Calabria Exchange  

Posted by: Italian Surname Database in ,


For the last few years we have been extracting records from various Comuni in the province of Reggio Calabria.  We have also been linking the actual images of births, marriages and deaths whenever possible.

This of course has not been an easy task as we are currently a non profit site.  But thanks to the wonderful volunteers who have provided records and assistance who have made it much easier.

If you would like to help with this project, please contact us through here or on the Calabria Exchange.  We could use all the help we can get!

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Updated Surname Database  

Posted by: Italian Surname Database in

I added about 50 new surnames to the database this morning including:

  • Canvil
  • Fazzolari
  • Fida
  • Ferroggiaro
  • Grizzuti
  • Grizzuto
  • Guido
  • Iannino
  • Grimani
  • La Grua
  • Lamentia
  • La Pilusa
  • Larosa
  • Luisi
  • Luppino
You can search the Italian Surname Database  to make connections with others who are researching your family name. Includes surnames from Argentina, Reggio Calabria, Cosenza, Venuto, Sicily and many more.

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Surnames of Orphans  

Posted by: Italian Surname Database in , ,

Specific surnames were most commonly given to children who were orphans, illegitimate, or foundlings such as Esposito meaning exposed or Trovato, meaning found which identified the child for life as an abandoned child.  This often caused shame and embarrassment to the child.  After the Unification in 1865, this practice was no longer allowed.

Other common foundling names include:
Benvenuto - Welcome
Conforte - Comforted
Salvati - Saved
Brutto - Ugly
Sventura- Unfortunate
Aflitto - Afflicted

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Italian Surnames: Ethymology and Origin  

Posted by: Italian Surname Database in , ,

One site that offers a lot of interesting information about Italian Surnames and how they came to be is Italy World Club.  They have broken down the origins of surnames by several categories such as Patronymics, Toponymics, Occupational, Nicknames, and Surnames of Foundlings. 

The SURNAME, also called FAMILY NAME, is nowadays added to an original or baptismal name, inherited and held in common by members of a family. The Italian word "cognome" comes from the Latin "cum nomine", something that accompanies the name. In antiquity no surnames were used, then for the first time in ancient Rome the use of the tria nomina ...

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Top 20 Italian Surnames in Italy  

Posted by: Italian Surname Database in , ,

According to an article in http://italian.about.com/od/italianculture/a/aa111704a.htm, written by , the top 20 surnames in Italy appear below. I have also included the meaning for each as well as alternate spellings.  Russo and Rossi seem to be the most common.


ROSSI - A red-haired or ruddy-complexioned individual, derived from the nickname "rosso," meaning ' red.' Most common in northern Italy. Surname Origin: Italian
Alternate Surname Spellings: ROSSO, ROSSA, RUSSI, RUSSO, RUGGIU, RUBIU, ROSSELLI, ROSSELLO, ROSSELLINI, RISSIELLO, ROSSILLO, ROSSETTI, ROSSETTO, ROSSETTINI, ROSSITTI, ROSSITTO, ROSSINI, ROSSINO, ROSSOTTI, ROSSOTTO, ROSSINI, ROSSONE, ROSSUTO, RUSSELLO, RUSSINO, RUSSOTTI, RUSSOTTO, RUSSIANI, RUSSOLILLO

RUSSO - This southern Italian variation of the ROSSI surname which means "red-haired or ruddy-complexioned individual." Derived from the nickname "rosso," meaning ' red.' Surname Origin: Italian
Alternate Surname Spellings: ROSSI, RUSSELLO, RUSSINO, RUSSOTTI, RUSSOTTO, RUSSIANI, RUSSOLILLO

FERRARI- An occupational surname from the Italian word "ferraro," meaning 'blacksmith" - originally derived from the Latin ferrum meaning "iron." The Italian equivalent of the surname SMITH. Surname Origin: Italian
Alternate Surname Spellings: FERARI,

ESPOSITO - A last name commonly given to children in Italy (prior to its unification in 1861) who were abandoned or given up for adoption by their parents. From the Latin "expositus," the past participle of the Latin verb "exponere," which means 'to place outside.' Especially prevalent in the Naples region of Italy. Surname Origin: Italian
Alternate Surname Spellings: ESPOSTI, ESPOSTO, ESPOSTI, DEGLI ESPOSTI,

BIANCHI - From "bianco," meaning 'white,' this surname was often given to a person who was white-haired or had a very light complexion. Surname Origin: Italian
Alternate Surname Spellings: BIANCA, BIANCO, BIANCHESSI, BIANCHETTI, BIANCHINI, BIANCIOTTI, BIANCOLINI, BIANCONCINI, BIANCOTTO

ROMANO - The Italian form of "Romanus," the Latin word for 'Rome,' this popular Italian surname was often used to denote someone from Rome, Italy. Surname Origin: Italian
Alternate Surname Spellings: ROMANI

COLOMBO - From the word "colombo," meaning 'dove,' Colombo was a name often given to a dove keeper. Surname Origin: Italian
Alternate Surname Spellings: COLOMBANI, COLOMBERA, COLOMBINI, COLOMBRINO

RICCI - Derived from the Italian adjective" ricco," meaning 'curly,' RICCI and its variations are a nickname for someone with curly hair. Surname Origin: Italian
Alternate Surname Spellings: RICCIO, RIZZI, RIZZO, RIZZA, RISSO, RICCELLI, RICCIARELLI, RICCETTI, RICCINI, RICCIOLI, RICCIOLINO, RICCIULLI, RICCIOTTI, RICCIONI, RICCIUTO, RICCERI, RICCITIELLO, RIZZELLO, RIZZIELLO RIZZETTI, RIZZETTO, RIZZINI, RIZZOLI, RIZZOLA, RIZZOTTI, RIZZONI, RIZZONE, RIZZARI, RIZZATO, RIZZIERI, RIZZUTI, RISSOLO

MARINO - Derived from the Latin word "marinus," meaning 'of the sea,' the Marino and Marini surnames indicate someone who lives or works near the 'mare,' or sea. Surname Origin: Italian, Spanish
Alternate Surname Spellings: MARINI, MARIN, MARINELLI, MARINELLA, MARINIELLO, MARINETTI, MARINUZZI, MARINOLLI, MARINOTTI, MARINONI, MARINATO, MARINACCI

GRECO - Someone who originates from Greece. Surname Origin: Italian
Alternate Surname Spellings: GRIECO, GRECI, GRECHI, GREGO

BRUNO - From the Italian word for "brown," Bruno was, a nickname for a person with brown hair, skin, or clothes. From the German "brun," meaning dark, brown. Surname Origin: Italian
Alternate Surname Spellings: BRUNI, BRUNA, BRUNAZZI, BRUNELLO, BRUNERI, BRUNONE, BRUNORI

GALLO - From the Latin "gallus," meaning 'cock, rooster,' this was a nickname for a proud person, especially one with a "cocky" or vain attitude. Surname Origin: Italian, Spanish
Alternate Surname Spellings: GALLI, GALLETTI, GALLINI, GALLONI, GALLUCCI

CONTI - From the Old French "conte", meaning count, it denoted a person who worked for a count (noble) or was possibly himself a count. Surname Origin: Italian
Alternate Surname Spellings: CONTE, CONTIELLO

DE LUCA - A patronymic surname meaning "son of Luca." The given name Luca is the Italian version of Luke, from the Greek name Loukas meaning "from Lucania," a region in Italy. Surname Origin: Italian
Alternate Surname Spellings: DI LUCA, DILUCA

COSTA - Meaning "coast" or "riverbank," this surname denoted a person who lived by a river or the sea. Surname Origin: Italian, Spanish, Portugese
Alternate Surname Spellings: DA COSTA, DI COSTA, DE COSTA

GIORDANO - The Italian form of the name Jordan, this surname has its roots in "Yarden," the Hebrew name of the Jordan river flowing between the countries of Jordan and Israel. Derived from "yarad," meaning 'descend' or 'flow down.' Surname Origin: Italian
Alternate Surname Spellings: GIORDANI

MANCINI - From the Italian word "manco," meaning 'left-handed.' Surname Origin: Italian
Alternate Surname Spellings: MANCINO, MANCINELLI

RIZZO - A variant of the common Italian surname RICCI, which is derived from the Italian adjective" ricco," meaning 'curly.' In other words, a nickname for someone with curly hair. Surname Origin: Italian
Alternate Surname Spellings: RICCI, RICCIO, RIZZI, RIZZA, RISSO, RICCELLI, RICCIARELLI, RICCETTI, RICCINI, RICCIOLI, RICCIOLINO, RICCIULLI, RICCIOTTI, RICCIONI, RICCIUTO, RICCERI, RICCITIELLO, RIZZELLO, RIZZIELLO RIZZETTI, RIZZETTO, RIZZINI, RIZZOLI, RIZZOLA, RIZZOTTI, RIZZONI, RIZZONE, RIZZARI, RIZZATO, RIZZIERI, RIZZUTI, RISSOLO

LOMBARDI - A geographical surname for someone who came from Lombardy, a region in Italy which got its name from the Lombards, a Germanic tribe who invaded in the 6th century. Surname Origin: Italian
Alternate Surname Spellings: LOMBARDO, LOMBARDINI, LOMBARDELLI

MORETTI - 1- Derived from a diminutive of the given name Mauro, the Italian form of Maurus, meaning "dark-skinned" or used to refer to someone coming from Mauritania in northern Africa. 2- Possibly derived from the word "morro" meaning 'rock.' Surname Origin: Italian
Alternate Surname Spellings: MORETI, MORO, MORELLI, MORINI, MORUCCI, MORUZZI, MORUCCHIO, MORATELLI, MORISI, MORATTI, MORAZZI, MORASSUTTI, MORESCHI, MORONI

 Unfortunately, the article does not site sources which is disappointing.

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Italian Surname Database  

Posted by: Italian Surname Database in , ,

Italian Surname LogoThe Italian Surname Database lists hundreds of surnames and contacts for those looking to connect with others researching the same names. To submit your surname to the site, use the feedback form. Include your Surname, Town, Province and Region in Italy you are researching, the name you wish to be known as and a valid email address where you can be contacted.

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Exploring the History and Meanings of Italian Surnames  

Posted by: Italian Surname Database in ,

One of the best articles I have read about Italian Surnames was the Life in Italy website and written by By Elizabeth Walling.  A piece extracted from the article follows below.

Delving into the research of surnames, also known as last names or family names, is an exciting way to learn more about your family history. When researching Italian surnames, you will quickly find that each family name in Italy was formed for a particular purpose. Italy has always been known for its lively and extraordinary land and people, and Italian names exhibit these same qualities.

In the age of ancient Rome, individuals were named in three parts. These parts included a basic first name, a name in which a person's family was identified, and also a unique name that described that individual. 

Read the original article...

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Italian Surname Locator  

Posted by: Italian Surname Database in , , ,


Some of you may recognize this site as the one used by Susan Sarandon on Who Do You Think You Are which aired April 24, 2010.  You plug in your Italian Surname and it will show you the concentration of the surname in various regions throughout Italy.  An excellent resource for beginners and seasoned researchers alike.
http://gens.labo.net/en/cognomi/

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