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.
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 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
In this episode, Michael Fattorossi shares his 20-year journey of researching his Italian family roots, restoring a historic palazzo in Vasto, and navigating Italy’s bureaucratic system as a digital nomad. Discover insights into Italian history, real estate, and practical tips for expats and travelers. Beyond the physical repairs, this project represents a deep connection to Vasto Italy and the stories that define our lineage. Whether you are currently conducting your own Italian genealogy research or
Click here to join out Facebook group Morning Coastal Views and Heading North After fueling up with a superb breakfast at the Grand Hotel Baia Verde, we boarded the bus for a highly anticipated day trip to Taormina, one of Sicily’s most dazzling clifftop jewels. As we drove along the coastline, our guide, Valentino, kept us entertained and informed with a rich history of the region. Frame after frame, Mount Etna continued to steal the
Click here to join out Facebook group A Morning Departure and a Brilliant Detour After a quick breakfast and some last-minute packing, we loaded up the bus and prepared for the long trek south to Catania, Sicily. But this wasn’t just a simple travel day—we had a fantastic bonus built into the itinerary! Having visited the area several years ago, I had suggested to Phil from Phil~italy that we make a detour to Scilla on
Click here to join out Facebook group Winding Mountain Roads and Arriving on the Coast We set off from Lamezia Terme for a roughly two-hour drive down to the famous coastal town of Tropea. Most of the journey was smooth sailing along the autostrada, but as we neared the coast, the road gave way to a dramatic series of twists and turns, winding right down the mountainside toward the Tyrrhenian Sea. It was a hot,
Click here to join out Facebook group A Relaxed Morning in Lamezia Terme We took full advantage of a free morning in Lamezia Terme by taking a leisurely stroll down the main high street. Wandering in and out of local shops is always one of the best ways to get a feel for everyday Italian life. Along the way, we stumbled upon Italy’s equivalent of a dollar store—and, naturally, we couldn’t resist going in! We
Click here to join out Facebook group Artisanal Heritage at Lanificio Leo We knew Day 6 was going to be action-packed right from the start! We kicked off the morning with a 60-minute scenic bus ride through the mountain landscapes to Soveria Mannelli to visit Lanificio Leo. Lanificio Leo is a remarkable 150-year-old historic wool mill that has been lovingly revived by the original owner’s grandson. Before exploring the facility, we watched a fascinating RAI
https://youtu.be/g01F_gHb8q0 In this episode, Michael Fattorossi shares his 20-year journey of researching his Italian family…
Click here to join out Facebook group Morning Coastal Views and Heading North After fueling…
Click here to join out Facebook group A Morning Departure and a Brilliant Detour After…
Click here to join out Facebook group Winding Mountain Roads and Arriving on the Coast…
Click here to join out Facebook group A Relaxed Morning in Lamezia Terme We took…
Click here to join out Facebook group Artisanal Heritage at Lanificio Leo We knew Day…