Exploring the History and Meanings of Italian Surnames

Surnames and their Meanings

Italian Names A to G
Italian Names I to M
Italian Names N to Z
Italian Genealogy

Delving into the research of surnames, also known as last names or family names, is an exciting way to learn more about your family history. When researching Italian surnames, you will quickly find that each family name in Italy was formed for a particular purpose. Italy has always been known for its lively and extraordinary land and people, and Italian names exhibit these same qualities.

Italian surnames can also identify where an individual is from. Some of these surnames simply identify a person with local geography, such as "di Montagna" for "of the mountain." Individuals or families that migrated often took on a surname that described their region of origin, such as "Milani" or "Romano" if they were from Milan or Rome.

Occupations were also commonly used to form surnames. A person could carry the name of the occupation, such as "Zappa" for farmer, but it was also common for Italians to choose a surname that described an animal or object associated with their occupation.

Of all Italian surnames, the most entertaining and unusual names can be found from the family names formed from nicknames. These could virtually describe any detail about an individual, from their hair color to the appearance of their teeth to their height., such as using the name "Basso," which means short. Some of these names even went as far as to describe a person's eating habits!

Whatever your genealogy, if an Italian surname is part of your ancestral past, it will no doubt provide you with many interesting details as to where your family originated from and what they were like.

By Elizabeth Walling