123 Italian Surnames and Their Origins

Italian surnames carry the whole country in a single word: the trade a family kept for generations, the shape of the hills they farmed, or a nickname that stuck to a great-grandfather and never let go. Say a few aloud and you can almost hear the region they came from.

This list gathers 123 Italian last names, from the ones you already know to regional gems that rarely leave their home province. For each we cover the meaning, where in Italy it took root, and the story behind how it came to be, whether it grew from an occupation, a physical trait, or a local landmark.

Scroll on to find the surname that fits your family tree, your character, or just your ear.

123 Inspiring Italian Last Names

From the powerful and popular to the wealthy and wondrous, these Italian surnames will impress and inspire you.

1. Accardi: This name comes from the same stem as the Germanic Ekkehard, meaning hardy or brave.
2. Acerbi: This surname carries a rather intense meaning, translating to immature, cruel, or bitter.
3. Acqua: Meaning water, this surname originally belonged to those who worked with or lived near water.
4. Ajello: Also spelled Aiello, this surname derived from the Latin word ager, meaning small field.
5. Amato: Derived from a Late Roman given name meaning beloved, this is also a prominent town in the Calabria region.
6. Barbieri: This is the Italian form of Barber, an occupational surname for a hair cutter.
7. Barese: This locational name means one from Bari, a famous city in southern Italy.
8. Barone: This fancy surname derives directly from the noble title of baron.
9. Basso: Meaning short, this Italian surname originally served as a descriptive nickname.
10. Battaglia: Ready for war, this strong surname literally translates to fight.
11. Bellini: This is one of the sweetest Italian last names, translating to little beautiful one.
12. Benevento: This locational name means from Benevento, a city located in the region of Campania.
13. Bernardi: Similar to Bernard, this strong Italian surname means bear-like or brave.
14. Berti: This name comes from the given name Berto, ultimately derived from a Germanic element meaning bright.
15. Bianchi: Meaning white, Bianchi started as a nickname for fair hair or a pale complexion and is the fifth most common surname in Italy.
16. Bolognese: Meaning from Bologna, this surname works perfectly for anyone tracing their roots to this historic city.
17. Bruni: This is another popular form of the surname Bruno, meaning brown.
18. Bruno: This serves as both a common Italian surname and a given name meaning brown.
19. Cafaro: This unique surname has interesting roots and translates to unbeliever.
20. Calo: Derived from Greek, this cute surname simply means beautiful or good.
21. Campagna: Named after a town in the southern region of Campania, this surname means field or countryside.
22. Caputo: Meaning head, this surname could signify a headstrong or incredibly stubborn individual.
23. Carbone: This fiery surname translates to coal.
24. Carrozza: This Italian surname has unknown original meanings but also refers to a famous fried cheese sandwich in Italian cuisine.
25. Caruso: This cool surname translates to apprentice or young boy.
26. Casella: Derived from casa, meaning house, Casella likely signified the owner of a notable abode.
27. Castelli: Meaning castle, this surname feels exceptionally grand and regal.
28. Cattaneo: Cattaneo comes from the old Italian title cattaneo, meaning captain, rooted in the Latin caput for head. It was carried by a noble Genoese family that gave five doges to the Republic of Genoa.
29. Colombo: Meaning dove, Colombo was widely given to foundlings raised at Milan’s orphanages, whose symbol was a dove. It remains one of the most common surnames in northern Italy.
30. Conti: This Italian surname stems from the noble and historic title of count.
31. Coppola: This name refers to a traditional flat cap style worn principally in Sicily and Calabria.
32. Costa: This Italian surname brings the breezy vibes of the ocean, translating to coast.
33. D’Angelo: This name carries the beautiful meaning of son of Angelo, which translates to son of angels.
34. De Angelis: Similar to D’Angelo, this pretty “D” surname means of the angels.
35. De Luca: Meaning son of Luke, this handsome surname shares strong ties with Lucas or Luciano.
36. De Santis: This heavenly family name translates to of the saints.
37. Donato: This courteous Italian surname means giving or to give.
38. Esposito: Meaning exposed, Esposito was assigned to foundlings left at church orphanages, especially around Naples, where it is still the most common surname. It ranks fourth across all of Italy.
39. Fabbri: Meaning craftsman, Fabbri is a popular occupational surname originally used for a blacksmith.
40. Fabris: Just like Fabbri, this Italian surname was traditionally given to a local craftsman.
41. Falco: This fierce surname translates to falcon.
42. Farina: Meaning flour, Farina was historically an occupational name for a mill worker.
43. Fava: Families with this surname take their name from the popular broad bean variety.
44. Fellone: With meanings like traitor, felon, or villain, this name carries a notoriously rebellious history.
45. Ferrari: Long predating the famous sports car, Ferrari means blacksmith, from the Latin ferrum for iron, and ranks as the third most common surname in Italy.
46. Ferraro: This is another cool Italian last name that means blacksmith.
47. Fiore: This Italian surname doubles as a unisex first name, carrying the sweet meaning of flower.
48. Fontana: Meaning fountain, Fontana traditionally belonged to those living by a local water feature.
49. Fumagalli: This surname features the highly unique and literal meaning of smoked poultry.
50. Furlan: This name was given to a person originating from the region of Friuli.
51. Gallo: Meaning rooster, Gallo likely started as a nickname for a proud or spirited person and ranks among the ten most common surnames in Italy.
52. Gatti: This makes a perfect Italian last name for an animal lover, meaning cat.
53. Giordano: This serves as both an Italian last name and a given name version of Jordan, meaning to descend.
54. Grasso: This name derived from a descriptive nickname for a large, overweight, or stout individual.
55. Greco: Meaning Greek, this Italian surname was traditionally used for a foreigner.
56. Guerra: Meaning war in both Italian and Spanish, this last name feels especially feisty.
57. Leone: This name packs a powerful bite, as the animal-inspired surname means lion.
58. Lombardi: This name belonged to families originating from the northern Italian region of Lombardy.
59. Longo: Similar to the English name Long, this Italian surname started as a nickname for a tall person.
60. Lorusso: Also spelled Lo Russo, this is a popular form of the surname Russo, meaning red.
61. Lucchese: This locational surname was given to someone from Lucca.
62. Mancini: This common last name carries the unique and impressive meaning of left-handed.
63. Marchesi: This noble Italian name means marquis.
64. Marino: Meaning marine, this surname works perfectly for a family with a long line of sailors.
65. Martini: Rooted in Latin, this name traces back to Mars, the legendary Roman god of war.
66. Mazza: This is a popular occupational surname for a local smith or toolmaker.
67. Messina: This locational Italian surname takes its title directly from the city of Messina in Sicily.
68. Milanesi: Meaning from Milan, this locational Italian surname also appears frequently as De Milano.
69. Montanari: Meaning highlander or mountaineer, this surname fits perfectly for a family of high reachers.
70. Moretti: Meaning dark, Moretti was historically used as a descriptive name for someone with brown hair.
71. Neri: Meaning black, this name originated as a nickname for someone with dark hair or a deep complexion.
72. Pagano: This historically significant surname simply means pagan.
73. Palermo: The name of the principal city in Sicily makes for a highly handsome Italian surname.
74. Palumbo: This chirpy-sounding pick among nature-inspired Italian last names means pigeon.
75. Papa: This is an easy surname to remember, carrying the powerful meaning of priest, bishop, or Pope.
76. Pappalardo: This unique last name derived from a historical insult, meaning hypocritical lard-eater.
77. Pasqua: Meaning Easter, this Italian surname is reminiscent of the joyful spring holiday.
78. Pasquale: Just like Pasqua, this Italian surname connects directly to the Easter holiday.
79. Pastore: This occupational entry among Italian surnames translates to shepherd.
80. Pellegrino: This name originally served as a descriptive nickname for a pilgrim or traveler.
81. Pera: Full of sweetness, this nature-inspired Italian surname means pear.
82. Piazza: Meaning market or town square, Piazza remains a popular topographic Italian surname.
83. Piccio: This Italian and Portuguese surname translates directly to fig.
84. Piccirilli: This feathery Italian last name likely translates to magpie.
85. Pinto: This remains a common surname across various languages, meaning painted or lively.
86. Poggi: This cute topographic surname means small hill or knoll.
87. Porcelli: Meaning hog, this name likely derived from a nickname for someone who worked closely with pigs.
88. Puma: This is another fruity surname that literally translates to apple.
89. Quaglia: This bird-inspired surname means quail.
90. Revello: Meaning wild olive tree, this Italian surname feels beautifully earthy and sweet.
91. Ricci: Meaning curly, Ricci began as a nickname for someone with curly hair and ranks among the ten most common surnames in Italy.
92. Rizzo: This serves as a popular variant of Ricci, also meaning curly.
93. Romano: Meaning Roman, this Italian last name evokes images of ancient warriors and powerful empires.
94. Romeo: This romantic surname and given name from Italy means from Rome or Roman.
95. Rossetti: This name traces back to Italian royalty and translates to red one.
96. Rossi: Meaning red, Rossi began as a nickname for someone with red or reddish hair and stands as the single most common surname in all of Italy.
97. Russo: A southern variant of Rossi, Russo also means red and ranks as the second most common surname in Italy, with deep roots in Naples and Sicily.
98. Sabino: This name comes directly from the Sabines, an ancient population of people in central Italy.
99. Sanna: This Sardinian surname carries the unique physical description of fang or protruding tooth.
100. Sarto: This occupational surname ranks highly among Italian last names, meaning tailor.
101. Schiavone: This historically significant surname translates to Slav or Slavic.
102. Scola: This Italian surname holds immense value, meaning school or place of education.
103. Serra: Meaning saw in Italian, this last name would historically denote a skilled carpenter.
104. Siciliano: This charming locational surname refers directly to someone from the island of Sicily.
105. Silvestri: Meaning son of Sylvester, this name comes from a Roman-rooted name meaning woodland.
106. Soprano: This famous family name translates to higher or above.
107. Sorrentino: This charming locational surname indicates a family tracing their roots back to Sorrento.
108. Spada: Meaning sword, Spada serves as a powerful occupational surname for a skilled swordsman.
109. Svizzera: This Italian surname features an awesome spelling and means Swiss or from Switzerland.
110. Tarantino: This famous pop-culture surname translates to one from Taranto, a prominent city in Italy.
111. Torregrossa: Meaning big tower, you certainly cannot miss this exotic and grand surname.
112. Toscano: This widely popular surname was historically given to a person originating from Tuscany.
113. Tosto: Meaning headstrong or tough, Tosto ranks as one of the more powerful Italian last names for boys.
114. Turchi: This rare yet rich surname translates to Turkish or from Turkey.
115. Uccello: Meaning bird, this surname works perfectly for a high flier.
116. Ungaro: Meaning Hungarian, Ungaro was historically used to denote travelers or residents originally from Hungary.
117. Urso: Meaning bear, this animal-inspired surname feels both snuggly and incredibly severe.
118. Valentini: Meaning bold, valiant, or brave, you could definitely say this is a deeply romantic Italian last name.
119. Verona: This locational Italian surname pays homage to the incredibly romantic city of Verona.
120. Vescovi: This religious, occupational surname translates to bishop.
121. Vicario: This spiritual entry among Italian last names means vicar.
122. Villa: Meaning town or dwelling in both Spanish and Italian, this surname carries a wealthy and established feel.
123. Zappa: Meaning hoe, this Italian surname traditionally denotes a hardworking farmer or earth worker.

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