Unique Italian Last Names: Rare & Uncommon Surnames With Meanings
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Unique Italian Last Names

Uncommon, unusual and distinctive Italian surnames, sorted by type, each with its meaning.

You won't see these on every list. Some are unusual in meaning, some belong to a single island or region, and some are simply short, long or built with a prefix. They're a good place to look if you want a surname for a character, a project or your family research that isn't Rossi or Russo.

"Unique" here means uncommon, not one of a kind. Many of these names are still carried by thousands of families.

Surnames with Unusual Meanings

Names that literally mean something surprising.

  • QuattrocchiNickname: 'four eyes'; spectacled.
  • BevilacquaLiterally “drink water”; a traditional nickname.
  • Mangiapane'Bread eater'; a nickname.
  • TagliaferriOccupational: 'iron cutter'; ironworker.
  • TagliabueOccupational: 'ox cutter'; butcher.
  • PanebiancoOccupational: 'white bread'; baker.
  • MalatestaNickname: 'bad head'; stubborn.
  • OcchipintiNickname: 'painted eyes'; Sicilian.
  • Pelagatti'Skin cats'; a vivid nickname, exact origin debated.
  • Squarcialupi'Tear the wolves'; a boastful or heroic nickname.
  • Boccadifuoco'Mouth of fire'; a nickname for a loud or hot-tempered person.
  • Tiraboschi'Pulls woods'; probably a woodcutter or logger (Lombard).

Sicilian Surnames

Distinctive names from Sicily's mix of Greek, Arab, Norman and Spanish history.

  • ZappalàSicilian surname; specific historical etymology is uncertain.
  • SciortinoSicilian: possibly 'fortunate'; uncertain.
  • IncardonaSicilian surname; specific historical etymology is uncertain.
  • RapisardaSicilian, from Rapi (Rapisardi); origin uncertain.
  • CrisafulliSicilian surname; likely of Greek origin. Exact etymology is uncertain.
  • VizziniToponymic: from Vizzini, Sicily.
  • GeraciToponymic: from Gerace (Calabria) or Geraci Siculo (Sicily).
  • CusimanoSicilian form of Cosimo.
  • NicosiaToponymic: from Nicosia, Sicily.
  • MessineoToponymic: from Messina, Sicily.

Sardinian Surnames

Names from Sardinia, which keeps many forms found nowhere else in Italy.

  • SannaSardinian: specific etymology uncertain.
  • MelisSardinian surname; specific historical etymology is uncertain.
  • CossuSardinian surname; specific historical etymology is uncertain.
  • LaiSardinian surname; specific historical etymology is uncertain.
  • PirasSardinian surname; likely from 'pira' (pear).
  • PintusSardinian surname; specific historical etymology is uncertain.
  • AtzoriSardinian surname; etymology varies by source.
  • MameliSardinian surname; specific historical etymology is uncertain.Goffredo Mameli wrote the words of Italy's national anthem
  • PoddaSardinian surname; specific historical etymology is uncertain.
  • MurgiaPossibly from 'murgia', a rocky limestone plateau (Puglia, Sardinia).

Short & Punchy Surnames

Just a few letters, easy to say and hard to forget.

  • IzzoShort form of Isidoro, or from Isaia.
  • RaoSurname of southern Italy; origin uncertain.
  • SicaNickname: dagger; or from southern place.
  • ZitoSicilian: 'young man'; unmarried youth.
  • FotiSouthern surname of Greek origin (from Photios, 'light').
  • PepeNickname: pepper; or short form of Giuseppe.
  • RotaNickname: wheel; wheelwright.
  • MeleOccupational/nickname: apple; fruit seller.
  • RivaTopographic: shore, riverbank.
  • SalaTopographic/occupational: hall, manor.

Long & Dramatic Surnames

Big, sweeping names with plenty of presence.

  • ImpellizzeriOccupational: furrier or skinner.
  • GambardellaItalian surname; specific historical etymology is uncertain.
  • AbbagnaleItalian surname; specific historical etymology is uncertain.
  • MastroianniOccupational: 'master Gianni' (John).
  • MastrangeloOccupational: 'master Angelo'.
  • CannavacciuoloCampanian surname; specific historical etymology is uncertain.Known today through chef Antonino Cannavacciuolo
  • SantangeloToponymic: from Sant'Angelo; saint's place.
  • PellegriniReligious/travel: pilgrims.

Surnames with Prefixes

Names built with De, Di, Del, Della, La or Lo.

  • Dalla ChiesaTopographic: 'from the church'.
  • Dall'AcquaTopographic: 'from the water'; northern Italy.
  • Della RoccaTopographic: 'from the fortress'.
  • Della ValleTopographic: 'from the valley'.
  • Del VecchioNickname: 'of the old one'.
  • Del BiancoNickname: 'of the white one'; fair-skinned or light-haired.
  • La BarberaOccupational: the barber.
  • Lo PiccoloDescriptive: 'the small one'.
  • Lo PrestiOccupational: 'the priest'; Sicilian.
  • Di MaioPatronymic of Maio, from Maius (May); possibly born in May.
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