Top 10 most common Sicilian surnames

Sicily, in its surnames, is the reflection of the encounter of languages and cultures, and in every province, there are some that represent specifically that certain location. We have for example Giuffrida, Grasso and Caruso in Catania, then we have Ferrante, Giordano and Marino in Palermo or Rizzo, Romano and Gambino in Trapani.
The origins of Sicilian surnames derive mainly from names (what we call the patronymics) but also from professions, nicknames and places of origin. In the first group, we have various surnames such as Orlando, Di Stefano, Di Salvo, Giuffrida, Di Mauro and Leonardi. Some of our surnames are linked to the Middle Ages, mainly those who are “wishing” you something, such as Bongiorno (Buongiorno – Goodmorning), Bonasera (Buona Sera – good evening), Bonfiglio (Buon Figlio – Good Son), Bonsignore (Buon Signore – Good Lord);
Other surnames, as we said earlier are connected to certain professions: Maniscalco, Cannizzaro, Cavallaro, Finocchiaro, Spadaro and Spataro, Balistreri, Ferraro, Cammareri. some others are referred to nicknames: Quattrocchi (four-eyes, someone with glasses!), Mancuso(as Mancino – left-handed), and Pappalardo (someone quite greedy!). Very commons are the surnames that are connected to a place of origin like Calabrese (from Calabria), Puglisi (from Puglia), Catalano (from Catalunya), Provenzano (from Provence), Genovese (from Genova) and Tarantino (from Taranto), while some others have the exact name of one of the Sicilian provinces.
The majority of the most common Sicilian surnames reflect the various presences that have taken place over the centuries in Sicily: therefore, we recognize surnames of Greek and Byzantine, Latin, Arabic, Norman, Germanic, central-north Italian, Albanian, Spanish, etc..
But now let’s have a look to the 10 most common Sicilian surnames in Sicily!
1. Russo
Dialectal nickname related, probably, to the reddish color of the hair or the parent’s complexion.
2. Messina
Related to the town of Messina.
3. Caruso
From the Sicilian dialectal word caruso which means “boy, apprentice”. In Sicily the “carusi” are the young workers of the earth or of the sulfur mines.
4. Lombardo
Originating from the medieval Italian-Germanic name Lombardo which means “man with a long beard” and the nickname indicating the regional or ethnic origin (of the Lombards).
5. Marino
From the Roman cognomen Marinus or from the adjective marinus (from the sea) , and, according to some academics, from praenomen Marius.
Keep Reading the most common Sicilian surnames>>
My maiden name is Amodeo and my grandparents were from Termini Imerese.
Oh my gosh, SAME! I went to see family in Termini in 2019, my cousin just went this year in 2024!
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I was told by someone living in Catania that my maiden name “Colloca” is a common name in Catania. Can anyone elaborate. ???
What about the name vasta ? Can you tell me of it’s origin?
My grandfather was born in Palermo and his surname was Liggio. Does anyone know anything about that mame
What about Basco? What origin is it from?
Massimino, Louie Forti, and L are the 2 family names. Was able to trace Lo Forti to Rome. But Massimino only from Palermo & Agrigento? Anywhere else from the Northern Africa or Arabia?
Grandparents Cangelosi & Greco Came From Marineo & Castelli & Trimboli Came From Milazzo
Just found this post , mio cugino
I NEVER see anyone who spells their name the same as we do. I’m Genesa Garofalo Metcalf, M.D. and I live in Louisiana. My grandmother was a Jimalva. From Vicari.
What about the names :Caliva and Caporina? I believe they were pronounced
Callava( from Piana Degli Albanese) Caporima(from Santa Christiana Gela)
My maiden name was Massimino, my Paternal Grandfather was raised in Paleremo. I would sincerely appreciate any info! Thank you.
What about Argento?
“Sicilians are Sensational” we had relatives from Alcamo but mainly from Napoli and Campania region
Badalamenti?
We are planning a Sicily visit to our relative homeland of Racalmuto. I have been reading about the area and found some shops/businesses with the same last name!! We don’t speak italian and I was thinking of calling those businesses, is this a proper thing to do?
Carpei Diem Michael. Familia is like the wind, it is but a vapor. Seize the day my brother. Make haste! The only thing we have to fear is fear of finding out that we are not related, but that does not mean you can not make friends. The bond of a friend is a commonality, and the name from which you originate is the same of those in Racalmuto. God is the ultimate Father so, do not let pride, prejudice or anything negative to block your quest for a positive relationship with your kin. Famiglia o per, siamo tutti figli di Dio. Vivere con successo pisano. Ciao, Gilancarlo Family, Anaheim, Ca July 3, 2025 (Two Years After This Posting, Hope You Made The Trip). Please post your findings.
My husbands mother came from Guiliani (sp).? Most common name is Musso. Name was posted all over town theater, stores, etc
Musso most common and famous name in Giuliana (?) sp. Sicil
2nd time I’m posting. I don’t see it
Surname Scarpinati
My maternal grandparents were from Catania. The name was Spina. It could have been a shorter version of a longer name.
Does anyone have info on Angelo palmeri bflo mafia boss, relationship to Teresa,Dominick Palmeri etc.
How about LOGUIDICE?
LoGiudice here
Any ideas about Ilàrdo or Bentivegna?
All Sicilian
My father was a Benedetto Trapani. From agrigento. Any of his family still living? Thank you!
How do I find out our original family name? We were assigned the name Messina because that was the last thing the officials heard at Ellis Island: “Guiseppe Michaele di Messina”. “Ok, Mr Messina!”
My grandmother and family were from Besiquino and their name was Pelfanio.
Relatives of Gaetano Ruggeri, Guiseppina Ruggeri, Paul Salvo, Francesco Salvo. Looking for relatives I think around Messina Eastern Messina
There’s a lot more last names in sicily
Buffa Lotta Gucciardi Gucciardo Conforto, Grillo, Crimi, Grasso Grassa, Martese, shaccitanno shana, so many more
My ancestry is from Misilimeri Sicily a suburb of Palermo.
My Grandparents came from Raffadali, last name Margliano, but I believe spelled Margliano