The -i ending typically indicates a plural form, originally showing family association. This ending is most common in central and northern Italy. Examples include:

• Rossi (red-haired family)
• Bianchi (white-haired family)
• Romani (from Rome family)

This pattern developed because in Italian, the suffix -i makes nouns plural (e.g., “rosso” becomes “rossi”). It indicated “family of” the original bearer.

“Di” and “de” mean “of” or “from” and indicate several possible origins:

• Geographical: Di Napoli (from Naples), De Luca (from Luca)
• Patronymic: Di Giovanni (son of Giovanni)
• Occupational: Di Pietro (Pietro’s worker)

In modern usage, these prefixes are often merged with the main name (Di Giovanni → Digiovanni). Contrary to popular belief, they don’t necessarily indicate nobility.

Italian marriage name traditions have evolved but generally follow these patterns:

1. Traditional: Wife takes husband’s surname (still most common)
2. Modern option: Wife keeps maiden name (increasingly popular)
3. Double name: Wife adds husband’s name (e.g., Rossi Bianchi)
4. Children’s names: Typically take father’s surname

Since 1975, Italian women aren’t required to change names. Some couples combine names creatively, though this isn’t legally recognized as a new surname.

Here are the top 10 most common Italian surnames with their meanings:

1. Rossi – Red (originally for red hair, ~1 in 150 Italians)
2. Russo – Red (southern variant of Rossi)
3. Ferrari – Blacksmith (from “ferro” meaning iron)
4. Esposito – Exposed (for foundlings in Naples)
5. Bianchi – White (for light hair/complexion)
6. Romano – From Rome
7. Colombo – Dove (symbol of peace)
8. Ricci – Curly-haired
9. Marino – Of the sea
10. Greco – Greek (southern Italian origin)

These names are so common that in many Italian towns, you’ll find multiple unrelated families sharing them. Regional variations exist – for example, Russo dominates in the south while Rossi is more common in the north.

Sicilian surnames have distinct characteristics due to the island’s complex history:

• Arabic influence: Names like Sammut, Cassar, and Zappa
• Greek influence: Names ending with -ò (Costanzo, Filippo)
• Occupational: Spadaro (sword maker), Cannizzaro (reed worker)
• Descriptive: Piccolo (small), Grasso (fat)
• Unique prefixes: Lo/La (Lo Presti, La Rosa)

Many Sicilian surnames reflect the island’s agricultural past (Vigneri – vine grower) or Norman French influence (De Luca, Di Stefano). The name “Salemi” comes from the Arabic “Salam” meaning peace.

Italian immigrants often modified their surnames for various reasons:

• Simplification: Di Giovanni → Giovanni
• Anglicization: Bianchi → White, Russo → Russell
• Spelling changes: Esposito → Exposito
• Shortening: Delvecchio → Del
• Misrecording: Officials often wrote names phonetically

Some changes were voluntary to fit in, while others were imposed by immigration officials. Many families later reverted to original spellings, while others kept the modified versions.

Italy has many fascinating rare surnames that reveal historical quirks:

Many unusual names come from medieval nicknames that described peculiarities. Some rare names have fewer than 100 bearers in Italy today.