200+ Italian Last Names or Surnames with Meanings

Some of the most popular Italian last names are as follows: 

1. Agosti

Italy’s surname Agosti is derived from the Latin word Augustus which refers to “favored with good omens”. It is often related to August and has a strong historical and noble connotation.

2. Abate

Italian last names A also include Abate which is derived from the term abet, meaning “priest”. It is a surname commonly associated with individuals who held the profession of a priest or had a connection to the clergy.

3. Albano

Italy last name Albano is of geographical origin and refers to “a person from the city of Albano”, located in the region of Lazio in Italy.

4. Armani

Armani is traditionally a surname meaning “child of Armano” or “warrior”. The family name in Italian is also believed to be an ancient Germanic name meaning freeman.

5. Ricci

This Italian last name Ricci is acquired from the ancient Italian word Ricco which is defined as “curly”. In total, there are at least 30 variations of this surname.

6. Maffia

The surname Maffia is obtained from the personal name Matteo, which means “gift of God.” It comes from the Hebrew word of the Apostle Matthew, one of Jesus’ twelve apostles.

7. Bandoni

The Italian last name Bandoni is linked to strength and power, as it originates from the word bandone, which means “sheet of iron.” It symbolizes resilience and determination.

8. Bacci

Bacci is the last name that originated from Italy with the meaning “kiss”. It is imitative from the given name Baccio, which is a shortened form of Giovanni or Jacopo.

9. Rodino

The Italian surname Rodino in Calabria can be derived from a local personal name that originated from the medieval Greek word Rodino, meaning “rosy red” or “auspicious promising”.

10. Ballerini

Ballerini is the Italian last names popular that comes from the word ballerino, which means “dancer” in Italian. It may indicate a professional origin or an ancestor who was a dancer or involved in the world of dance.

11. La Paglia

The Italian surname La Paglia has its roots in Italy. It is believed to have originated from a place called Paglia and has the meaning of “straw.”

12. Bendetti

The Italian surname Bendetti comes from the ancient Roman name Benedictus, which carries the beautiful meaning of “blessed.” This name gained popularity thanks to St. Benedict, renowned as the father of Western monasticism.

13. Nanna

The Italian surname Nanna is a nickname derived from the term nanna, which means “grandmother” in Italian.

14. Roma

Roma is the “habitational name from the city of Rome”.

15. Lombardo

The Italian surname Lombardo has a geographical origin and has the meaning “someone from Lombardy”. It comes from the Italian region of Lombardy, located in the northern part of the country.

16. Bianchi

The meaning of the Italian surname Bianchi is the plural or genitive singular form of the nickname Bianco, meaning “white” in Italian.

17. Roti

Roti has multiple origins and meanings as it is derived from the Italian word rota, meaning “wheel,” and has been a surname given to someone associated with wheels or wheel-making.

18. Leone

The surname Leoni or Leone means “lions” in Italian. It is a surname that may have been given to individuals who had characteristics or qualities similar to those of lions.

19. Puma

The Italian surname Puma, of Italian origin, is associated with the meaning “apple”. It is a variant of the standard Italian pomo.

20. Cesare

Cesare is derived from the given name Caesar, which has an interesting meaning “long hair” or “thick-haired” in Italian. This surname might have originally been used to describe someone with long or thick hair.

21. Florentino

The surname Florentino in Italian is derived from the Latin Florentinus, a derivative of “Florus” meaning “blooming” or “flowering.” It can also be a habitational surname for someone from the city of Florence in Tuscany.

22. Pepe

This Italian surname is the shortened form of Giuseppe, Italian for Joseph. Additionally, Pepe can be a nickname based on the Italian word for pepper, the spicy seasoning.

23. Coppola

Coppola is an Italian-origin surname which is a common surname in southern Italy, particularly in regions like Campania and Calabria. It is derived from the Italian term “cap” or “hat,” specifically referring to a traditional Italian hat called a Coppola.

24. Costa

In Italy, this is a popular variation of another Italian last name, Di Costa. Costa is Italian for rib, which means a “slope” or “coast”. 

25. Donato

The Italian surname Donato is extracted from the given name Donato, which has Latin origins and means “gift” or “present.”

26. Esposito

The Italian surname Esposito derives from the Latin term expositus, which means “exposed” or “abandoned.” In the past, the surname Esposito was often given to children who were abandoned and raised in institutions or orphanages.

27. Gatti

Derived from the Italian word Gatto, meaning “tomcat,” this popular surname is likely bestowed upon individuals who possess feline characteristics.

28. Fontana

Originating from the Latin term Fons, which signifies ‘spring,’ this melodic surname is part of the family of topographical surnames granted to individuals residing close to a spring.

29. Grasso

The Italian surname Grasso comes from the Italian which means “fat” or “adipose.” This surname may have been given to individuals with a robust physique or those who worked in the fat or oil industry.

30. Greco

Greco is a common Italian surname, ranking 10th among the most widespread surnames in Italy, and it means “Greek”. 

31. Lombardi

Lombardi is a popular surname that was initially given to people hailing from Lombardy in northern Italy. The name also sometimes was used to denote immigrants from other parts of northern Italy.

32. Negri

The Italian surname Negri originates from the Italian word Negri, meaning “black.” It was likely given as a nickname to someone with a dark complexion, possibly an immigrant from northern Africa.

33. Colombo

Colombo is an Italian surname meaning literally “dove”. It was given to orphans. 

34. Marino

Marino is an Italian surname and a given name of Latin origin meaning “of the sea”.

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