Browse Submitted Surnames

This is a list of submitted surnames in which the usage is Italian; and the description contains the keywords ruler or of or water.
usage
keyword
Submitted names are contributed by users of this website. The accuracy of these name definitions cannot be guaranteed.
Mecca Italian
Derived from a medieval short form of the given name Domenico or Domenica.
Meconi Italian
Possibly derived from a diminutive form of Mecca.
Medici Italian
Patronymic or plural form of Medico. This was the name of an Italian political dynasty that was in power through the Renaissance period.
Melillo Italian
Means "small apple, crab apple" in Neapolitan, either a topographic name, an occupational name for a grower or seller of apples, or perhaps a nickname for someone with a sour disposition. Alternatively, it could be from the Latin given name Mellilus, related to the endearment mellilla "little honey", or be a diminutive form of Meli.
Melle Italian
Derived from the place name Melle in Cueno, Piedmont, northern Italy. It could also be derived from the given name Mello, a short form of diminutives ending with -mello (like Giacomello, a diminutive of Giacomo).
Mendola Italian
topographic name for someone who lived by an almond tree or trees or a habitational name from any of the places called with the dialect term amendola mendula "almond almond tree" (see Amendola ). Compare Lamendola.
Menotti Italian
From the medieval given name Menotto, a diminutive of Domenico via its short form Menico.
Merendino Italian
Diminutive of Merenda.
Merlino Italian
Either from the given name Merlino the Italian form of Merlin, a diminutive of Merlo, or for someone who came from Merlino in the Milano province.
Messi Italian, Spanish (Latin American)
Possibly from Italian messi meaning "messengers". A famous bearer of this surname is Lionel Messi (born 1987-), an Argentinian footballer of Italian descent.
Metaldi French, Italian
Probably derived from the feminine given name Methald, a variant of Germanic Mechthild.
Metallo Italian
Means "metal" in Italian, ultimately derived from Ancient Greek μέταλλον (metallon) "mine, quarry; metal". Probably a metonymic occupational name for a miner or a metalworker, or perhaps a nickname for someone with a clear, metallic tone of voice... [more]
Mezzasalma Italian
From Italian mezza "half" and salma, an archaic term for a small unit of land, indicating that the bearer was not very wealthy. Salma also coincides with an Italian word meaning "corpse".
Miceli Italian
Southern Italian variant of Micheli.
Micucci Italian
Patronymic or plural form of a pet form of the personal name Mico, a short form of Michele 1.
Mignano Italian
Possibly taken from the Mignano Monte Lungo commune in the Province of Caserta in the Italian region Campania.
Milan Italian, French
Habitational name from the Italian city of Milan (see Milano).
Milanesi Italian
It comes from the Italian city of Milan, in Lombardia (northern Italy), where it is most used
Minella Italian
Southern Italian, from a pet form of the female personal name Mina 1, a short form of Guglielmina, Giacomina, etc.
Minelli Italian
Patronymic or plural form of Minello, a pet form of the personal name Mino, which is a short form of a personal name formed with the hypocoristic suffix -mino, such as Adimino, Giacomino, Guglielmino, etc.
Minervini Italian
Either a variant of or son of Minervino.
Minervino Italian
a habitational name from either of two places, Minervino di Lecce or Minervino Murge, in the provinces of Lecce and Bari, which take their names from ancient temples dedicated to the Roman goddess Minerva.
Mio Italian
Variant of Mione.
Miola Italian
Derived from the given name Meo, a short form of names such as Bartolomeo, Romeo, Tolomeo, or perhaps Mattheo.
Missoni Italian, Friulian
Of uncertain meaning.
Modena Italian, Judeo-Italian
Italian and Jewish (from Italy) habitational name from the city of Modena in Emilia-Romagna.
Modigliani Italian
Used by Sepharditic Jews, this surname comes from the Italian town of Modigliana, in Romagna. Famous bearers of this surname include painter Amedeo Modigliani (1884–1920) and Nobel Prize in Economics recipient Franco Modigliani (1918–2003).
Molica Italian
Possibly a variant spelling of Mollica.
Mollica Italian
Means "crumb, breadcrumb; soft inner part of bread" in Italian, a nickname for a physically small or unintelligent person, or perhaps someone considered kind and soft-hearted.
Monaco Italian
Means "monk" in Italian, ultimately derived from Ancient Greek μοναχός (monakhós) "single, solitary" via Latin monachus. Could be a nickname for someone of monkish habits or appearance, a topographic name for someone living close to a monastery, or an occupational name for a servant employed at a monastery.
Moneta Italian
Possibly originating from a nickname given to those who lived near a temple dedicated to Juno Moneta. A famous bearer of this surname is Nobel Prize for Peace recipient Ernesto Teodoro Moneta (1833–1918).
Montalbano Italian
Habitational name from any of several places called Montalbano, including Montalbano di Elicona in northeastern Sicily (earlier simply Montalbano), Montalbano Jonico (Matera province), or the district of Montalbano in Fasano, Brindisi.
Montale Italian
From Latin mons ("mountain"), this surname was originally given as a nickname to people who lived on hills and mountains. A famous bearer of this surname is Italian poet and writer Eugenio Montale (1896-1981), winner of the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1975.
Montalto Italian, Portuguese
Habitational name from any of various places called Montalto or Montaldo especially Montalto Uffugo in Cosenza province in Italy or from a place in Portugal called Montalto from monte "hill" and alto "high" (from Latin altus).
Montaperto Italian
From the name of a town in Agrigento, Sicily, perhaps meaning "open mountain" from monte "mountain" and aperto "open, unlocked".
Montecalvo Italian
Habitational name from any of various places called Montecalvo ("bald mountain") especially Montecalvo Irpino in Avellino province, from the elements monte "mountain" and calvo "bald".
Montecchi Italian
Italian form of Montague.
Montefiore Italian, Jewish
Derived from Montefiore, which is the name of several places in Italy. For example, there is Castle Montefiore in the town of Recanati (province of Macerata), the municipality of Montefiore Conca (province of Rimini) and the municipality of Montefiore dell'Aso (province of Ascoli Piceno)... [more]
Monteleone Italian
From various place names, meaning "mountain lion", or "mountain of the lion".
Monteverde Italian
Habitational name from any of various places called Monteverde, for example in Avellino province, from monte meaning "mountain" + verde meaning "green".
Montone Italian
nickname from montone "ram" (from Medieval Latin multo genitive multonis). Or a habitational name from any of numerous places called Montone ("big mountain").
Montoro Spanish, Italian
A Spanish habitational name from any of the places called Montoro in particular those in Córdoba or Teruel provinces. Italian habitational name from any of the places called Montoro in particular Montoro Inferiore and Montoro Superiore in Avellino province.
Monzo Italian
Possibly a variant of Monsu, which may be an occupational name for a cook, Calabrian munsu, or a nickname or title from Milanese monsu ‘sir’, ‘lord’, ‘gentleman’.
Mori Slovene, Italian
Variant of Moro.
Morici Italian, Hungarian
From a variant of the Italian given name Maurizio, Hungarian name Móric both are cognitive of Morris.
Moro Italian, Spanish
Nickname from moro "moor" from Latin maurus "moor, north african" and Italian variant of Mauro.
Morreale Italian
Habitational name from the town of Monreale in Sicily, derived from Italian monte regale meaning "royal mountain".
Moscatelli Italian
The name Moscatelli has its origins in a type of grape called Moscatel. This grape has its origin in ancient Egypt or Greece, but it was in Italy that it became famous. Here the farmers that planted the grape became known as the Moscatelli.
Moscati Italian
Possibly a variant of Moscato.
Moscato Italian
Variant of the personal name Muscato, also Americanized spelling of Greek Moskatos, a metonymic occupational name for a grower of muscat grapes.
Mosele Italian
Probably related to German Moser, derived from moos "moss, bog". Alternatively, could be related to the toponyms Mosa or Mosella, which are of Celtic origin.
Mucciarone Italian
From an augmentative form of the dimunitive suffix -muccio short form of pet names ending in -muccio such as Anselmuccio or Giacomuccio.
Muccio Italian
Short form of pet names ending in -muccio such as Anselmuccio or Giacomuccio... [more]
Munno Italian
An assimilated form of Mundo.
Musso Italian
Nickname for someone with some peculiarity of the mouth.
Muzzi Italian
From the Latin given names Mucius or Mutius (see Muzio), possibly derived from mutus "mute, silent"... [more]
Naitana Italian, Sardinian
Probably from the name of a disappeared village, itself derived from Latin navita "sailor, navigator".
Negro Italian, Spanish, Portuguese, Jewish
From a medieval continuation of the Latin personal name Niger.
Negro Italian, Spanish, Galician, Portuguese, Jewish
Nickname or ethnic name from negro "black" (continuation of Latin niger), denoting someone with dark hair, dark eyes, a dark complexion, someone who wore dark clothes, someone who worked a job in the night, or was otherwise associated with the night.
Negron Spanish, Italian
This surname is a most likely variant of the word and name Negro.
Niccoli Italian
Patronymic form of the given name Nicola 1.
Nicolini Italian
patronymic from Nicolino, a pet form of Nicola
Nievo Italian
From nievo "grandchild, grandson; nephew", probably used to differentiate between relatives of the same name.
Niola Italian
Possibly derived from a pet form of Antonio or Nicola 1.
Nocella Italian
Diminutive of Noce.
Nora Italian, German
Italian and German: from a short form of the feminine personal names Eleonora or Leonora.
Nordio Italian
Probably derived from a given name containing the element nord "north", of Frankish or Germanic origin.
Normanno Italian
Italian cognitive of Norman.
Notte Italian
From Italian notte "night", perhaps a shortened form of Mezzanotte "midnight" or Bonanotte "good night".
Novello Italian
From the nickname and personal name Novello, from Italian meaning 'new, young'. A famous bearer of this name is Welsh actor and musician Ivor Novello (1893-1951).
Occhibelli Italian
Probably from Italian occhio "eye" and bello "beautiful, good", as a nickname for someone with keen eyesight or attractive eyes. May also originate from a place of the same name.
Ognissanti Italian
Means "all saints" in Italian, either from the devotional name given to children born on All Saints’ Day, or from any of several locations named as such.
Oliva Italian, Spanish
Of uncertain origin: derived either from a nickname to those who picked, worked with or sold olives, or from the given name Oliva.
Orsi Italian
Patronymic or plural form of Orso. It may also be an Italianized form of Slovenian Uršic, metronymic from the female personal name Urša, short form of Uršula (Latin Ursula), or a patronymic from the male personal name Urh, Slovenian vernacular form of Ulrik, German Udalrich
Ortolano Italian, Spanish
occupational name for a cultivator or seller of fruit and vegetables ortolano "gardener" from a derivative of orto "vegetable garden" (from Latin hortus "garden"). The term was also used in the medieval period to denote both a cleric with a fervant devotion to pastoral work and a rough or uncouth person and in some instances may have been applied as a nickname in either sense... [more]
Ortone Italian
Italian form of Horton.
Ortonio Italian, Spanish
Variant of Ortone. Italian and Spanish form of Hortonius.
Pacetti Italian
Variant of Pacetto, a pet form of the personal name Pace.
Pacifico Italian, Portuguese (Brazilian), Jewish (Sephardic)
Means "peaceful" in Italian, taken from the Late Latin given name Pacificus. As a Jewish surname, it is a translation of Shelomo (see Solomon), derived from Hebrew שָׁלוֹם (shalom) "peace".
Pacino Italian
Diminutive form of Pace. The American actor Al Pacino (1940-) is a well-known bearer of this surname.
Pacione Italian
From an augmentative of the personal name Pace.
Paganini Italian
Patronymic form of a diminutive of Pagano.
Paganino Italian (Rare)
From the given name Paganino, or a diminutive of Pagano.
Pagliarulo Italian
Southern Italian diminutive of Pagliaro.
Palazzola Italian
Feminine form of Palazzolo.
Palermo Italian
From the name of the capital city in Sicily.
Palladio Italian
Andrea Palladio (1508-1580) was an Italian Renaissance architect active in the Venetian Republic. He designed churches and palaces, but he was best known for his country houses and villas. The architectural treatise, The Four Books of Architecture, summarizes his teachings... [more]
Palma Spanish, Catalan, Galician, Portuguese, Italian
Spanish, Catalan, Galician, Portuguese, and southern Italian: habitational name from any of various places named or named with Palma, from Latin palma ‘palm’. ... [more]
Palmero Italian
The Palmero family lived in the territory of Palma, which is in Campania, in the province of Naples. The surname Palma was also a patronymic surname, derived from the personal name Palma, which was common in medieval times... [more]
Pampo Italian
1 Italian: from a short form of Alampo, from the Greek personal name Eulampios, adjectival derivative of eulampēs ‘most splendid’.... [more]
Panarese Italian
habitational name for someone from a place called Panaro (from Latin panarium "bread basket") for example in Siracusa province Sicily or from Panareo in Salento from an adjectival form of the place names.
Panciera Italian
from panciera denoting the piece of the armor covering the stomach (from pancia "belly paunch") perhaps used for an armorer or for someone with a large paunch.
Pandolfi Italian
Patronymic or plural form of the given name Pandolfo, from Langobardic Pandulf... [more]
Pandolfo Italian, Italian (Tuscan)
From the given name Pandolfo. Variant of Pandolfi.
Panebianco Italian
Means "white bread", from Italian pane "bread" and bianco "white", an occupational name for a baker who worked with high quality breads, or in some cases perhaps a nickname for someone of good character.
Panella Italian
From the name of a kind of fritter or pancake made with chickpea powder. Could be an occupational name for a baker, or perhaps a nickname for someone with a yellowish complexion. Alternatively, can be a diminutive form of Pane.
Panetta Italian
Diminutive form of Italian pane "bread", probably an occupational name for a baker.
Panichi Italian
Probably from panico, a type of millet grown in Italy. Alternately, it could be from the Latin name Panicus "of Pan, panic".
Panozzo Italian
Venice, one of the oldest and most beautiful regions of Italy, is the esteemed birthplace of numerous prominent families, and of a family that bears the surname Panozzo. Although people were originally known only by a single name, it became necessary for them to adopt a second name to identify themselves, as populations grew and travel became more frequent... [more]
Paolucci Italian
Deriving from Paoluccio, itself a diminutive of Paolo.
Papaccio Italian
Possibly from the Latin given name Papacius, or from the Greek surname Papakis... [more]
Paratore Italian
Derived from Italian paratore meaning "decorator, fuller", which refers to a craftsman who fulls coarse cloth. In other words: this surname is the Italian cognate of the English surname Fuller... [more]
Parletti Italian (Rare)
It is a surname of Italian origin, believed to mean "talkative", although few have this surname. Approximately 11 people bear this surname.
Parolo Italian
Derived from a variant of Italian paiolo "cauldron, copper pot", an occupational name for someone who made or sold such vessels.
Pasqualini Italian
Derived from Pasqualino, a diminutive of the given name Pasquale.
Passi Italian, Medieval Italian
The surname Passi was first found in the town of Mugello, with the Passerini family who moved south to Florence in the 10th century. Terranova dei Passerini is a comune in the Province of Lodi in the Italian region Lombardy about 50 kilometres (31 miles) southeast of Milan.... [more]
Paterno Italian
From any of several locations called Paterno or Paterna in Italy, which can derive from Latin patere "open", or from the Roman cognomen Paternus "paternal, fatherly".
Paternò Italian
From the name of a municipality in Catania, Sicily, of uncertain etymology. It could derive from latinized Ancient Greek Paetram Aitnaion meaning "fortress of the Etnaeans", from Latin-Byzantine paternum praedium (or Paternòn) meaning "landed property inherited from the father", or perhaps from Latin Praeter Aetna "in front of Mount Etna".
Paternostro Italian
Italianized form of Paternoster.
Patta Italian
Possibly from patta "draw, settlement", perhaps a nickname given to a negotiator. The same term can also mean "heat, warmth of the hearth".
Pavese Italian
Means "one from Pavia". Pavia is an Italian town located in Lombardy, northern Italy. It can also derive from pavese, a kind of big, Medieval shield.... [more]
Pecorella Italian
Diminutive of Pecora "sheep", often in the sense of "lamb".
Pedemonte Italian
Variant of Piemonte, Means "at the foot of the mountains"... [more]
Pedretti Italian, Italian (Swiss), Romansh
Italian patronymic form of Pedretto, itself derived from the given name Peter.
Pedroli Italian (Swiss), Romansh
Derived from a diminutive form of the given name Peter.
Pelagatti Italian
Probably derives from an old expression meaning "cheat, scoundrel", literally a combination of pela "to skin" and gatti "cats".
Peles English, Welsh, Italian
Some characteristic forenames: Italian Angelo, Livio, Primo, Santo.... [more]
Pelliccia Italian
From Italian pelliccia "fur (of an animal)".
Pelosi Italian
Patronymic or plural form of Peloso.
Peppe Italian
From a short form of the personal name Giuseppe.
Peretti Italian
Patronymic from a pet form of the personal name Pero.
Perna Italian
Meaning uncertain, possibly from the dialectic word perna "leg", denoting someone with a deformed or missing leg, or a variant of Perla.
Pernier Italian
A famous bearer is the Italian archaeologist Luigi Pernier (1874 - 1937), who discovered the mysterious Phaistos disc on the Greek island of Crete.
Pero Italian
Variant of Piero.
Perrone Italian
Some characteristic forenames: Italian Angelo, Salvatore, Antonio, Pasquale, Vito, Domenic, Cosmo, Gaetano, Pellegrino, Rocco, Sal, Aldo.... [more]
Perseu Italian
Sardinian form of Perseo.
Persia Italian, Spanish
Ethnic name or regional name for someone from Persia (modern-day Iran) or some other country with Persian-speaking peoples or a nickname for someone who had visited or traded with one of these countries (see the given name Persis)... [more]
Pesci Italian
Variant of Pesce.
Pesto Italian
1. Etymology:... [more]
Petazzi m Italian
Italian: Petazzi ... [more]
Petrillo Italian
From the given name Pietro. A famous user of this name is Sophia Petrillo, one of the main characters on the sitcom, The Golden Girls.
Petrocelli Italian
Pluralized variant of Petrosello, itself a variant of Petrosino.
Pettinati Italian
Diminutive form of Pettinato.
Pettinato Italian
Italian cognate of Peinado.
Peverelli Italian
Likely an altered form of Poverelli.
Piana Italian
Topographic name from piana ‘plain’, ‘level ground’, from Latin planus, or a habitational name from any of the places named with this word.
Pica Italian, Catalan
Nickname for a gossipy or garrulous person, from the central-southern Italian word pica ‘magpie’. Compare Picazo.Catalan: habitational name from any of the numerous places called Pica.Catalan: from either pica ‘pointed object’ (weapon, etc.) or a derivative of picar ‘to prick’.
Pietrafesa Italian
From the former name of a town in Potenza, Italy (changed to Satriano di Lucania in 1887), an Italianized form of Medieval Latin Petrafixa, composed of petra "rock, stone" and fixa "fixed, fastened, immovable; constant"... [more]
Pietrangelo Italian
Derived from the given name Pietrangelo, a variant of Pierangelo, formed from Pietro and Angelo.
Pili Italian
Sardinian form of Italian pelo "hair, hairy".
Pininfarina Italian
A combination of "pinin", Piedmontese for youngest/smallest brother, and Farina, the Italian variant of Miller. This is the name of the Italian coachbuilder, founded by Battista "Pinin" Farina, later Battista Pininfarina.
Pino Spanish, Galician, Italian
Spanish and Galician habitational name from any of the places in Galicia (Spain) named Pino from pino "pine" or a topographic name for someone who lived by a remarkable pine tree. Italian habitational name from Pino d'Asti in Asti province Pino Torinese in Torino or Pino Solitario in Taranto all named with pino "pine’... [more]
Piovasco Italian, Literature
Means "shower, brief fall of rain" in Italian, from Italian piovere or piova, both meaning "rain" with an added suffix. Cosimo Piovasco di Rondò is the protagonist in the Italian novel The Baron in the Trees by Italo Calvino, who inherited this surname from his father, Arminio Piovasco.
Pipola Italian
Probably a variant of Pipolo.
Pipolo Italian
Possibly derived from a Latin word meaning "nothing, insignificant; a thing without value", perhaps a nickname for an unimportant or disliked person. Alternatively, it could be from a pet form of the given name Pippo, a diminutive of Filippo.
Pirelli Italian
From an altered form of the given name Piero.
Pirovano Italian
Probably from a place in Lombardy, itself possibly deriving from Ancient Greek πυρο- (pyro-) "fire" and -γενής (-genes) "born of".
Pisa Italian
Habitational name from the city of Pisa in Tuscany. The city was probably founded by Greek colonists, but before coming under Roman control it was in the hands of the Etruscans, who probably gave it its name... [more]
Pisano Italian
Variant of Pisani.
Piscopo Italian, Neapolitan
Means "bishop" in Neapolitan, ultimately derived from Ancient Greek ἐπίσκοπος (episkopos) "overseer, supervisor, bishop" or "watcher, guardian"... [more]
Pisoni Italian
patronymic "from Pisone", from a derivative of Piso, from Latin pisum "pea"
Pittau Italian
Sardinian diminutive of Sebastiano.
Pizza Italian
Variant of Pizzo.
Poli Italian
From the given name Polo, medieval variant of Paolo.
Polidore Italian (Americanized), French
Americanized form of Polidoro and French variant of Polydore from the given name Polydore.
Polidori Italian
Means "son of Polidoro". Famous bearers include John William Polidori (1795-1821), a physician to Lord Byron and author of 'The Vampyre' (1819), and his sister Frances Polidori (1800-1886), the mother of painter and poet Dante Gabriel Rossetti, poet Christina Rossetti, critic William Michael Rossetti, and author Maria Francesca Rossetti.
Polito Italian
Reduced form of Ippolito. Compare French Hypolite, Greek Politis... [more]
Polombo Italian
Derived from Palombo literally meaning "Ring Dove" or Palombella meaning "Wood Pigeon" in the dialects of Southern Italy.
Pompei Italian
Habitational name from a place called Pompei in Naples province. Or a patronymic or plural form of Pompeo.
Pompilii Italian, Medieval Latin
The surname Pompilii is of Italian origin and is likely derived from the Latin name Pompilius, which is historically linked to Numa Pompilius, the legendary second king of Rome known for his wisdom and religious reforms... [more]
Ponzi Italian
Patronymic form of Ponzio.
Porrin Italian
Americanized form of Perino.
Posada Italian, Caribbean
Spanish: habitational name from any of the numerous places named Posada, from posada ‘halt’, ‘resting place’. ... [more]
Poteet English, Italian (Americanized)
Probably an Anglicized form of Italian Potito, ultimately from the Roman cognomen Potitus.
Prado Italian
Variant of Prato 1.
Prata Italian
Variant of Prato 1.
Preve Italian
Derives from the Latin "presbyter" with the meaning of "Older". Abundant in the Piedmont region.
Preve Italian
From Greek "πρεσβύτερος" (presbyteros), via Latin "presbyter" with the meaning of "The Old One".... [more]
Prezioso Italian
Means "precious, valuable" in Italian, derived from a nickname or from a medieval given name (masculine form of Preziosa).
Príncipe Italian, Spanish
From principe "prince, heir" (Latin princeps, genitive principis, from primus "first" and capere "to take"), applied probably as a nickname for someone who gave himself airs and graces or for someone in the service of a prince.
Priore Italian
from Italian priore "prior" either a nickname or occupational name which probably most often originated as a metonymic occupational name for a servant of a prior or some important lay dignitary... [more]
Procida Italian
Habitational name from Procida, one of the Flegrean Islands off the coast of Naples in southern Italy. Derived from Ancient Greek Προχύτη (Prokhútē) via Latin Prochyta, of uncertain etymology.
Procopio Italian
Italian (Calabria) and Greek (Prokopios): from the personal name Procopio, Greek Prokopios, from pro ‘before’, ‘in front’ + kopē ‘cut’, actually an omen name meaning ‘success’, ‘prosperity’ but as a Church name taken to mean ‘pioneer’ as it was the name of the first victim of Diocletian's persecutions in Palestine in AD 303... [more]
Proia Italian
From the name of a place in Italy. The meaning is uncertain, but it might be derived from Greek πρωία (proía) "morning".
Pugina Italian
Possibly derived from Venetian Pùgia, referring to the region of Puglia (see Pugliese), or pugia meaning "abundance, plenty" as well as referring to the cuccagna pole festivities... [more]
Puglia Italian
habitational name from Apulia (Italian Puglia) in southeastern Italy. Variant of Pugliese.
Puglisi Sicilian
Southern Italian variant of Pugliese.
Pugno Italian
The Italian family name Pugno is considered by scholars to be of nickname origin. While the majority of surnames that are derived from a sobriquet or nickname reveal to us some aspect of the physical appearance of the initial bearer of the name or may allude to a characteristic of this person, other nickname family names make reference to a particular piece of clothing or favorite article or indeed a favorite color of the bearer of the name... [more]
Quasimodo Italian (Rare)
From the name of the Sunday that follows Easter, called Quasimodo Sunday, which gets its name from the opening words of the Latin chant quasi modo meaning "like the way" (see Quasimodo as a first name), possibly denoted somebody who was born or baptized in the first Sunday after Easter... [more]
Quattrociocchi Italian
From quattro ciocchi, "four logs of wood" in Italian.
Quinto Aragonese, Spanish, Catalan, Italian
Habitational surname for a person from a place called Quinto, for example in Zaragoza province. However, the high concentration of the surname in Alacant province suggests that, in some cases at least, it may derive from the personal name Quinto (from Latin Quintus denoting the fifth-born child or Catalan quinto "young soldier").... [more]
Racioppi Italian, Sicilian
Derived from Sicilian racioppu meaning "cluster of grapes", hence presumably a metonymic occupational name for someone who sold or produced grapes.
Ragonesi Italian
Meaning: People Of Aragon
Ragusa Italian
Habitational name from Ragusa in Sicily, or from the ancient city of Dubrovnik on the Dalmatian coast of Croatia (Italian name Ragusa).
Ragusea Italian (Americanized)
Possibly an Americanized form of Ragusa. Adam Ragusea (1982-) is an American internet personality who makes videos about food recipes, food science, and culinary culture.
Rapino Italian
From the name of two municipalities in Abruzzo, Italy. It could also be a nickname for a barber, derived from Italian rapare meaning "to crop, to shave, to scalp".
Rapinoe Italian (Anglicized)
Americanized form of Rapino. American former soccer player Megan Rapinoe (1985-) bears this name.
Rau Sicilian
Sicilian form of Rao 2.
Reale Italian
Means "royal" in Italian, either an occupational name for someone in the service of a king or a nickname for someone who behaved in a regal manner.
Reali Italian
Variant of the surname Reale, which stems from reale "royal", either a name for someone in the service of a royal or a nickname for someone who behaved in a regal, aristocratic manner.
Recchia Italian
Nickname from a reduced form of orecchia "ear".
Recchio Italian
Probably a shortened form of orecchio "ear".
Renardo Italian
Italian variant of Reynold
Renda Italian
Derived from the short form of a variant of Latin Laurentius (compare Renza), or perhaps from a feminine variant of Germanic Rando... [more]
Renna Italian
Variant of Renda.
Riccia Italian
Variant form of Ricci.
Richie English (Rare), Italian
Diminutive form of Richard. It could also have been a nickname for one who was rich or wealthy, or, in Italy, a variant of Ricci... [more]
Righetti Italian
Means "son of Righetto" a pet form of the personal name Rigo.
Rigo Italian, Catalan
From the given name Rigo a short of any of the given names Rigoberto, Arrigo, and Federigo.
Rigoldi Italian
Derived from the given name Rigo, a short form of various names.
Rigoli Italian
Derived from the given name Rigo, a short form of various names.
Riola Italian
Regional variant of Riolo.
Rispoli Italian
A patronymic from a derivative of the given name Rispo, which is probably of Germanic origin. Alternatively, it could be a variant of Ruspoli, which is of unknown origin.
Risso Italian
Variant of Riccio.
Rita Italian, Portuguese, Spanish, Catalan
From the female personal name Rita, a reduced form of MargharitaMargaret’, chosen in particular in honor of a 15th-century Italian saint who bore the name in this form.
Ritacco Italian
Probably a derivative of Rito, a masculinized form of the female personal name Rita.
Rivabella Italian
Derived from the Italian word riva meaning "bank (shore, riverbank, lakebank)" (from Latin ripa) and bella meaning "beautiful"... [more]
Rizza Italian
Variant of Rizzo.
Rizzotti Italian
From a diminutive of Rizzo.
Roascio Italian (Rare)
Derived from Roascio, the name of a municipality in the province of Cuneo in the Piedmont region of Italy. The meaning of the municipality's name is uncertain, but since it is located in Piedmont and known as Roass in the Piedmontese language, the etymological origin of the name is most likely Piedmontese... [more]
Roasio Italian
This surname originates from the Piedmont region of Italy. It is most likely derived from Roasio, which is the name of a municipality in that same region. The meaning of the municipality's name is uncertain, but since it is located in Piedmont and known as Roaso in the Piedmontese language, the etymological origin of the name is most likely Piedmontese... [more]
Romana Catalan, French, Italian, Polish, English (Rare), German, Hungarian, Romanian, Ukrainian, Belarusian
From the feminine form of the Latin personal name Romanus, which originally meant "Roman".
Romani Italian
Patronymic or plural form of the personal name Romano.
Romie Italian
From a diminutive of Roman or its derivative names.
Ronchetto Italian
Italian: diminutive from a variant of Ronco .
Roppolo Italian
Perhaps a derivative of Roppo, a given name of Germanic origin.
Rosano Italian
rosa meaning pink. Could also be indicative of a location known for or possessing roses.
Rosati Italian
Variant of Rosato.
Rosi Greek, Italian
Greek: Metronymic from the female personal name Rosa 1, or alternatively a variant of Rosso.... [more]
Rubino Italian
The surname Rubino derives from the name Rubino, in turn originated from the Latin term "Rubeus" (red) with evident reference to the well-known precious stone. It is thought that originally the surname was attributed to the physical characteristics of having red hair, however, the origin of the surname Rubino from the Hebrew term "Ruben" which meant "son of providence", or even from the apheresis of the name "Cherubino".
Rucci Italian
Patronymic from the personal name Ruccio, from a short form of various pet names formed with this suffix, as for example Gasparuccio (from Gaspari) or Baldassaruccio (from Baldasare).
Ruffalo Italian
Variant spelling of Ruffolo. A famous bearer is American actor Mark Ruffalo (1967-).
Ruffolo Italian
Derived from the given name Ruffo, an Italian form of Rufus.
Ruotina Italian
Means "wheel" in Italian. This meant that a bearer of this surname was a wheel maker.
Rusconi Italian
From Italian rusca, "splinter, sliver of wood".
Russi Italian
Variant of Rossi.
Rutigliano Italian
From the name of a town located in Bari Province of Apulia, Italy.
Sabatini Italian
Patronymic or plural form of Sabatino.
Sabella Sicilian, Italian
Possibly derived from the Latin cognomen Sabellus, or in some cases from a diminutive of the feminine given name Isabella... [more]
Saccà Italian
From Arabic سقى (saqa) "to give water", a nickname for a water carrier.
Saccardo Italian
Occupational name for someone who transported or guarded supplies for an army, ultimately derived from sacco "sack, bag" and the suffix -ardo, literally translating as "sacker". Has the transferred meaning of "looter, robber".
Saco Italian
There are several possible derivations for the Saco surname: the Saco name evolved from an old Tuscan personal name, Saccus; it came from the word "sacco" meaning "a sack," and was an occupational name for a maker of sacks or bags; it was a habitational name taken on from the place named Sacco in Salerno province.
Saetta Italian
Possibly an Italianized form of Sicilian Saitta, or else taken directly from the Italian word saetta meaning "arrow, bolt" or "thunderbolt, lightning"... [more]
Saladino Italian, Sicilian
Either from the personal name Saladino from Arabic (see Saladin ) or a nickname from this name denoting a bully or tyrant... [more]
Salerno Italian
Southern Italian habitational name from the city of Salerno in Campania.
Sallas Italian, Spanish, Catalan, Occitan, Galician, Portuguese, Aragonese, Asturian, Romanian, Greek
Either a variant of Salas or Sala, or else a nickname from Arabic, Turkish, or Persian salli meaning "broad, wide, large, tall".
Salomone Italian
From the given name Salomone the Italian form of Solomon.
Salussolia Italian, Piedmontese
Originally denoted a person from Salussola, a comune (municipality) in the province of Biella in Piedmont, Italy.
Salvatore Italian
Derived from the Italian masculine given name Salvatore, which in turn was derived from the Italian noun salvatore meaning "saviour, rescuer"... [more]
Sammartino Italian
From Italian san (apocopic form of santo ("saint") + Martino ("Martin").
Sandano Italian
Derived from an older form of Italian sandalo "sandal (plant), sandalwood", ultimately from Sanskrit चन्दन (candana). Possibly an occupational name for someone who crafted with the wood, or perhaps a nickname for someone who often wore a sandalwood scent.
Sanfelippo Italian
Italian (mainly Sicily and southern Calabria): habitational name from any of several places so named for a local church or shrine dedicated to St. Philip, in particular San Filippo del Mela in Messina province.
Sanfilippo Italian, Sicilian
habitational name from any of several places called with reference to a local church or shrine dedicated to Saint Philip specifically San Filippo del Mela in Messina province, San Filippo near Reggio Calabria.
Sanguinetti Italian, Judeo-Italian
From Sanguinetto, the name of two places in Genova and Verona provinces.
San Severino Italian, Neapolitan
From the name of places inside Italy, all named after Saint Severinus of Noricum. This name is mainly found in Naples.
Santamaria Italian, French, Spanish
Italian and French cognate of Santamaría as well as a Spanish variant.
Santangelo Italian, Sicilian
Either habitational name from any of numerous places especially in the south named with reference to a local shrine or church dedicated to Saint Angel (Italian Sant'Angelo) as for example Sant'Angelo a Cupolo (Benevento) Sant'Angelo a Fasanella (Salerno) Sant'Angelo all’Esca and Sant'Angelo a Scala (Avellino) Sant'Angelo d'Alife (Caserta) and Sant'Angelo del Pesco (Molise)... [more]
Santi Italian
Derived from the given name Santi, or as a patronymic form of Santo. It can also be derived as a nickname from santo "holy" or "saint", ultimately from Latin sanctus.
Santora Italian
Feminine form of Santoro.
Santorum Italian
Variant of Santoro, from Latin sanctorum "of the saints". A notable bearer is former American Senator Rick Santorum (1958-present).
Saraceno Italian
A nickname from saraceno "Saracen" (from Late Latin Saracenus) denoting someone of swarthy appearance an unruly person or someone who had taken part in a Crusade... [more]
Saragat Italian
Meaning unknown, perhaps a variant of Sarago. The surname of a former Italian president.
Sarda Italian
From the feminine form of Sardo or from sarda "large sardine" either a nickname or occupational name for selling sardines.
Sardella Italian
From sardella "sardine" used as either an occupational name for a fisher or seller of sardines or a nickname for a thin person.
Sardina Italian, Spanish, Galician, Mexican
From sardina Galician sardiña "sardine" used for someone as a catcher or seller of the fish or a nickname for a thin person.
Sardone Italian
Augmentative of Sarda or Sardo "the big Sardinian". in the central and southern Adriatic region from sardone "anchovy".
Sarracino Italian
From Neapolitan sarracino, meaning "Saracen", a term used to refer to a variety of ethnic and religious groups, including a nomadic people from Sinai, Muslims, and pirates from the Mediterranean.
Sartori Italian
Variant of Sarto, through Latin Sartorius.
Savelli Italian
It could derive from the Sabelli (ancient Italic tribe), pre-Roman population, or from toponyms such as Savelli di Norcia (PG) and indicate the origin of the founder.
Savio Italian
Italian nickname given to a wise, sage man. Saint Dominic Savio is a well-known bearer of this surname.
Savorgnan Italian (Rare)
From a small town near Udine named Savorgnano del Torre, of Friulian origin. This was the name of a Friulian aristocratic family, ascribed to the Venetian participate. The famous bearer of this surname was an Italian-French explorer Pierre Paul François Camille Savorgnan de Brazza (1852-1905)
Scafata Italian
Possibly denoting someone from the Italian town Scafati, from Latin scapha "skiff, light boat". Alternately, may be from Italian scafare "to husk peas", either literally referring to someone's occupation, or from the figurative meaning of "to make more confident; alert, shrewd".
Scaglietti Italian
The name of an Italian coachbuilder, with one of its famous customers being Ferrari when it doesn't want a design from Pininfarina.
Scaglione Italian
Derived from scaglione meaning "stallion’s canine tooth" (an augmentative form of scaglie meaning "canine tooth", from Old French escaillon meaning "horse’s tooth"), presumably a nickname for someone with exceptionally large teeth.
Scala Italian
Means "ladder, stair, scale" in Italian, a habitational name from any of various places named Scala, or a topographic name for someone who lived near a prominent staircase or terraced land... [more]
Scali Italian
Habitational name from Scali in Piedimonte Etneo, Sicily, derived from Greek σκαλί (skali) "step, rung (of a ladder)".
Scali Italian
Variant of Scala.
Scalia Italian
Habitational name derived from Scalea in the province of Cosenza, deriving ultimately from medieval Greek skaleia meaning "hoeing".