| 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 |
| 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 |
| 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 |
| 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 |
| 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 |
| 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 |
| 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 |
| 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 |
| 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 |
| 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 |
| 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 |
| 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 |
| 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 |
| 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 |
| 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 |
| 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 |
| 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 |
| 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 |
| 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 |
| 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 |
| 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 |
| 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 |
| 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 |
| 88 |
Piras |
Meaning and origin of this name are currently unknown. |
27,725 |
| 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 |
| 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 |
| 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 |
| 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 |
| 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 |
| 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 |
| 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 |
| 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 |
| 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 |
| 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 |
| 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 |
| 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 |
| 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 |
| 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 |
| 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 |
| 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 |
| 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 |
| 86 |
Sorrentino |
Italian surname based on a toponym referring to the town of Sorrento near Naples in Italy. |
27,803 |
| 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 |
| 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 |
| 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 |
| 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 |
| 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 |
Italy