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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