There are over 300,000 Italian surnames and the origins are really very interesting. Have you ever thought about the origin of your Italian name? If so, I’d like to recommend the book “Our Italian Surnames” by Joseph G. Fucilla. While this book does not list all 300,000 Surnames, it does give us great insight into the evolution of both given names and surnames.
Our Italian Surnames covers every fact of Italian names and naming practices. It is here we discover, for example, that Bussolari is Italian for compass, Orsini means bear, and Passalacqua stands for butterfly. Besides given names and the evolution of Italian surnames, the book contains chapters devoted to pet names, botanical names, geographical names, bird names, insect names, occupational names, and more. Written for a popular audience, each chapter of the book is a separate and informative unit in itself. Complete with a list of sources and an index of more than 7,500 names, Our Italian Surnames is a monument to the late Professor Fucilla’s lifelong interest in the language and names of Italia.
Catch a quick idea about the book in the podcast below.
Podcast
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What Are The Top Ten Italian Surnames
Did you know that there are over 300,000 Italian surnames! That’s more than any other country in the world. We have complied the top ten below. Chances are that your name is not in this group, but for those interested in learning more, the book above list 7,500. More importantly, we get great insight into the origin of surnames and given names. Click on the photo and enter IR2020 at checkout for a 20% discount.
Best Italian Surname Search
Best Italian Surname Search is an update from a our previous post from March 3. Updated with some new information. I attempted to find mostly free ones, but a couple may ask for sign up. This is a really cool site as it gives the origin for your name, also variations and popularity in the US — Behind the Name This is a pretty neat one as it shows the map of Italy with the
On to Calabria: Scenic Drives, and Feasting in a Cave
Click here to join out Facebook group Best-Laid Plans and Italian Train Realities We started our fifth day in Italy with another wonderful breakfast at the hotel, full of excitement because we had a free morning planned. The highlight was supposed to be a long-awaited reunion with Antonia, an old friend from grammar school who moved to Italy seven years ago. We had been planning this meet-up for weeks, but just as we were finishing
Capri: Navigating Lines, Finding Budget Bites, and Farewell Naples
Click here to join out Facebook group From Chaos at the Dock to the Island of Capri Day 4 kicked off with another delicious, relaxing breakfast at our hotel before we boarded a short bus ride down to the port to catch the ferry to Capri. Arriving at the port was typical Italian chaos—where lines are treated more as a gentle suggestion than a strict requirement! Thankfully, Phil Micali from Phil~italy had everything completely under
Beyond Naples: The Granduer of Caserta Palace and a Vesuvius Wine Tasting Experience
Click here to join out Facebook group The Grandeur of the Royal Palace of Caserta We kicked off Day 3 with a delightfully relaxing breakfast at the hotel, soaking in a slower morning. While the rest of our tour group headed off to Pompeii at 10:00 AM, we decided to venture out on our own. Having already visited Pompeii twice before, we set our sights on a grand monument we’d been eager to experience: the
Naples Unlocked: Family Palazzos, Ancient Tombs, and Pizza with Cousins
Click here to join out Facebook group Naples Day 2: Reunions, Noble Ancestry, and a Walk Through History Here we are on day two in Naples! Still feeling a bit jet-lagged, but nothing could dampen our excitement for today: we were finally reuniting with my cousins, Nicola and Nadia. After a wonderful breakfast at the Hilton, we took a taxi over to Hotel Alabardieri in another lively neighborhood of Naples. We arrived around 9:30 AM,
From Ancestral Palazzos to €8 Feasts: Our Unforgettable First Day in Naples
Click here to join out Facebook group Returning to Roots in Naples: Ancestral Palazzos, Sacred History & an Unforgettable €8 Lunch There is a unique kind of electricity in the air when you touch down in Naples early in the morning. The city wakes up with a roar—scooters zooming through narrow stone alleys, the scent of espresso drifting from open cafe doors, and history echoing off every wall. But for me, this trip wasn’t just
The Reality of Getting Italian Citizenship While Living in Italy
Learn the practical steps for getting Italian citizenship while living in Italy and connecting with your family heritage. Navigating the process of obtaining Italian citizenship requires a deep understanding of both legal requirements and your own family history. This video breaks down how residency and ancestry intersect for those currently living in Italy. We look at the documentation needed to verify your claim and the practical reality of managing your application while abroad. Whether you
