Origin and Etymology of Italian Surnames: from An‑ to Az‑

The list includes a possible, or accepted, etymology of many Italian surnames from An‑ to Az‑, as well as, if relevant, their geographical or historical origin and current distribution.

Alphabetical Index

[ Ab ] [ An ] [ B ] [ C ] [ Da ] [ De ] [ Dia ] [ Din ] [ Do ] [ E ] [ F ] [ G ] [ I ] [ J ] [ L ] [ M ] [ N ] [ O ] [ P ] [ Q ] [ R ] [ S ] [ T ] [ U ] [ V ] [ Z ]

Anastasi, Anastasio

Patronimic, from the Greek name Anastasios.

Ancilotto

From Lancellotti; it derives from the name of Lancelot, knight of the Round Table, name diffused in 13th century.

Andrea, André, Andreani, Andreasi, Andreatta, Andreazza, Andreazzi, Andrei, Andreini, Andrenacci, Andreotti, Andreoletti, Andreoli, Andreoni, Andretti, Andreutti, Andriani, Andrich

From the first name Andrea, deriving from the Greek name Andreas, transformation of the Greek word "anér" = man.

Anelli, Anello, Anielli, Aniello

From the word "anello" = ring, or from "agnellus" meaning lamb.

Angeletti, Angeli, Angelini, Angelo, Angelone, Angeloni, Angiolini, Angiolo

Patronimic, from the first name Angelo.

Annibale, Annibali, Annibaldi, Anniballo, Anniballi

Patronimic, from the first name Annibale, derived from the Punic (Phoenician) Hannibal.

Annuncio, Annunzia, Annunziata, Annunziato, Annunzio

Patronimic, from the name Annunzio, diminutive of Annunziato that comes from the female name Annunziata. It is a Christian name deriving from Maria Santissima Annunziata.

Ansaldi, Ansaldo

Patronimic, from the Lombard first name Ansoaldo.

Anselmi, Anselmo, Anzelmi, Anzelmo

Patronimic, from the Lombard first name Anselmo consisting of ans (god) ed helm (helmet), meaning God's helmet, or defender.

Ansovini, Ansovino, Anzovini, Anzovino

Patronimic, from the Lombard name Ansovino, consisting of ans (god) e win (friend).

Antenucci, Antenuccia, Antenuccio, Antognazzi, Antognozzi, Antona, Antonacci, Antonazzi, Antonazzo, Antonelli, Antoni, Antoniani, Antoniazzi, Antonicelli, Antonini/O, Antonioli/O, Antonione, Antonioni, Antoniotti/O, Antoniozzi

From the first name Antonio and its derivations Antonuccio, Antonello.

Antinori

Patronimic, from the Greek first name Antinore.

Antoci

Possibly toponimic, meaning from Antiochia.

Antola, Antolini, Antolino

Either toponimic, from the area of Mount Antola in Liguria, or a patronimic derived from a diminutive form of the name Antonio.

Apolloni, Apollonio, Appollonio, Appolloni

From the first name Apollonio.

Apugliese

It derives from the name of the Puglia region; it means inhabitant of Puglia.

Aquila, Aquili

Originary of Aquila, capital city of Abruzzo, or nickname connected to the bird (eagle).

Arcaini, Arcari, Arcarini, Arcaro

From the name of a job, arcaro being a craftsman who made wooden container for bread (arca) or for valuables.

Arcangela Arcangelo Arcangiolo

From the first name Arcangelo; it derives from the Greek word "archangelos" = leader of Angels.

Arcellaio, Arcellai, Arcelli, Arcellone, Arcelloni

Probably derived from the craft of bow-maker.

Arcieri

Ardemagni, Ardemani, Ardemanni

From the german name Ardemanno consisting of hard (strong) and mann (man).

ARDIGO&Rsquo;

Probably from the German name Ardigo, derived from hard (strong).

Ardini, Ardino, Ardovini, Ardovino, Arduini, Arduino

Patronimic, from the German Hardwin, Arduino, consisting of hard (strong) e win (friend).

Ardizzi, Ardizzone, Ardizzoni

Patronimic, from the German name Arditio (coming from hard).

Arena, Areni

Toponimic, from "arena" meaning sandy land.

Armagni, Armani, Armanini, Armanni, Armanno, Armano

All derived from Arimanni ("free men"), a noble class of the Lombard people.

Armelli, Armellini and variations

Armenti, Armento

Possibly connected to sheep raising, being armento a flock.

Arpini, Arpino

Toponimic, from the town of Arpino in Lazio.

Arrigo, Arrigoni, Endrigo, D'errico and variations

Ascanio

From the first name Ascanio.

Ascensa, Ascenso, Ascenza, Ascenzo

From the first name Ascenso; it is a name connected to the Christian devotion to the Christ "Ascension".

Astolfi, Astolfo, Astolfoni

From the first name Astolfo, of German origin.

Astore, Astori

From the name of the bird (goshawk) used by hunters in the Middle ages, possibly derived from aprofession of bird trainer or a physical/psychological trait.

Atanasi, Atanasio, Attanasi, Attanasio

Patronimic, from the Greec name Athanasios meaning immortal.

Attilio

From the Etruscan first name Attilio.

Augustoni

See AGOSTINI.

Aulerio, Aulo

From the first name Aulo.

Aura

From the first name Auro.

Auregli, Aureli, Aurelio

From the first name Aurelius, of Latin origin.

Aurino, Aurizio, Auro

From the first name Auro.

Aurora

Origin unknown, possibly metronimic (derived from a mother's name), or from a coatofarms representing a rising sun, or a nickname of good omen.

Avaldi, Avalli, Avallone

Possibly toponimic from an Italic "abel" or Celtic "aval" (apple) (see the mythical Avalon).

Avogadro, Avogadri, Avogari, Avogaro

Probably derived from the profession of "avvocato", lawyer.

Azzali, Azzari

Probably derived from the profession of steel maker, or maker of axes (aza = axe).

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