Italian last names...
- Thread starter rh71
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Abe Froman
Golden Member
- Dec 14, 2004
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While Italian last names come from a variety of sources, each Italian region has adopted some types more than others with different spelling variations. For example, the common Italian surnames Risso and Russo both have the same meaning, but one is more prevalent in northern Italy, while the other traces its roots to the south. Italian surnames ending in -o usually come from southern Italy, whereas in northern Italy they can often be found ending with a -i. Tracking down the sources and variations of your Italian surname is an important part of Italian genealogical research and unveils an important part of your family history and Italian heritage.
Suffixes & Prefixes
Many Italian surnames are basically variations on a root name, made different by the addition of various prefixes and suffixes. Especially common are endings with vowels enclosing double consonants (e.g. -etti, -illo).The Italian preference for diminutives and pet names is the root behind many of the suffixes, as seen by the large number of Italian last names ending in -ini, -ino, -etti, -etto, -ello, and -illo, all of which mean "little." Other commonly added suffixes include -one meaning "big," -accio, meaning either "big" or "bad," and -ucci meaning "descendant of." Common prefixes of Italian surnames also have specific origins. The prefix "di" (meaning "of" or "from") is often attached to an given name to form a patronym. di Benedetto, for example, is the Italian equivalent of Benson (meaning "son of Ben") and di Giovanni is the Italian equivalent of Johnson (son of John). The prefix "di," along with the similar prefix "da" may also be associated with a place of origin (i.e the da Vinci surname referred to someone who originated from Vinci). The prefixes "la" and "lo" (meaning "the") often derived from nicknames (e.g. Giovanni la Fabro was John the smith), but also might be found attached to family names where it meant "of the family of" (e.g. the Greco family might become known as "lo Greco.")
Alias Surnames
In some areas of Italy, a second surname may have been adopted in order to distinguish between different branches of the same family, especially when the families remained in the same town for generations. These alias surnames can often be found preceded by the word detto, vulgo, or dit.
It sounds as though almost all end in vowels...Article from about.com
Suffixes & Prefixes
Many Italian surnames are basically variations on a root name, made different by the addition of various prefixes and suffixes. Especially common are endings with vowels enclosing double consonants (e.g. -etti, -illo).The Italian preference for diminutives and pet names is the root behind many of the suffixes, as seen by the large number of Italian last names ending in -ini, -ino, -etti, -etto, -ello, and -illo, all of which mean "little." Other commonly added suffixes include -one meaning "big," -accio, meaning either "big" or "bad," and -ucci meaning "descendant of." Common prefixes of Italian surnames also have specific origins. The prefix "di" (meaning "of" or "from") is often attached to an given name to form a patronym. di Benedetto, for example, is the Italian equivalent of Benson (meaning "son of Ben") and di Giovanni is the Italian equivalent of Johnson (son of John). The prefix "di," along with the similar prefix "da" may also be associated with a place of origin (i.e the da Vinci surname referred to someone who originated from Vinci). The prefixes "la" and "lo" (meaning "the") often derived from nicknames (e.g. Giovanni la Fabro was John the smith), but also might be found attached to family names where it meant "of the family of" (e.g. the Greco family might become known as "lo Greco.")
Alias Surnames
In some areas of Italy, a second surname may have been adopted in order to distinguish between different branches of the same family, especially when the families remained in the same town for generations. These alias surnames can often be found preceded by the word detto, vulgo, or dit.
It sounds as though almost all end in vowels...Article from about.com
Scarpozzi
Lifer
- Jun 13, 2000
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All I have to say is that when I was in Italy last month, it sucked trying to find street names on a map cause they all ended in vowels and looked alike. (started with the letter v and ended in i mostly. Confusing stuff...I assume most names would be like that too.
-Ryan
-Ryan
LOL rh71 those are definately Italian players... Buffon is only the goalkeeper for the national team.
Meaning they don't have Italian last names. There are Italians without Italian last name. For all we know Donadel came from an Irishman who moved to Italy. Buffon used to be Buffonelli but was shortened at some point. Perhaps they are even "stage names" so to speak.
And it's not like you have to be Italian to play for the Italian national team.
Excellent question! I'm checking with all of my Italian bfs. They're so seeeeeeeexy.... Checking....
moshquerade
No Lifer
- Nov 1, 2001
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I knew this chick in high school. She was Italian, no question about it, and her last name was Johnson. I suppose they took the English version or something? 
Here's a link for you to read: Italian Surnames. This link says that they often end with vowels, so I suppose that means not all end with vowels. It didn't give an example that didn't end with a vowel though.
Okay, this person explains it: Vowels in Italian Last Names. Apparently, it's a dialect thing. The Northerners tend to drop the vowels at the end. Yay, try Pavan! It's Italian! Even though it's a variant.
Here's a link for you to read: Italian Surnames. This link says that they often end with vowels, so I suppose that means not all end with vowels. It didn't give an example that didn't end with a vowel though.
Okay, this person explains it: Vowels in Italian Last Names. Apparently, it's a dialect thing. The Northerners tend to drop the vowels at the end. Yay, try Pavan! It's Italian! Even though it's a variant.
What can I say! ... when you've had so many of the bfs in the past, and you forget the current number.Originally posted by: moshquerade
how many Italian bfs do you have?
bigdog1218
Golden Member
- Mar 7, 2001
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Stage names? And yes you have to be a citizen of Italy with Italian heritage to play on the national team. I guess I can say there are non american americans with non american last names playing for our national team, or would that just sound stupid.
In case my post is cluttered, I got an example for you to show to your wife. It's a real example: Pavan. Do a check on it if you want to be sure. It's Italiano!
I met a girl whose last name is Petrucci. You know, like the virtuoso guitar god John Petrucci of Dream Theater? I told her we're going to get married and that I'm taking her last name.
Not that my comment had anything to do with this thread.
Not that my comment had anything to do with this thread.
moshquerade
No Lifer
- Nov 1, 2001
- 61,504
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good answer :thumbsup:Originally posted by: DearQT
I knew this chick in high school. She was Italian, no question about it, and her last name was Johnson. I suppose they took the English version or something?
Here's a link for you to read: Italian Surnames. This link says that they often end with vowels, so I suppose that means not all end with vowels. It didn't give an example that didn't end with a vowel though.
Okay, this person explains it: Vowels in Italian Last Names. Apparently, it's a dialect thing. The Northerners tend to drop the vowels at the end. Yay, try Pavan! It's Italian! Even though it's a variant.
What can I say! ... when you've had so many of the bfs in the past, and you forget the current number.Originally posted by: moshquerade
how many Italian bfs do you have?
i knew you liked those Italians
Snapster
Diamond Member
- Oct 14, 2001
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Ok. However, I'll tell you that those 3 players are Italian born and breed, two of them at least for a few generations, rather than argentine passport stealers. This is just semantics, but someone could have moved into Italy 10 generations ago with a non Italian name and it could now be incorporated. For example name such as Mason, Baccarin, Tonon are quite common are typical names just of the Veneto region in Italy, Mason probably isn't of Italian origin who to say the other two are. Never the less they are heavily used.
It's the same in any country. This topic was titled, Italian last names. Not 'traditional Italian origin' names. I gave a few examples of common Italian names, which was immediately shunned at. How far back is enough to draw the line at? 200 years, 500, 1000 ? I suppose any derived Italian names aren't good enough either.
Vidal: Italian Patronymic name from Vitale, popular name among Italians professing their early Christian faith.
Baldoin, Sablun, Abram,Chanaz,Pascolat,Pascot,Angelantonij,De Lutiis,De Propertis,De Vincentis,De Benedictis,De Vitis, De Thomasis,Di Acetis,De Iulius, Di Vincetiis. etc
If this was posted earlier I would've asked my Italian friend at work for more.
Then the thread is moot because someone named Smith could have immigrated from England to Italy in the 17th Century and now there is an entire clan of genuinely Italian Smiths.
So in that regard, there are obviously countless "Italian" last names that do not end in vowels even though they are actually surnames from other cultures that have been transplanted or modified. Question answered; end of thread.
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