This list includes 36 Italian last names that start with A, from “Accardo” to “Avogadro”. These surnames often come from personal names, places, or occupations, useful for genealogy, writing, and regional research.
Italian last names that start with A are family names across Italy, often reflecting ancestry, place, or trade. For example, “Avogadro” gained global recognition through chemist Amedeo Avogadro in the early 19th century.
Below you’ll find the table with Surname, Meaning / Origin, Region / Variants, and Notable people.
Surname: The family name as commonly spelled in Italy; use it to find exact entries and spelling variants.
Meaning / Origin: A concise etymology and literal meaning, helping you understand linguistic roots and historical and social origins.
Region / Variants: Notes the Italian regions where the name is most common and lists spelling or dialectal variants you may encounter.
Notable people: Names of well-known bearers with brief roles and dates, allowing you to link surnames to historical figures.
Italian last names that start with A
| Surname | Etymology/Meaning | Region/Origin | Notable people (1–3) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Accardo | From Germanic personal name Accard, “bold, brave” | Southern Italy (Calabria, Sicily) | Salvatore Accardo — violinist — born 1941 |
| Accorsi | From medieval personal name Accorso (patronymic) | Emilia-Romagna, Lombardy | Stefano Accorsi — actor — born 1971 |
| Acerbi | From Latin acerbus “harsh, bitter” (nickname) | Lombardy, Emilia-Romagna | Francesco Acerbi — footballer — born 1990 |
| Acerbo | From Latin acerbus “young, harsh” (nickname) | Abruzzo, Central Italy | Giacomo Acerbo — economist/politician — 1888–1969 |
| Acquaviva | Toponymic, “living water” (acqua viva), noble house | Apulia (Puglia), Sicily | Claudio Acquaviva — Jesuit superior general — 1543–1615 |
| Agnelli | From agnello “lamb” (diminutive/pet name) | Piedmont (Turin) | Gianni Agnelli — industrialist — 1921–2003; Giovanni Agnelli — industrialist — 1866–1945; Umberto Agnelli — industrialist — 1934–2004 |
| Agostini | Patronymic from Agostino (Augustine) | Lombardy, Northern Italy | Giacomo Agostini — motorcycle racer — born 1942 |
| Alberti | From Germanic Albert “noble-bright” (personal name) | Tuscany (Florence) | Leon Battista Alberti — polymath — 1404–1472 |
| Alessi | From given name Alessio (Alexius) | Sicily, Lombardy | Alberto Alessi — industrialist/designer — born 1935 |
| Alfieri | From alfiere “standard-bearer” (occupation) | Piedmont | Vittorio Alfieri — dramatist — 1749–1803 |
| Alfano | From given name Alfonso/Alfano | Sicily, Southern Italy | Angelino Alfano — politician — born 1970 |
| Alighieri | Likely patronymic from Alighiero (medieval personal name) | Tuscany (Florence) | Dante Alighieri — poet — c.1265–1321 |
| Amaldi | From Germanic Amal- root (“work/valor”) | Central Italy (Lazio/Tuscany) | Edoardo Amaldi — physicist — 1908–1989; Ugo Amaldi — physicist — born 1934 |
| Amato | From Latin amatus “beloved” | Southern Italy (Campania) | Giuliano Amato — politician — born 1938 |
| Amidei | From medieval personal name Amideus/Amideo (patronymic) | Tuscany, Lazio | Sergio Amidei — screenwriter — 1904–1981 |
| Ammaniti | Likely from southern patronymic or local root | Calabria, Lazio | Niccolò Ammaniti — novelist — born 1966 |
| Ancelotti | Diminutive/patronymic of Anselmo (given name) | Emilia-Romagna | Carlo Ancelotti — football manager — born 1959 |
| Andreini | Patronymic of Andrea (son/descendant of Andrea) | Tuscany, Venice | Isabella Andreini — actress/writer — 1562–1604 |
| Andreotti | Diminutive/patronymic from Andrea | Lazio (Rome) | Giulio Andreotti — politician — 1919–2013 |
| Antinori | From personal name Antonius/Antonio; noble Florentine family | Tuscany (Florence) | Piero Antinori — winemaker — born 1939 |
| Antognoni | Derived from a form of Antonio (patronymic) | Umbria, Tuscany | Roberto Antognoni — footballer — born 1954 |
| Antonelli | Patronymic from Antonio (diminutive) | Lazio, Lombardy | Laura Antonelli — actress — 1941–2015 |
| Antonioni | Patronymic from Antonio (given name) | Emilia-Romagna (Ferrara) | Michelangelo Antonioni — film director — 1912–2007 |
| Appiani | From Appiano (toponym) or Latin Appianus | Lombardy | Andrea Appiani — painter — 1754–1817 |
| Ariosto | From medieval personal name Ariosto (possibly meaning “brave”) | Emilia-Romagna (Ferrara) | Ludovico Ariosto — poet — 1474–1533 |
| Ascari | From Germanic Ascar/Asker (personal name) or occupational roots | Lombardy, Emilia-Romagna | Alberto Ascari — racing driver — 1918–1955 |
| Ascoli | Toponymic from Ascoli (Piceno/Marche) | Marche, Abruzzo | Giulio Ascoli — mathematician — 1843–1896 |
| Astori | From astore “goshawk” (nickname) or hunting reference | Lombardy, Northern Italy | Davide Astori — footballer — 1987–2018 |
| Atzeni | Sardinian patronymic or local root | Sardinia | Andrea Atzeni — jockey — born 1991 |
| Auriemma | From Latin Aurelius/Aure- “golden” (patronymic) | Campania, Southern Italy | Geno Auriemma — basketball coach — born 1954 |
| Avellino | Toponymic from town Avellino (Campania) | Campania | Andrea Avellino — saint/cleric — 1521–1608 |
| Avogadro | From medieval avogadro “advocate” (law officer) | Piedmont (Turin) | Amedeo Avogadro — scientist — 1776–1856 |
| Armani | From given name Armando/Arman (Germanic origin) | Emilia-Romagna (Piacenza) | Giorgio Armani — fashion designer — born 1934 |
| Arpino | Toponymic from Arpino (Lazio) or nickname | Lazio | Giovanni Arpino — writer — 1927–1987 |
| Arcuri | Likely southern Italian (Calabrian) origin, possibly Greek substrate | Calabria, Southern Italy | Domenico Arcuri — manager/commissioner — born 1963 |
| Altieri | From medieval personal name Altiero/family name of noble origin | Lazio (Rome) | Emilio Bonaventura Altieri — Pope Clement X — 1590–1676 |
Descriptions
Accardo
Southern surname often Calabrian; known through violinist Salvatore Accardo. Variants include Accardi.
Accorsi
Common in northern-central Italy; actor Stefano Accorsi raised its modern profile. Variants: Accorsio.
Acerbi
Widespread in northern Italy. Often a nickname-based surname; present in sports and public life.
Acerbo
Central-southern surname with historical figures; remembered for Giacomo Acerbo and the “Acerbo Law.”
Acquaviva
Old southern aristocratic name tied to towns like Acquaviva. Noble branches and clerical notables.
Agnelli
Iconic Piedmontese industrial dynasty (Fiat). Name evokes elite Turin history and business power.
Agostini
Common patronymic surname across Italy; famed thanks to champion motorcyclist Giacomo Agostini.
Alberti
Historic Tuscan family; Leon Battista Alberti symbolizes Renaissance humanism and architecture.
Alessi
Widespread surname; linked to the Alessi design firm and crafts in northern Italy.
Alfieri
Aristocratic Piedmontese name, associated with the dramatist Vittorio Alfieri and military/ceremonial origins.
Alfano
Common in southern Italy, notably Sicily; held by contemporary politicians and public figures.
Alighieri
Famous Florentine surname due to Dante. Rare outside literary and historical contexts.
Amaldi
Scientific surname, best known in physics circles for Edoardo Amaldi and descendants.
Amato
Very common southern surname meaning “beloved.” Bearers range from politicians to artists.
Amidei
Old Italian family name, prominent in film history via screenwriter Sergio Amidei.
Ammaniti
Modern literary surname; Niccolò Ammaniti brought contemporary recognition to the name.
Ancelotti
Northern-Italian patronymic well known internationally through manager Carlo Ancelotti.
Andreini
Historic commedia dell’arte family name; Isabella Andreini is a notable Renaissance actress and writer.
Andreotti
Prominent in 20th-century Italian politics; surname common in central Italy.
Antinori
Historic Tuscan merchant and wine-producing family, internationally known in oenology.
Antognoni
Tuscan/Umbria surname familiar from Fiorentina legend Roberto Antognoni.
Antonelli
Widespread Italian surname with many regional branches; known in cinema and the arts.
Antonioni
Associated with Ferrara and auteur cinema; Michelangelo Antonioni is internationally celebrated.
Appiani
Northern Italian surname tied to art and local place-names; Andrea Appiani was a noted neoclassical painter.
Ariosto
Famous thanks to Ludovico Ariosto; surname evokes Renaissance literature and the Ferrara court.
Ascari
Northern surname known in motor sport through two-time world champion Alberto Ascari.
Ascoli
Place-derived surname common around Ascoli Piceno; linked to scholars and professionals.
Astori
Likely nickname-based, tied to northern Italy; remembered for defender Davide Astori.
Atzeni
Distinctly Sardinian surname; Andrea Atzeni is a successful contemporary jockey.
Auriemma
Campanian surname that crossed into the U.S.; Geno Auriemma is a celebrated coach.
Avellino
Directly tied to the town of Avellino; seen among clerical and local families.
Avogadro
Classic Piedmontese surname; Amedeo Avogadro is a foundational figure in chemistry.
Armani
Northern-Italian surname globally recognized thanks to designer Giorgio Armani.
Arpino
Derived from the town of Arpino; connected to writers and local families.
Arcuri
Common in Calabria; borne by business and public-sector figures in recent years.
Altieri
Roman aristocratic name with papal and noble associations; notable in 17th-century Vatican history.