How to find out the origin of your Italian last name? The mini guide

Curiosities about Italian surnames: how do we know where ours comes from?

Here is a mini guide, with an indication of specialized sites on the subject.

How to discover the origins of the Italian surname

• 1. Analyze the surname ending. In Italy, the endings of surnames often reveal the geographical area of ​​origin: -i (e.g. Bianchi, Conti) → typical of Northern Italy. -o (e.g. Russo, Romano) → frequent in Southern Italy. -eo compound forms (e.g. De Luca, Di Pietro) → often present in Central-Southern Italy.
• 2. Search the meaning of the surname. Many surnames derive from professions: Esposito (“exposed”, entrusted), Ferraro (blacksmith) or from physical characteristics: Russo (red hair), Bianchi (light hair) and geographical origins: Romano (from Rome), Calabrese or Calabresi (from Calabria) Pugliese (from Puglia), Leccese (from Lecce), Cosentino (from Cosenza).
• 3. Study the historical diffusion. Some surnames are closely linked to a region: Lombardi – Lombardy, Napolitano – Campania, Siciliano – Sicily.

In addition to the first 3 points, there are also a couple of other hypotheses to analyze. Here they are below

• 4. Consult archives and specialized sites. There are online tools that help trace the origin of surnames: Cognomix (www.cognomix.it) and Gens Italia (www.gens.info). These portals show the current and historical distribution of surnames in Italy.
• 5. Ask in family. Family histories passed down orally are often the first step in discovering valuable information: cities of origin, ports of embarkation (such as Naples or Genoa), or old preserved documents.

Many Italian emigrants have seen their surname changed abroad for linguistic or bureaucratic reasons. For example, Di Giovanni may have become De John or simply Giovanni. In short, Italian in the world is also seen through surnames.

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