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Most Common Italian Last Names & Meaning

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The most common Italian last names

All Italian surnames or last names have their origin and the way your Italian surname is spelt can tell you a whole lot about where your family is from.

For instance, Italian surnames that end in -o come from southern Italy, but names ending in -a or -i generally come from the north.

It is interesting to know also that, many Italian last names originated from nicknames. Rossi, which is the most common surname in Italy, means “redhead.” Franco, or Betto are other nicknames.

They could also come from an ancestor’s first name. This is why there are names like d’Alberto or d’Angelo, which sound a little like first names but are typically surnames.

Then there are last names that come from geographical areas or where a family is from like Di Genova or Napolitano. There are some that describe an occupation like Carpenteri, which means carpenter.

If you are interested in knowing the different last names in Italy and their meaning, here is a well-compiled list of the most common Italian surnames.

Most common Italian last names

NumbersItalian last names Meaning
1ArmaniMan of force
2Ferraro or FerrariBlacksmith
3CaponeArrogant
4Di MaggioEldest son
5PacinoPeace
6ArgentoSilver or Grey-haired
7VitaleLife
8Romano or RomaniRoman
9BiancoWhite
10De NiroOf black or Dark hair
11LetoJoyful
12ValentinoHealthy
13LastraFlat slab of rock
14SacconeA maker of sacks and bags
15AllegroBrisk tempo
16AmatoBeloved
17FiorentinoA person from Florence
18AgostiFavoured with good omens
19MilanesiA person from Milan
20RussoRedhead
21BrunoBrown
22AccettaWelcome or well-liked
23BaioHorse
24BaroneBravery or Courage
25EspositoExposed
26ManciniLeft-handed
27GalloRooster
28De LucaSon of Luca
29AbatePriest
30AccardoEdge of a sword
31AloisioFamous warrior
32AcquavivaLiving water
33AccomandoGerman shepherd dog
34AcetoVinegar
35AciernoOf steel
36AltadonnaHigh lady or Tall woman
37AltamuraHigh walls
38AbanoWater
39AbbandonatoForsaken or Abandoned
40ZabatinoSaturday
41ZaraPerson from the city of Zadra
42TarantinoA person from Taranto
43PesciFisherman
44MorelliA person of dark complexion
45GiulianiYouthful
46D’Angelo or D’AngeliMessenger or angel
47BruniThe colour brown
48CaputoLarge-headed
49ManzoA person resembling an ox
50De RossiRed-haired