Surnames from Women's First Names
These began as 'daughter of', 'wife of' or devotional names: Maria, Lucia, Chiara and more.
- D'AnnaOf Anna (Hannah), 'grace'; a woman's name.
- D'AgataOf Agata (Agatha), 'good'; a woman's name.
- Di Maria'Of Maria (Mary)'; a woman's name.
- De Maria'Of Maria (Mary)'; a woman's name.
- Di LenaOf Lena, a short form of Maddalena or Elena.
- Di ChiaraOf Chiara (Clare), 'bright, clear'.
- Di Rosa'Of Rosa (Rose)'; a woman's name.
- De RosaDescriptive: 'of Rosa'; possibly a gardener or a rosy complexion.
- La RosaDescriptive: 'the rose'; flower or a woman's name.
- RosaPersonal name or nickname: rose.
- Della Rosa'Of the rose'; also from the name Rosa.
- De LuciaOf Lucia (Lucy), 'light'.
- Di LuciaOf Lucia (Lucy), 'light'.
- MaddalenaFrom Maddalena (Magdalene), 'woman of Magdala'.
- AnnunziataAnnunciation; Christian religious name.
- NunziataShort form of Annunziata, after the Annunciation.
- CostanzaFrom Costanza (Constance), 'constant, steadfast'.
- CaterinaFrom Caterina (Catherine), 'pure'.
- Di Giovanna'Of Giovanna (Joan)'; a woman's name.
- MargheritaFrom Margherita (Margaret), 'pearl'; also the daisy.
- LetiziaFrom Letizia, 'joy, gladness'.
- Di Gioia'Of Gioia'; from the name or word for 'joy'.
- Di Grazia'Of Grazia'; from the name or word for 'grace'.
- Di Stella'Of Stella'; from the name or word for 'star'.
- Di Fiore'Of the flower'; or from the personal name Fiore.
Flower, Jewel & Virtue Surnames
Soft, bright names taken from flowers, gems and good qualities.
- StellaNickname/personal name: star.
- LunaFrom 'luna': moon.
- PerlaPearl; a nickname or woman's name.
- GemmaFrom Gemma: 'gem, jewel'.
- GioiaJoy; from the name or word 'gioia'.
- GraziaGrace; from the name or word 'grazia'.
- SperanzaHope; from the name or word 'speranza'.
- FortunaLuck, fortune.
- PaceFrom 'pace': peace; auspicious or given name.
- ViolaViolet; the flower or the colour.
- ColombaDove; a gentle or peaceful person.
- PalmaPalm; a pilgrim's palm, or a place name.
- PrimaveraSpring; possibly born in spring.
- BellaBeautiful; a nickname or woman's name.
- Di BellaNickname: 'of the beautiful one'.
- SerenaSerene, calm.
- VittoriaVictory; from the woman's name.
- GiglioLily; a flower, also the emblem of Florence.
- GigliLilies; the flower.
- GarofaloFrom 'garofano': carnation; nickname or grower.
- FioreFrom 'fiore': flower; nickname or personal name.
- FioriFrom 'fiori': flowers.
- FioriniDiminutive of Fiore; little flower, also florin coin.
- RosatiFrom Rosa: rose; or a rose-colored person.
- AlbaDawn; a woman's name or place name.
- GelsominoJasmine; the flower.
- GhirlandaGarland, wreath.
- PapaveroPoppy; the flower.
- DolceDescriptive: sweet, gentle.
Surnames Ending in -A
In Italian, words ending in -a are usually feminine, so these names sound feminine to most readers.
- FontanaTopographic: fountain, spring; lived near a well.
- RoccaTopographic: fortress, rock.
- CostaTopographic: coast, slope or hillside; also 'rib'.
- RivaTopographic: shore, riverbank.
- SerraTopographic: mountain ridge; saw.
- VillaTopographic: country house, estate.
- SalaTopographic/occupational: hall, manor.
- PiazzaTopographic: square, town plaza.
- SpinaTopographic/nickname: thorn.
- FarinaOccupational: flour; miller or flour seller.
- ColonnaTopographic: column; a noble Roman family.
- CoronaCrown; a nickname or place name.
- VignaVineyard; topographic.
- PortaGate; lived near a city gate.
- ChiesaChurch; geographic/occupational.
- RotaNickname: wheel; wheelwright.
- SicaNickname: dagger; or from southern place.
- LanzaOccupational/nickname: lance; a soldier.
- SpadaOccupational/nickname: sword.
- MazzaNickname/occupational: mace or club.
- TestaNickname: head; stubborn person.
- ScarpaNickname/occupational: shoe; shoemaker.
- ZuccaNickname: pumpkin; bald or round head.
- FavaOccupational: broad bean; grower or seller.
- GambaNickname: leg; long-legged person.
- GuerraNickname: war; warlike person.
- CacciaHunting/hunter; occupational or nickname.
- SelvaForest, woods; topographic.
- MontagnaMountain; topographic.
- CapraGoat; nickname/occupational.
- PecoraSheep; a nickname or shepherd.
Surnames from Women's Titles & Roles
Names from queens, ladies, countesses and women of the church.
- ReginaQueen; a nickname, woman's name, or role in a pageant.
- DonnaLady, woman; also a title of respect.
- ContessaCountess; a noble title.
- BadessaAbbess; head of a convent.
- MonacaNun.
- Madonna'My lady'; a title for the Virgin Mary.
Surnames of Famous Italian Women
Names carried by well-known Italian women in science, literature and film.
- MontessoriItalian surname; specific historical etymology is uncertain.Maria Montessori, educator
- DeleddaSardinian surname; specific historical etymology is uncertain.Grazia Deledda, Nobel Prize in Literature
- FallaciItalian surname; specific historical etymology is uncertain.Oriana Fallaci, journalist
- LollobrigidaItalian surname; specific historical etymology is uncertain.Gina Lollobrigida, actress
- MagnaniOccupational: locksmith or tinker.Anna Magnani, actress
- CardinaleTitle: cardinal, a church dignitary.Claudia Cardinale, actress
- BellucciDiminutive of Bello: handsome, beautiful.Monica Bellucci, actress
- AgnesiPatronymic or diminutive family form; exact ancestral name varies by region.Maria Gaetana Agnesi, mathematician
- MoranteItalian surname; specific historical etymology is uncertain.Elsa Morante, novelist