In this article, we will take a look at the most common last names in each region of Italy. Rossi was by far the most common surname in Italy, followed by Russo, Ferrari, Esposito, Bianchi, Romano, Colombo, Bruno, Ricci, and Marino. However, there is a huge variation in the most frequent last names in different regions and provinces.
There are over 350,000 Italian surnames in existence, each formed from a unique name, such as a toponym, patronymic, nickname, trade name or color name, that was given to a family to distinguish it from others in a social group. The multitude of spelling variations and Italian linguistic heritage, composed of various Romance and non-Romance languages, contribute to the vast diversity of Italian surnames. Some surnames are prevalent in specific geographical and linguistic regions. A small percentage of surnames in Italy have foreign origins, such as French, Spanish, and German, or indicate foreign ancestry, reflecting the various migrations and dominions that have occurred throughout history. In addition to Italy, Italian surnames are commonly found in countries that received a significant amount of Italian emigration during the late 19th century and early 20th century, such as Argentina, Uruguay, Brazil, and the United States. In Europe, they are particularly prevalent in regions with historical, geographical, or linguistic ties to Italy, such as Canton Ticino, Corsica, Malta, Nice, Istria, and Dalmatia.
It’s important to note that the data in question pertains to households rather than individuals. To estimate the number of individuals, it is typically necessary to multiply the number of households by a factor of 2.5. The first table shows the 50 most common surnames in Italy. Second, their variation in every region of the country.