I don’t know about you, but I’ve always been fascinated by the stories behind Italian last names, many of them are like tiny time capsules. And when it comes to the more unusual ones, well, that’s where things get really interesting. Sure, some sound downright hilarious to our modern ears, but behind every quirky last name lies a surprising origin story.
So, I turned once again to the treasure trove that is Cognomix.it and handpicked 15 of the most unusual Italian last names I could find, each with its own curious meaning which I’ve shared below (I never would have guessed the story behind #5!).
1. BONADONNA
Bonadonna is a fusion of bona (a dialectal twist on buona, meaning “good”) and donna (“woman”), evoking the image of a classy lady or a noble soul. But the phrase means something quite different in modern Italian, where buona donna is actually a not-so-subtle euphemism for a prostitute, most famously used in the expression figlio di buona donna—literally “son of a good woman,” but definitely not meant as a compliment.
2. BUTTACAVOLI
Let’s break it down: butta means “throw,” and cavoli are cabbages, the humble vegetable we love to use in all sorts of idioms. So what’s the story here? Were the first Buttacavolis angry market vendors hurling produce in protest? Maybe pranksters with a flair for flying veggies? We may never know for sure, but chances are they had plenty to do with the fruit and veg scene!
3. CANTARUTTI
Hailing from the Friuli Venezia Giulia region, especially around Udine, Cantarutti is a surname that, to the modern ear, might sound a little unfortunate. Canta means “sing,” and rutti refers to “belches.” Not exactly the lyrical combo you would expect from an Italian last name! But the meaning behind it is not quite that literal. The key is the suffix: -utti is a regional diminutive, so rather than pointing to someone belching, Cantarutti was likely a nickname along the lines of “the little singer” or “that guy who’s always humming something.”
4. CHIAPPA
If you speak some Italian, you’re probably already smirking, because in everyday slang, chiappa means, yep, our butt cheek. But behind the giggles lies a more respectable origin. This last name likely traces back to the Latin verb clapare, meaning “to seize” or “to capture.” The same root that gave us acchiappare, the Italian for “to snatch.” So odds are, the original Chiappas weren’t famous for their derrière, but for their skills as hunters or maybe as master trap builders!
5. CANTACESSI
Cantacessi sounds like it means “sing the toilets,” with canta meaning “sing” and cessi being a not-so-classy slang word for “toilets.” But before you imagine someone unleashing dramatic arias in public restrooms, wait, because the story behind this last name is actually quite moving. It’s believed to come from the ancient profession of canta decessi, those who sang mourning songs during communal grieving. These were very important, because the louder and more heartfelt the lament, the more honor was shown to the departed. So, this surname probably started as a way to identify someone with that role. Then, over time, the two words merged, and voilà: Cantacessi.
6. PASSACANTANDO
The last name Passacantando breaks down into passa (pass) and cantando (singing), probably starting as a nickname for people who just couldn’t help but stroll by with a song on their lips. Back in the day here in Italy, some workers announced their arrival with a catchy jingle, like the arrotino (the knife sharpener), roaming from village to village, tools in hand, announcing himself with the iconic tune: Donne, è arrivato l’arrotino! (Ladies, the knife sharpener is here!).
7. GUSTAPANE
Gustapane comes from gusta (enjoy) and pane (bread), instantly calling to mind some irresistible bites! Chances are, it started as a nickname for someone who was either a professional baker or just seriouslyghiotto di pane(a true bread lover). Either way, it’s a name that celebrates one of Italy’s most delicious and cherished staples.
8. INGANNAMORTE
Literally translating to “cheat death,” this last name could be the title for an action movie. It’s believed that it started as a kind of magical wish, with parents hoping their child would grow up clever enough to ingannare (outsmart) death itself. So if your last name is Ingannamorte, congratulations: it’s more than just a name, it’s your own good luck charm!
9. MASTRONZO
Oof, this one is a tough last name to carry. Taken literally, it sounds like calling someone an assh**e, with ma meaning “but” and stronzo meaning… well, you know. But the real origin is far less offensive and way more interesting. Mastronzo is actually a blend of mastro, a title once given to skilled artisans, and common names like Alfonso or Oronzo. So, originally it was Mastr’Oronzo (Master Oronzo) or Mastr’Alfonzo (Master Alfonso). Over time, that o got dropped and the two words blended, leaving us with the cheeky-sounding Mastronzo.
10. MEZZASALMA
This Italian last name might sound a bit spooky at first: mezza means “half” and salma means “corpse,” so basically “half a dead body.” The thing is, in the past, salma was also a unit of land measurement commonly used in Sicily (corresponding to about 37,680 square meters). So Mezzasalma probably started as a nickname for a farmer who owned a small patch of land—either literally or as a cheeky way to say “a modest man.”
11. NONFARMALE
Nonfarmale sounds less like a last name and more like a friendly piece of advice. It breaks down into three simple words—non far male—which mean “don’t do harm” or “don’t hurt.” It’s easy to imagine it starting out as a gentle reminder to play nice or maybe a heartfelt wish for a life full of success and good vibes.
12. PISCIONE
Piscione is another one of those last names that tends to get a few laughs because in modern Italian slang, a piscione is someone who pees a lot! But don’t let that fool you, the real origin takes us on a completely different path. It comes from pesce (fish) plus the suffix -one, which hints at something big or abundant. There are two main stories behind it. One says Piscione was a name for someone who fished for a living. The other ties it to Christianity, where fish symbolizes faithful believers. So maybe Piscione started out as a nod to a devout soul… definitely a step up from the modern-day meaning!
13. SCARAMUCCIA
In everyday Italian, scaramuccia means a little skirmish. But as a surname, it traces back to a classic Neapolitan theatre character from the early 1600s: the parody of the swaggering Spanish soldiers stationed in the city at the time. Dressed in black, always spoiling for a fight, always bragging about epic battles, and always losing.
14. TESTAGROSSA
This one is pretty literal: testa (head) and grossa (big) combine to mean “big head.” So, originally, Testagrossa was likely a nickname for someone with a large head, or someone intellectually gifted, like that natural-born leader type every small village had.
15. ZAPPACOSTA
Rooted in the region of Abruzzo, Zappacosta consists of two words: zappa(hoe) and costa (coast). Put them together and you get “hoe-the-coast,” likely a humble yet proud nickname for coastal farmers who worked the rugged land by the sea. A charming last name that beautifully evokes Italy’s agrarian past.
Valentina Nicastro is a travel writer in love with her home country, Italy. Having travelled widely around the globe, she realised there was more to explore closer to home and decided to put the passport aside for a while. When she is not immersed in documenting Italy, you’ll find her donning her communication consultant hat, weaving words as a content writer and bridging linguistic divides as a translator.
