Origin and Etymology of Italian Surnames: from Ab‑ to Am‑

The list includes a possible, or accepted, etymology of many Italian surnames, beginning with "A-", as well as, where data is available, their geographical or historical origin and current distribution.

Alphabetical Index

[ Ab ] [ An ] [ B ] [ C ] [ Da ] [ De ] [ Dia ] [ Din ] [ Do ] [ E ] [ F ] [ G ] [ I ] [ J ] [ L ] [ M ] [ N ] [ O ] [ P ] [ Q ] [ R ] [ S ] [ T ] [ U ] [ V ] [ Z ]

Abba, Abbate, Abate, Abati

Abbo, Abbondi, Bondi

Abrami

Patronimic, from the first name Abramo, of Hebrew origin.

Acardi, Accardi, Accardo

From the German origine akhard, consisting of aki (wound) or agi (fear) and hart (hard) as a nickname for a strong warrior.

Acciari, Acciaro, Acciaroli

From the profession of steel worker or axe maker.

Accorsi, Accorso, Accursio, Accurso

From the Latin verb "adcurro" meaning come in defence or help.

Acerbi, Acerbis, Acerbo

From "acerbus", meaning "cruel" or "too early" (of a premature infant). In the Middle Ages it was common to say "acerba sorte" to mean a cruel destiny.

Acqua, Acquarone, Acquati

Connected to a name of place containing the word "acqua" (water) or to the ancient job of water carrier (vaticale).

Acquaviva

Possibly from the name of a place where a water spring was present (ex. Acquaviva Collecroce).

Adami, Adamo, Adamoli, Adamelli, Adamolli, Ademollo

Addario

Patronimic, from the name Dario = that who owns goodness.

Addazio

Patronimic, from the name Dazio, connected to the cult of San Dazio, an martyr in Africa.

Afferrante

Patronimic, from the first name Ferrante.

Agnello, Agnelli, Agnelluti, Agnellutti

Patronimic, from a first name common in the Middle Ages.

Agnese, Agnesi, D'agnese, Agnesini

Agosti, Agostinelli, Agostini, Agostinone

Patronimic, from the imperial attribute "Augustus" = favored by good omens, or possibly also connected to a birth in August.

Aguzzi, Aguzzo

From an ancient Roman cognomen, "Acutus".

Aiala, Ajala

Typical Sicilian surname, possibly of Spanish or Arabic origin (ayal= deer).

Aiello, Ajello

From the Latin word agellum = small field.

Aiolfi, Aiolfo

Patronimic, from the German name Agilulfo agi (awe) and wolf, meaning someone feared like a wolf.

Airaldi, Airoldi, Airoldo, Araldi, Araldo, Arioldi, Arioldo

Patronimic, from the German name Ariovaldo consisting of haria (army) and waldan (to lead), meaning "that who leads the army".

Aiuto, Aiuti

From a first name used in the Middle Ages and early Christian period as "Diotaiuti" menaing "may God help you" given in good omen, sometimes to orphaned children.

Alamanni

From the nickname "alemannus", of German origin.

Albanese, Albanesi

Originary from Albania. Since the 15th century many colonies of people from Albania moved to Abruzzi, Molise, Apulia, Calabria, Sicily.

Albani, Albano

Toponimic, from many names of places in Italy (Alba, Albano).

Alberani, Alberi, Albero, Alberoni, Arbore, Arboreto

From the Latin word "arbor" = tree, connected possibly to a job as woodcutter.

Alberici, Alberighi, Albrici, Albrisio, Albrizio

Patronimic, from the Gothic name Alberico, consisting of albhi (elf) and rix (lord) meaning Lord of the elves.

Alberti and variations

Albini, Albino, Albinoni

Possibly from the nickname "albinus", person with light skin and white hair.

Albrizio and variations

Aldebrandi, Aldobrandi, Aldobrando, Aldovrando, Altebrandi, Altebrando, Altobrandi, Altobrando

Patronimic, from the German name Aldobrando consisting of alda (wise) or alt (old) and branda (sward).

Alemagna, Alemani, Alemanni

See Alamanni.

Alessandri, Alessandrini, Alessandrino, Alessandro, Alessandrone

From the name Alessandro (Alexander). It became popular because of the Romance (XII century) about Alexander the Great.

Alfano, Alfani

Alfero, Alfiere, Alfieri, Allieri, Alliero, Auferio

Possible origins: patronimic, from the German Adalferio consisting ofi athala (nobility) and faran (travel); or Arabic from al faris (knight) or al faras (horse).

Alfonsetti, Alfonsi, Alfonso, Alfonsoni, Alfonzo

From the first name Alfonso.

Aliotta, Aliotti, Aliotto

Alinari, Alineri, Alinei, Alieri

Patronimic, from the Frankish Alinario consisting of alian (power) and haria (army).

Aliperti, Aliverti

From the German first name Alberto, deriving from Adalberto = famous for nobility.

Allevi, Allievi, Alleva

From a first name used in the Middle Ages and early Christian period as "Diotallevi" menaing "may God raise you" given in good omen, sometimes to orphaned children.

Aloia, Aloja

Patronimic, from the dialect version ov the name Eligio, used in Apulia and Campania.

Aloisa, Aloise, Aloisi, Aloisio, Alvise, Alvisio

Patronimic, from the ancient German name Lodovico, changed into Aloysius.

Alonzi

From the Spanish first name Alonso.

Altamura

Toponimic, from the town of Altamura (BAri).

Alvisa, Alviso, Alvisi

From the first name Aloisio (Luigi) from the ancient French name "Loois" o "Luois" deriving from the German first name Lodovico.

Amadei, Amadeo and variations

Amantea, Amantia

From the locality of Amantea, region of Basilicata.

Amanza

From the Latin first name "Mantius" or from the Calabrese dialect word "manzu" meaning "mansueto" "tame".

Amata, Amato, Amatucci, Amatulli

From the Latin Amatus = loved by God.

Ambrogetti, Ambrogi, Ambrogio, Ambrosetti, Ambrosin, Ambrosio

From the first name Ambrogio, with its many variants has spread throughout the peninsula due to the cult of St. Ambrose in Milan. Derived from the Latin personal name Ambrosius, which in its turn derives from the Greek word Ambròsios = immortal.

Ameglio, Ameli, Amelio, Amelli, Amellio

Two possible etymologies: from the Latin Amelius originating from an Etruscan name, or from the Amali, a powerful Goth tribe.

Amici

From the first name Amico, deriving from the Latin word "amicus" = friend.

Ammassari

Surname derived from the job of the "massaro", boss of farmers.

Amorelli, Amorese, Amoretti, Amori, Amoroso

One possible derivation is from the nickname given at times to children born out of wedlock: child of love.

Anastasi, Anastasio

Patronimic, from the Greek name Anastasios.

Ancilotto

From Lancellotti; it derives from the name of Lancelot, knight of the Round Table, name diffused in 13th century.

Andrea, André, Andreani, Andreasi, Andreatta, Andreazza, Andreazzi, Andrei, Andreini, Andrenacci, Andreotti, Andreoletti, Andreoli, Andreoni, Andretti, Andreutti, Andriani, Andrich

From the first name Andrea, deriving from the Greek name Andreas, transformation of the Greek word "anér" = man.

Anelli, Anello, Anielli, Aniello

From the word "anello" = ring, or from "agnellus" meaning lamb.

Angeletti, Angeli, Angelini, Angelo, Angelone, Angeloni, Angiolini, Angiolo

Patronimic, from the first name Angelo.

Annibale, Annibali, Annibaldi, Anniballo, Anniballi

Patronimic, from the first name Annibale, derived from the Punic (Phoenician) Hannibal.

Annuncio, Annunzia, Annunziata, Annunziato, Annunzio

Patronimic, from the name Annunzio, diminutive of Annunziato that comes from the female name Annunziata. It is a Christian name deriving from Maria Santissima Annunziata.

Ansaldi, Ansaldo

Patronimic, from the Lombard first name Ansoaldo.

Anselmi, Anselmo, Anzelmi, Anzelmo

Patronimic, from the Lombard first name Anselmo consisting of ans (god) ed helm (helmet), meaning God's helmet, or defender.

Ansovini, Ansovino, Anzovini, Anzovino

Patronimic, from the Lombard name Ansovino, consisting of ans (god) e win (friend).

Antenucci, Antenuccia, Antenuccio, Antognazzi, Antognozzi, Antona, Antonacci, Antonazzi, Antonazzo, Antonelli, Antoni, Antoniani, Antoniazzi, Antonicelli, Antonini/O, Antonioli/O, Antonione, Antonioni, Antoniotti/O, Antoniozzi

From the first name Antonio and its derivations Antonuccio, Antonello.

Antinori

Patronimic, from the Greek first name Antinore.

Antoci

Possibly toponimic, meaning from Antiochia.

Antola, Antolini, Antolino

Either toponimic, from the area of Mount Antola in Liguria, or a patronimic derived from a diminutive form of the name Antonio.

Apolloni, Apollonio, Appollonio, Appolloni

From the first name Apollonio.

Apugliese

It derives from the name of the Puglia region; it means inhabitant of Puglia.

Aquila, Aquili

Originary of Aquila, capital city of Abruzzo, or nickname connected to the bird (eagle).

Arcaini, Arcari, Arcarini, Arcaro

From the name of a job, arcaro being a craftsman who made wooden container for bread (arca) or for valuables.

Arcangela Arcangelo Arcangiolo

From the first name Arcangelo; it derives from the Greek word "archangelos" = leader of Angels.

Arcellaio, Arcellai, Arcelli, Arcellone, Arcelloni

Probably derived from the craft of bow-maker.

Arcieri

Ardemagni, Ardemani, Ardemanni

From the german name Ardemanno consisting of hard (strong) and mann (man).

ARDIGO&Rsquo;

Probably from the German name Ardigo, derived from hard (strong).

Ardini, Ardino, Ardovini, Ardovino, Arduini, Arduino

Patronimic, from the German Hardwin, Arduino, consisting of hard (strong) e win (friend).

Ardizzi, Ardizzone, Ardizzoni

Patronimic, from the German name Arditio (coming from hard).

Arena, Areni

Toponimic, from "arena" meaning sandy land.

Armani, Armanini, Armanni, Armanno, Armagno

Armelli, Armellini and variations

Armenti, Armento

Possibly connected to sheep raising, being armento a flock.

Arpini, Arpino

Toponimic, from the town of Arpino in Lazio.

Arrigo, Arrigoni, Endrigo, D'errico and variations

Ascanio

From the first name Ascanio.

Ascensa, Ascenso, Ascenza, Ascenzo

From the first name Ascenso; it is a name connected to the Christian devotion to the Christ "Ascension".

Astolfi, Astolfo, Astolfoni

From the first name Astolfo, of German origin.

Astore, Astori

From the name of the bird (goshawk) used by hunters in the Middle ages, possibly derived from aprofession of bird trainer or a physical/psychological trait.

Atanasi, Atanasio, Attanasi, Attanasio

Patronimic, from the Greec name Athanasios meaning immortal.

Attilio

From the Etruscan first name Attilio.

Augustoni

See AGOSTINI.

Aulerio, Aulo

From the first name Aulo.

Aura

From the first name Auro.

Auregli, Aureli, Aurelio

From the first name Aurelius, of Latin origin.

Aurino, Aurizio, Auro

From the first name Auro.

Aurora

Origin unknown, possibly metronimic (derived from a mother's name), or from a coatofarms representing a rising sun, or a nickname of good omen.

Avaldi, Avalli, Avallone

Possibly toponimic from an Italic "abel" or Celtic "aval" (apple) (see the mythical Avalon).

Avogadro, Avogadri, Avogari, Avogaro

Probably derived from the profession of "avvocato", lawyer.

Azzali, Azzari

Probably derived from the profession of steel maker, or maker of axes (aza = axe).

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