Calabrian Surnames

Main contributor: Paola Longa

Calabrian surnames reflect the rich and layered history of southern Italy’s Calabria region. Calabria has been influenced by Greek settlers (Magna Graecia), Byzantines, Normans, Arabs, Spanish, and Albanians (Arbëreshë) because of its location at the tip of the Italian peninsula. The outcome is a blend of Arabic echoes, Latinized forms, Greek-derived names, and descriptive country surnames with a decidedly southern Italian character. Calabrian surnames are often found in diasporic communities in the United States, Australia and Argentina, among others

History of Calabrian surnamesHistory of Calabrian surnames

The region's rich history and many cultural influences—including Greek, Roman, and Norman presence—are reflected in Calabrian surnames. Many surnames have Greek or Latin origins and are derived from place names, professions, or personal traits. Like in all of Italy, Calabria adopted surnames after the tenth and eleventh centuries; although single names were used at first, surnames were gradually adopted as a way to differentiate amongst people who shared the same name. By the tenth and eleventh centuries, hereditary surnames had become more prevalent as a result of this trend. The 16th-century Council of Trent also reinforced the usage of surnames by emphasizing their necessity in official documents.

Calabrian surnames naming conventionsCalabrian surnames naming conventions

Many Calabrian surnames are derived from occupations, origins, or physical traits, and many of them show historical influences from Latin and Greek communities. Surnames that end in -ò, such as those from Calabria and Puglia, are believed to be of Greek origin and frequently signify origin, occupation, or membership. Tripodi, Macrì, Laganà, Foti, Arcuri, Surace, Crea, Spadafora, and Calabrò are a few examples.

Types of Calabrian surnamesTypes of Calabrian surnames

Calabrian surnames of toponymic originCalabrian surnames of toponymic origin

George A. Scigliano, U.S. politician member of the Massachusetts legislature.

These surnames reflect geographic origin or places of family residence—towns, regions, or natural features:

Calabrò – “from Calabria”
Cosentino – “from Cosenza”
Reggio – “from Reggio Calabria”
Rossanese – “from Rossano”
Siclari – possibly from the Siclari district near Reggio
Scigliano – from the town of the same name
Catanzariti – “from Catanzaro”
Amato – may refer to the town or the word “beloved”
Monteleone – “from the mountain lion [hilltown]”
Cardillo – may be toponymic or bird-related (cardellino, goldfinch)

Calabrian surnames of patronymic originCalabrian surnames of patronymic origin

These surnames derive from ancestral male names, often with southern Italian suffixes like -o, -i, or -a:

De Stefano – “son/house of Stefano”
Barillà – likely from Barillo, a diminutive or regional name
Mancuso – from Manco, “left-handed,” also a personal name
Crisafi – possibly Greek-rooted from Christophoros
Licastro – Greek-rooted, possibly from Nikostratos
Papaleo – “father lion,” Hellenic/Byzantine origin
Rizzuto – diminutive of Rizzo, “curly-haired”
Morabito – “son of Morabit,” from Arabic murābiṭ (“holy man”)
Tripodi – Greek-derived (possibly Tripodion, small tripod)
Spirli – from Spiridione, a Greek name

Calabrian surnames of occupational originCalabrian surnames of occupational origin

Reflecting traditional professions in rural or coastal Calabria:

Fabbiano – “blacksmith”
Ferraro – “ironsmith”
Carbone – “coal burner or dealer”
Contadino – “farmer”
Marincola – “mariner,” diminutive form
Bruno – “brown-haired” or possibly linked to leatherwork
Coppola – “cap-maker” or literally “hat”
Sartori – “tailor”
Pastorino – “shepherd”
Vaccaro – “cowherd”

Calabrian surnames of descriptive originCalabrian surnames of descriptive origin

These reflect physical traits, characteristics, or nicknames:

Bianchi – “white” (e.g., hair or skin tone)
Nero – “black”
Gentile – “kind, gentle”
D’Amico – “from the friend”
Forte – “strong”
Greco – “the Greek” (very common, Greek heritage)
Piccolo – “small”
Grande – “large”
Ruffo - someone with red hair
Pugliese – “from Puglia,” possibly a migrant ancestor
Curatolo – “caretaker,” also descriptive of personality

Calabrian surnames of foreign originCalabrian surnames of foreign origin

Due to historical migrations and settlements:

Arcuri – Greek/Byzantine roots (from archēgos, leader)
Giordano – Hebrew origin (Jordan), through Norman influence
Marasco – possibly Arabic or Spanish (from marás, bitter herb)
Musolino – Arabic or Spanish derivation; also a historic brigand name
Scaramuzzino – Spanish influence (escaramuza, skirmish)
Alfieri – originally Germanic (alfiher = “elf army”)
Sinopoli – “from Sinope,” Hellenistic reference
Zappalà – possibly Greek or Sicilian in form, also “hoe-user” (farmer)
Perrone – French-Italian hybrid (“Peter” lineage)
Caridi – likely Hellenic, from charis (grace)

Calabrian surnames of noble originCalabrian surnames of noble origin

Some families had noble status under the Kingdom of Naples or local feudal lords:

De Nobili – “of the nobles”
Spinelli – a noble Calabrian family
Alimena – ancient family in Cosenza
Ruffo - one of the most ancient lineages of Italy, dating back to Roman times
Pignatelli – aristocratic house spread in southern Italy
Perri – common noble or landholding surname
Mazza – “mace,” also used symbolically in nobility
Campisi – landowners or court officials
Scopelliti – noble origins near Locri
Serra – associated with gentry and officials
Fera – from ferus, “wild,” possibly noble metaphor
Cigala - surname of Spanish origin, linked to a feudal family that held territory in Genoa, Sicily, Turkey, and Calabria

Most common Calabrian surnamesMost common Calabrian surnames

Celebrities with Calabrian surnamesCelebrities with Calabrian surnames

Stanley Tucci - American actor who has played a wide variety of roles ranging from menacing to sophisticated, earning numerous accolades, including six Emmy Awards and two Golden Globe Awards, along with nominations for an Academy Award, a BAFTA Award, and a Tony Award.
Donatella Versace - Italian fashion designer, businesswoman, socialite, and model. She is the sister of Gianni Versace, founder of the luxury fashion company Versace.
Iolanda Cristina Gigliotti, professionally known as Dalida - Egyptian-born Italian naturalized French singer and actress, famous for the songs "Salma ya salama," "Monday, Tuesday... Laissez-moi danser," and "Paroles, paroles"
Dario Cirisano - Russian ice dancer of Italian descent, winner of the gold medal at the Winter Youth Olympics in 2020
Valeria Mazza - Argentinian top model
Rino Barillari - Italian photographer, often referred to as "The King of Paparazzi"
Gabriella Cilmi - Australian pop singer and songwriter
Erminio Blotta - Italian-born Argentine self-taught sculptor
Renato Dulbecco - Italian–American virologist who won the 1975 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine for his work on oncoviruses,
Mauricio Macri - Argentinian politician, former president of Argentina
Javier Milei - Argentinian economist, current president of Argentina

Explore more about Calabrian surnamesExplore more about Calabrian surnames

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References

↑ Most Common Last Names In Calabria

[1] Most Common Last Names In Calabria

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