First names may come and go like fashion trends, but last names are the threads that connect generations, telling tales of who we were, where we came from, and what made our ancestors unique. Many of the most famous Italian last names have their roots in the quirkiest places – think ancient jobs, far-off places, or even distinctive physical traits that made someone stand out in a crowd centuries ago.
It is said Italy is home to about 400,000 last names today, (source: Treccani Magazine), an incredible variety that is a result of the country’s fragmented past. Interestingly, the first attempt to count them didn’t happen until the 1970s, and the method? Simply flipping through phone books and tallying names!
But don’t worry, I’m not about to list them all. Instead, I’ve got here the top 20 most common Italian last names, as gathered by the folks at cognomix.it.
Rossi
With almost 78,000 people sharing it, Rossi takes the crown as the most popular last name in Italy. It’s so common that it’s become Italy’s version of “Smith,” the go-to name for the average Italian. The last name Rossi likely started as a nickname for someone with reddish hair or a fair complexion. It’s also a good example of how last names in the Middle Ages often took on a plural form to represent not just a single individual, but their entire family.
Famous Rossis: The singer Vasco Rossi, the motorbike champion Valentino Rossi, and the composer Gioacchino Rossini.
Russo
Russo is another last name that nods to the color red, whether it wass someone’s hair color or maybe the hue of the land they lived on. It comes from the Latin word “Russus,” meaning – yep, you guessed it – “red.” Initially used as a nickname, it eventually stuck as a surname, especially in the southern regions of Italy, with Campania and Sicily being Russo hotspots.
Famous Russos: The dancer Carmen Russo and the boxer Clemente Russo
Ferrari
When you hear Ferrari, you might think of a sleek, red sports car zooming down the track. But did you know the name actually comes from the trade of a blacksmith? This was called “faber ferrarius” in Latin, and that’s how the surname Ferrari was born. It’s especially common in the Emilia-Romagna and Lombardy regions.
Famous Ferraris: Enzo Ferrari, the founder of the world-famous car brand, and the actress Isabella Ferrari.
Esposito
The last name Esposito comes from the Latin “expositus”, meaning “exposed”, a word that reflects its poignant origin. It was the last name given to children who were abandoned at birth, often left in a “wheel of the exposed,” a rotating wooden cylinder built into the side of churches. This device allowed parents unable to care for their children to leave them anonymously.
Famous Espositos: Salvatore Esposito, who plays the notorious Genny Savastano in the hit TV series Gomorrah, and Maria Esposito, known for her role in another popular TV series, Mare Fuori.
Bianchi
Bianchi is another common last name in Italian, particularly in Lombardy. It originates from a nickname that described someone with white hair or a pale complexion, or perhaps was associated with elements of the color white in their surroundings, such as whitewashed houses.
Famous Bianchis: The 17th-century painter Federico Bianchi, and the TV presenter Donatella Bianchi
Romano
As you might guess, Romano is all about Rome! This surname, widespread especially in southern Italy, comes from the Latin name “Romanus,” which means “a man of Rome” or “native of Rome.”
Famous Romanos: The actor Sergio Romano and the sculptor Adolfo Romano
Colombo
Derived from the Latin word “Columbus,” which means “pure,” “innocent,” or “gentle,” the last name Colombo was often assigned to foundlings at the Ospedale Maggiore in Milan, an institution that featured a dove in its emblem. Today, Colombo remains a common last name in northern Italy.
Famous Colombos: Cristoforo Colombo, the explorer who discovered America in 1492, and Tenente Colombo, the famous detective with a raincoat, portrayed by Peter Falk in the classic TV series Columbo
Bruno
Bruno might have started as a simple nickname for someone with dark hair or skin, but it gained some serious traction thanks to Saint Bruno of Cologne, the 11th-century monk who founded the Carthusian Order. His influence helped this surname spread across the Christian world.
Famous Brunos: Giordano Bruno, the philosopher who was condemned to death by the Inquisition for heresy
Ricci
Very popular in Lazio, Emilia-Romagna and Tuscany, the last name Ricci comes from the dialect term “rizzo,” meaning curly or harsh. It’s undoubtedly a name with character, evoking images of a wild head of curls or hinting at a somewhat prickly personality.
Famous Riccis: Actresses Sara Ricci and Elena Sofia Ricci, and TV author Antonio Ricci, the brain behind the satirical show “Striscia la Notizia”
Marino
Derived from the Latin “marinus,” meaning “belonging to the sea,” this Italian last name likely originated as a descriptive name for individuals closely associated with maritime life. It was probably given to those who lived by the sea or worked in professions related to it, such as fishermen, sailors, and seafarers. Over time, it became a distinctive marker of their heritage and lifestyle, symbolizing a lineage shaped by the rhythms of the sea.
Famous Marinos: Ignazio Marino, who was mayor of Rome between 2013 and 2015.
Costa
The Italian last name Costa originates from the Latin word “costa,” which means “shore” or “side,” referring to the edge of a river, lake, or the side of a mountain. So if your last name is Costa, chances are your ancestors came from a scenic coastal or mountainous region in Italy. The name is especially common in Sicily, Veneto, and Lombardy.
Famous Costas: The actress Lella Costa and the journalist Francesco Costa.
Franco
The Italian last name Franco can have two origins: it may refer to someone of French descent or be linked to the Germanic tribe known as the Franks. In the case of the latter, the name Franco also carries the meaning of “free,” as the Franks were the first to enjoy political rights under the Roman Empire.
Famous Francos: The TV presenter Pippo Franco
Gallo
The last name Gallo may have originally been a nickname for someone who raised roosters, or it could have playfully described someone naive, as “pollo” in Italian can mean “chump.” It might also have referred to someone with a sense of superiority, similar to the Italian phrase “essere il re del pollaio,” meaning “being the king of the coop.” Alternatively, the name could trace back to inhabitants of Gaul, now France. Its popularity was further boosted by the veneration of the Irish monk San Gallo.
Famous Gallos: Massimiliano Gallo, the actor known for his role in the Italian TV series Imma Tataranni, set in Matera.
Conti
This popular Italian last name comes from the noble title “conte (count), or maybe it was a nickname for someone who was connected to a count, like someone in their service. Surely, a surname that hints at a bit of aristocratic flair!
Famous Contis: Paolo Conti, a famous Italian goalkeeper from the 1970s-80s who famously played without gloves, and TV presenter Carlo Conti, who’s set to host the famous Sanremo Festival next year.
Greco
The last name Greco has a clear ethnic origin, referring to someone from Greece or to ancestors who had a connection with the Greek community in southern Italy (the ancient region of Magna Graecia).
Famous Grecos: TV presenter Alessandro Greco, who comes from Taranto, the only Spartan colony outside Greece.
Martino
Martino comes from the Latin “Martinus,” referring to the Roman god of war, Mars, symbolizing a fierce spirit. It’s also associated with Saint Martin of Tours, a Roman soldier who became one of the most beloved saints in the Christian world.
Famous Martinos: The soprano Adriana Martino.
Giordano
The last name Giordano, common in Campania, is thought to be linked to the Jordan River, where Jesus was baptized by John the Baptist. It was likely given to those with strong religious faith or connections to the Church.
Famous Giordanos: Paolo Giordano, the author of the bestselling novel La Solitudine dei Numeri Primi (The Solitude of Prime Numbers).
Rizzo
Rizzo, like the name Ricci, originally started as a nickname for someone with curly hair—“riccio” in Italian. It’s likely that the family ancestor had notably curly locks!
Famous Rizzos: The Rizzo name belongs to a noble Italian family with roots in Naples and Sicily, and according to tradition, they descend from ancient Roman patricians.
Mancini
This last name comes from the Latin word “mancus,” meaning meaning “crippled” or “one-handed,” and was originally a nickname for someone who used their left hand instead of their right their left hand. So, if you’re a Mancini, you’re likely part of a long line of proud lefties!
Famous Mancinis: TV personality Alessia Mancini, football coach Roberto Mancini, who won the European Championship in 2021, and Maria Mancini, one of the famous “Mazarinettes,” the nieces of the Italian Cardinal Mazarin who were favorites of France’s Sun King, Louis XIV.
Villa
This last name is rooted in the Latin word “villa,” meaning “village, farm, or town.” So, if your last name is Villa, your ancestors might have had strong ties to rural life or landownership – perhaps they were the heart of a small community!
Famous Villas: The singer Claudio Villa, known for his unforgettable hit “Un Amore Così Grande”
Heather Broster is a graduate with honours in linguistics from the University of Western Ontario. She is an aspiring polyglot, proficient in English and Italian, as well as Japanese, Welsh, and French to varying degrees of fluency. Originally from Toronto, Heather has resided in various countries, notably Italy for a period of six years. Her primary focus lies in the fields of language acquisition, education, and bilingual instruction.
