Origin and Etymology of Italian Surnames: M‑
The list includes a possible, or accepted, etymology of many Italian surnames, beginning with "M-", as well as, where data is available, their geographical or historical origin and current distribution.
Alphabetical Index
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Macaluso
Macrì, Macri, Magrì, Macrillo, Macrini, Macrino, Macrina
Probably from a nickname derived from the Greek adjective "makròs" = long, thin, tall to indicate a person of great size.
Maffezzoni, Maffettone
Most common in northern Italy, variations from the first name Matteo.
Maffei, Maffeo, Maffezzoli, Maffii, Maffi, Maffetti, Maffina, Maffini, Maffioni, Maffucci, Mafucci, Maffioli, Maffioletti, Maffiotti, Maffone, Maffulli
Variations from the first name Matteo.
Maggio
From the word "Maggio" = "May", to indicate someone born in said month, or derived from the latin "maior" = major
Mainella, Mainello, Mainelli, Mainetto, Maino, Mainoli, Mainis
From the surname Maino, derived from the German first name Maino
Maineri, Mainieri, Mainiero, Manera, Manero, Meinero
From the first name Mainerius, of German origin, consisting of "magin" = power and "harja" = army
Meo
From the first name Meo, diminutive of Bartolomeo
Maio
From the word "Maggio" = "May" , to indicate someone born in said month, or derived from the latin "maior" = major
Maiorani, Maiorano, Maiorana, Marogani
From the surname Marogani, a French family that came to Italy in the 16th century
Malandra
From the word "malandrino" = a scoundrel or vivacious person
Malatesta
Consisting of "mala" = bad and "testa" = head. To indicate a person of bad character
Mambella, Mambelli
Consisting of "mano" = hand and "bella" = beautiful, used as a nickname
Mammarella
From the word "mamma" = mum. Or from the dialect word "mammarella" = grandmother. It can also be derived from the word "mammara" = midwife
Mancini Mancinelli Mancino
From a medieval nickname meaning left-handed person
Mangraviti
Manes
From the Albanian surname "Manesh"
Manfredi, Manfredo, Manfrida, Manfrini, Manfroni, Manfra, Manfredini, Manferdini, Manfrin, Manfrinato, Manfriello, Manferlotti, Manfellotti, Manfrotto Manfroni Manfroi Manfriani
From the Lombard first name Manfredo of German origin, consisting of "magin" = power and "frithu" = peace, friendship
Manocchio, Mani, Mano
Consisting of two words: "mano" = hand and "occhio" = eye,
Mantini, Mantea, Mantia
From the locality Amantea, region of Basilicata
Manzi, Manzo, Mansos
From the Latin first name "Mantius" or from the Calabrese dialect word "manzu" that means "mansueto" "tame"
Marcello
From the first name Marcello, diminutive of Marco
Marchegiani Marchesani
To indicate someone from the Marche region
Marchese, Marcheselli, Marchesini, Marchesotti, Marchesoni, Marchesani
From the medieval noble title "Marchese" = Marquis
Marchi, Marchetti, Marcolini, Marchioli, Marcolla, Marconati, Marcato, Marchetta, Marchitto, Marchitiello, Marcovich, Marchelli, Marchini, Marcolini, Marcocci, Marcozzi, Marcucci, Marcuzzi, Marconi
From the first name Marco
Marfisi, Marfisa
From the first name Marfisa. Also a character in the Romances of two famous Italian writers: Ariosto and Boiardo
Mariani Mariano Marianelli Marianini
From the first name Mariano, derived from the Latin nickname "Marianus", from the Etruscan name "Marius" or from the adjective marianus, devoted to Mary, mother of Christ.
Marinelli, Marinella, Mariniello, Marinetti, Marinuzzi, Marinolli, Marinotti, Marinoni, Marinato, Marino, Marin, Marinacci
From the surname Marini, derived from the first name Marinus or to indicate someone who lives or works near the "mare" = sea
Mariotti, Mario
From the first name Mario, derived from the Etruscan "maru" = man
Marozzi, Marozzo
From the surname Mari, diminutive of the first name Amari or a nickname used in Southern Italy "amaro, amaru, maru" to indicate an unhappy character
Marra, Marrancone, Marrazzo, Marrazzi
From the name of a place: "marra" = mass of stones
Marrone, Marroni
From the word "marrone" = Guide of Mountains, derived from the name of an ancient population that lived in the Alps: the "Marrones"
Marrucini
From the name of a pre-Roman population that lived in the Chieti area, who with the Samnites gave the origin to the Abruzzese people
Marsi
From the name of a pre-roman population that lived in the Fucino area, who with the Samnites gave the origin to the Abruzzese people
Martelli, Martello, Martellini, Martellotti, Martelloni, Martellani, Martellato
From the word "martello" = hammer, used as a nickname to indicate someone that in war hits strongly or someone that uses the hammer for his job
Martini, Martinelli, Martinotti, Martinoni, Martinenghi
From the first name Martino
Martone, Martoni
From a name of a locality of the Reggio Calabria Province. Also possibly derived from the Greek "murton" = myrthle
Marziani, Marziano, Marciano, Marciani, Marzio
From the latin first name "Martius" = sacred to Mars or from the name of a place as Marzano or Marciano
Marzoli, Marzi, Marzo
From the Roman family name "Marcius"
Masci, Mascio, Masciullo, Masto
From the surname Mastro, derived from the nickname "Mastro" = very good craftsman that knows all the traditional secrets of his job
Maselli, Masi, Masiello, Masillo, Masullo, Masin, Masiol, Mason, Masutti, Masina, Masotti, Massetti
From the first name Maso, abbreviation of Tommaso
Massaro Massari, Massai, Massarelli, Massarini, Massarotto, Massarutti, Massardo, Massarenti
Surname deriving from the job of "massaro", owmer of lands and farms
Massei, Masseo
Variations from the first name Matteo.
Massimini, Massimo, Massimi, Massimino
From the first name Massimo, deriving from Latin Maximus = the greatest
Mastrangelo, Mastrangeli
It is a surname consisting of Mastro (master, a very good craftsman) and Angelo
Mastrocola
Consisting of "Mastro", master, a very good craftsman, and "Cola", deriving from Nicola
Mastrodicasa
Consisting of "Mastro", master, a very good craftsman, and "di casa", of the house
Mastroiacovo
Consisting of "Mastro", master, a very good craftsman and "Iacovo", deriving from the first name Giacomo
Mastromonaco
Consisting of "Mastro", master, a very good craftsman, and "Monaco" = monk
Mastronardi
Consisting of "Mastro", master, a very good craftsman, and the first name Nardi, abbreviation of Leonardo
Mastropaolo
Consisting of "Mastro", master, a very good craftsman, and the first name Paolo
Mastropietro
Consisting of "Mastro", master, a very good craftsman, and the first name Pietro
Matani
From the Latin root "mat" = high place
Mattani
From the dialect word "matta" = multitude, herd, flock, to indicate a numerous family. Or derived from the Latin root "mat" = high place
Mattei, Matteo, Matteis, Mattea, Matteacci, Mattedi, Matteoli, Matteoni, Matteotti, Matteini, Matteucci, Matteuzzi, Matussi, Matucci
From the first name Matteo, derived from the Hebrew "Mattitya", consisting of Mattat = gift and "Ya" for Yahweh = God of Israel, therefore "gift of God"
Mattevi
A surname typical of the province of Trento, derived from a variation of the first name Matteo.
Mattia, Mattich, Mattiello, Mattielli, Mattiuzzi, Mattiussi, Mattioli, Mattioni, Mattiacci, Mattiasso, Mattiassi, Mattiato, Mattiazzi, Mattiazzo, Matussi, Matucci
From the first name Mattia, derived from the Hebrew "Mattitya", consisting of Mattat = gift and "Ya" for Yahweh = God of Israel
Maurizi, Maurizzi, Maurizio, Maurigi, Maurici
From the first name Maurizio, derived from the first name Mauro meaning inhabitant of Mauritania, belonging to the Mauri people
Mazzella, Mazzei, Mazzeo, Mazzea, Mazzi, Mazzia, Mazzilli, Mazziotti, Mazziotto, Mazziotta, Mazzullo
Variations from the first name Matteo
Mazzeschi
Of uncertain etimology, the ending suffix points to a Tuscan (origin of the surname) or Slavic origin. It may derive from a medieval first name Mazzo.
Mazzocchetti, Mazza, Mazzeritto, Mazzetti, Mazzino, Mazzola, Mazzoletti, Mazzotta, Mazzoli, Mazzanti, Mazzoni, Mazzantini
From the verb "ammazzare" = to kill, from which derives the funny nickname "Mazza". Or from the word "mazza" = mace, stick, bat. Or from the German first name "Mazzo, Matzo, Maztolo"
Mecacci, Mecarelli, Mecarini, Mecarozzi, Mecca, Mecchi, Mecci, Mecco, Meccoli, Mechelli, Mecherini, Mechi, Mechini, Meco, Mecocci, Meconcelli, Meconi, Mecozzi, Mecucci, Mecuzzi
From Meco, a common derivative of the first name Domenico, meaning: sacred to God
Melchiorre, Melchiori, Melchiore, Melchior, Marchiorri, Marchionni, Melchionni
From the first name Melchiorre, deriving from the Hebrew name Melkior, consisting of "melek" = king and "or" = light
Meli, Mela, Melo, Melone, Melloni, Melaragno, Melis
From the apple (in Italian mela) tree. Melis is also a Greek surname
Memmo, Memo, Memi, Memoli, Memon
From the first name Memmo, abbreviation of Guglielmo
Mencacci, Mencaglia, Mencarelli, Mencarini, Mencaroni, Mencatti, Mencattini, Mencherelli, Mencherini, Menchetti, Menchi, Menchini, Menci, Menco, Menconi, Mencucci, Mencuzzi
From Meneco or Menco, a hypocoristic of the first name Domenico, meaning: sacred to God
Menga, Mengaldo, Mengani, Mengardi, Mengardo, Mengarelli, Mengarini, Mengariol, Mengaroni, Mengati, Mengato, Mengatti, Mengatto, Menghelli, Menghetti, Menghi, Menghini, Mengo, Mengoli, Mengoni, Mengossi, Mengotti, Mengozzi, Mengucci, Menguzzi
From Mengo or Menego, most common in Northern Italy, a hypocoristic of the first name Domenico
Meni, Menicacci, Menicagli, Menicalli, Menicatti, Menichelli, Menichetti, Menichi, Menichini, Menico, Meniconi, Menicucci
From variations, most common in Northern Italy, augmentative or hypocoristic of Menico, from the first name Domenico
Menigatti
From Menigatto, most common in Northern Italy, an augmentative of Menigo, from the first name Domenico
Menin, Menini, Menon, Menoncin, Menoncini, Menoni, Menotto, Menotti, Menozzi
From variations, most common in Northern Italy, augmentative or hypocoristic of Meno, from the first name Domenico
Menna, Minna
From the word "menna" derived from the Latin word "minna" = briest
Mercante, Mercanti, Mercatante, Mercadante, Mercantelli, Mercantini
From the word mercante = merchant
Merlini, Merlo Merlino
From the word "merlo" = blackbird, used as a nickname and, according to different local traditions, meaning = sly, shrewd
Messina Messana Messineo Messinese Messanelli
From the town of Messina in Sicily
Miani
From the name Emiliano, born in Emilia.
Miccoli, Miccolo
From the surname Menico, derived from the first name Domenico
Micolucci Micheli, Michele Michela Michieli Michiel Michiela Migheli, Mighele, Miceli, Micieli, Micela, Micelli, Micello, Micillo, Micella, Micali, Micale, Micalli, Micallo, Migali, Migale, Miali, Miale, Miai, Megali, Megale, Micheletti, Micheletto, Michieletti, Michieletto, Michelini, Michelino, Michelin
From the first name Michele, derived from the Hebrew name "Micha'el" = who is as powerful and great as God
Michielìn, Michelucci, Micheluzzi, Michelotti, Michelotto, Michelozzo, Micheloni, Michelone, Michielon, Michellacci, Michelazzi, Michelazzo, Michiellazzo, Michelassi, Micheluni, Michelan, Michielun, Michelato, Michellutti, Micalella, Micaletti, Micaletto
From the first name Michele, derived from the Hebrew name "Micha'el" = who is as powerful and great as God
Milia, Milio
From the first name Emilio
Micca, Micco, Miccoli, Miccolis
From variations, most common in Southern Italy, augmentative of Micco, from the first name Domenico
Minganti, Mingardi, Mingardo, Mingarelli, Mingarini, Mingaroni, Mingati, Mingato, Mingazzi, Mingazzini, Minghe, Minghelli, Minghetti, Minghi, Minghinelli, Minghini, Mingo, Mingola, Mingoni, Mingot, Mingotti, Mingozzi, Mingucci, Minguzzi
From Mingo, most common in Northern Italy, a hypocoristic of the first name Domenico
Minco, Mincucci, Mincuzzi, Minichelli, Minichi, Minichiello, Minichini, Minichino, Minico, Minicone
From variations, most common in Northern Italy, augmentative or hypocoristic, of Minico or Minco, from the first name Domenico
Mirco, Mirko, Mirca
From the Slavic first name Mirko
Moffa
Probably from the word "muffa" = mould, used as a nickname
Molinaro, Molinari, Monari, Munari, Mugnai, Molinaroli, Munaretti, Munarini, Munerotto, Muneratti, Munerati, Mugnaini
From the word "mugnaio, molinaro" = miller
Monaco, Monaci, Monico, Monego, Monica, Monaghello, Monacello, Monaghesi, Monachino
From the word "monaco" = monk, derived from the Greek "monos" = unique, alone
Montaldi Montaldo Montalti
From the name of the places: Montaldo and Montalto
Montanaro, Montagna, Montani, Montanarini, Montgnaro, Montagnoni, Montagnini, Montagnani, Montan, Montani, Montagni, Montanelli, Montanari
From the word "montagna" = mountain, to indicate someone that lives in the mountains. Or derived from the name of a place
Monticelli, Monti, Monte, Montelli, Montini, Montecchi, Montesi, Montesano
From the word "monte" = mountain. Coming from the mountain
Morgante Murgante
From the first name Morgante, name made famous by the character of Morgante, a giant in a novel by Luigi Pulci
Moro, Morelli, Moretti, Morini, Morucci, Moruzzi, Morucchio, Moratelli, Morisi, Moratti, Morazzi, Morassutti, Moreschi, Moroni
From the first name and nickname "Maurus" = someone coming from Mauritania, Northern Africa. Or derived from the medieval adjective "moro" = Saracen
Morrone
From the name of the town of Morrone del Sannio, province of Campobasso. Or derived from the word "morro" = rock
Mosca, Moschetto, Moscardo, Moscato, Moscone and variations
Mucci, Muccio
From the first name "Muccio", abbreviation if the first name Giacomo
Murzilli
From the Southern Italy dialect word "mursiellu" = breakfast of farmers; or from the dialect word "murze" = sausage
Musacchio, Muschiacchio, Musacchi, Musacchia
From an Albanian surname "Muzachi" or the Greek surname "Musakis"
Musumeci
Muzzi, Muzi, Muzzio, Muzzarini, Muzzioli, Muzzarelli
From the Latin first name "Mutius or Mucius". It could derived also from a diminutive of Giacomo, Giacomuzzo.
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