This list includes 71 Italian last names that start with M, from “Mancini” to “Mussolini”. Many are patronymic, occupational, or toponymic and help with genealogy, historical research, and creative naming.
Italian last names that start with M are family names beginning with M, often reflecting jobs, places, or ancestors. Notably, names like “Mussolini” can signal regional roots or historical prominence.
Below you’ll find the table with Surname, Meaning, Notable people, and Region/Variants.
Surname: The family name as used historically and today, presented so you can locate the specific entry quickly.
Meaning: Concise etymology or literal meaning that helps you understand origins and why the surname developed.
Notable people: Short list of notable individuals with dates and roles to help you connect names to historical figures.
Region/Variants: Typical regional distribution and common spelling variants so you can trace local roots and alternatives.
Italian last names that start with M
| Surname | Meaning | Origin/Etymology | Region(s) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mancini | Little left-handed one | Patronymic from nickname “Mancino” | Lazio; Marche; Emilia‑Romagna |
| Mancuso | From the shy/left‑handed one | Nickname or descriptive surname | Calabria; Sicily |
| Manfredi | Manfred’s descendant | Patronymic from given name Manfred | Emilia‑Romagna; Campania |
| Manzoni | From “manzo” (young bull) | Nickname or occupational origin | Lombardy |
| Manzini | Son of Manzino | Patronymic from personal name | Lombardy; Tuscany |
| Mariani | Son of Mario/Marius | Patronymic from given name Mario | Lombardy; Veneto; Emilia‑Romagna |
| Mariano | Of Marius / from Mario | Patronymic or given‑name derivative | Campania; Calabria |
| Marino | Of the sea or from Marino | Toponymic or nickname from ‘marinus’ | Campania; Lazio; Sicily |
| Marini | Descendant of Marino | Patronymic from Marino | Tuscany; Lazio; Marche |
| Marchi | From ‘marchio’ or borderer | Occupational/toponymic or nickname | Emilia‑Romagna; Tuscany |
| Marchetti | Little marcher / from Marche | Toponymic (Marche) or diminutive | Marche; Emilia‑Romagna; Tuscany |
| Marchesi | From marquis (title) | Nickname from noble title “marchese” | Lombardy; Emilia‑Romagna |
| Marchese | Marquis; noble association | Nickname from feudal title | Sicily; Campania; Calabria |
| Marchionni | Little marquis | Diminutive of Marchione/Marchese | Tuscany; Lazio |
| Martini | Of Martin / little Martin | Patronymic from Martinus | Lombardy; Emilia‑Romagna; Tuscany |
| Martinelli | Little Martin | Patronymic diminutive of Martin | Lombardy; Tuscany |
| Martelli | Of Martel / hammer | Patronymic or occupational | Tuscany; Lazio |
| Martino | Of Martin | Patronymic or devotional name | Campania; Calabria |
| Moretti | Little dark one / Moor | Nickname from “moretto” (dark) or Moor | Lombardy; Emilia‑Romagna; Veneto |
| Morelli | Little Moor | Diminutive of Moro/Moresco | Lazio; Campania; Tuscany |
| Morello | Dark one; little Moor | Nickname referring to complexion | Piedmont; Lombardy |
| Mori | Dark, Moorish | Nickname from “Moro” | Tuscany; Emilia‑Romagna; Sardinia |
| Morandi | From Moro / dark | Patronymic or nickname | Emilia‑Romagna; Lombardy |
| Moroni | Dark one; plural form of Moro | Nickname or patronymic | Lombardy; Veneto |
| Moro | Dark, Moor | Nickname from “Moro” | Veneto; Friuli; Sicily |
| Mosca | Fly or from Mosca (Moscow) | Nickname or toponymic | Sicily; Campania |
| Moscato | Muscate; sweet like musk | Nickname related to muscat wine/grape | Sicily; Calabria |
| Musso | Ox or from Mosso place | Nickname (strong) or toponymic | Piedmont; Liguria |
| Mussolini | From Mussolo or nickname | Nickname-derived patronymic | Emilia‑Romagna |
| Monti | Hills, mountains | Toponymic from “monte” | Lombardy; Emilia‑Romagna; Lazio |
| Montanari | Highlander, mountaineer | Occupational/toponymic “of the mountain” | Emilia‑Romagna; Veneto |
| Montagna | Mountain | Toponymic | Campania; Calabria; Veneto |
| Montemurro | Dark mountain | Toponymic from place “Montemurro” | Basilicata; Calabria |
| Montella | Small mountain | Toponymic or diminutive | Campania; Lazio |
| Molinari | Miller’s family | Occupational from “molina”/mill | Lombardy; Piedmont |
| Molinaro | Miller | Occupational from “molinaro” | Campania; Calabria; Abruzzo |
| Molino | Mill; miller | Occupational/toponymic | Veneto; Lombardy |
| Molteni | From the mill town Molteno | Toponymic or occupational | Lombardy |
| Mola | Stone mill or small hill | Toponymic or occupational | Puglia; Campania |
| Messina | From the city of Messina | Toponymic | Sicily; Calabria |
| Mazzini | From ‘mazza’ (club) or little mace | Nickname or occupational | Lombardy; Liguria |
| Mazza | Mallet, club | Occupational/nickname | Lombardy; Veneto |
| Mazzola | Little mallet or occupational | Diminutive of Mazza | Lombardy; Piedmont |
| Mazzoni | Son of Mazzo/Mazza | Patronymic | Tuscany; Emilia‑Romagna |
| Mazzone | Big mallet or son of Mazza | Patronymic/nickname | Campania; Lazio |
| Mazzei | From ‘macer’ or maker of oil | Occupational or toponymic | Tuscany; Lazio |
| Mazzucco | Stoneworker or big mallet | Nickname/occupational | Piedmont; Liguria |
| Maselli | From “Maso” (Thomas) | Patronymic diminutive | Lazio; Campania |
| Masini | Little Tom / son of Maso | Patronymic diminutive | Tuscany; Emilia‑Romagna |
| Mastronardi | Master of the ship or craftsman | Occupational composite (“mastro” + name) | Abruzzo; Lazio |
| Massaro | Steward, bailiff | Occupational from Latin ‘massarius’ | Campania; Sicily |
| Massari | Collector, manager | Occupational | Lombardy; Veneto |
| Medici | Physicians or the Medici family | Occupational or dynastic | Tuscany (Florence) |
| Meloni | From ‘melo’ (apple tree) | Toponymic or nickname | Sardinia; Sardegna; Lazio |
| Melis | Apple‑grower or from Melo | Toponymic/nickname | Sardinia; Sicily |
| Merlo | Blackbird | Nickname from “merlo” | Lombardy; Veneto |
| Merola | Little blackbird | Diminutive of Merlo | Campania; Lazio |
| Mercanti | Merchant | Occupational | Tuscany; Lazio |
| Mercurio | Messenger or Roman god Mercury | Nickname or occupational | Sicily; Calabria |
| Meroni | From Merone or Meroni region | Toponymic or patronymic | Lombardy |
| Merli | Blackbirds (plural) | Nickname from ‘merlo’ | Emilia‑Romagna; Veneto |
| Merlini | Little Merlo | Diminutive form of Merlo | Lombardy; Tuscany |
| Messori | From Messere or commerce | Occupational | Tuscany; Emilia‑Romagna |
| Minelli | Little Mino (given name) | Patronymic diminutive | Lombardy; Veneto |
| Minetti | From Mino; little one | Patronymic diminutive | Lombardy; Veneto |
| Milani | Of Milan or from ‘milan’ | Toponymic or demonymic | Lombardy (Milano) |
| Milano | From Milan | Toponymic/demonymic | Lombardy |
| Micheli | Son of Michele | Patronymic from Michele | Veneto; Tuscany |
| Michelini | Little Michele | Diminutive patronymic | Tuscany; Lazio |
| Micheletti | Little Michele | Diminutive patronymic | Veneto; Lombardy |
| Miele | Honey or sweet | Nickname from “miele” | Campania; Sicily |
Descriptions
Mancini
Very common central-Italian surname. Variants: Mancino, Mancina. Widespread in civil records. Notable: Roberto Mancini (football manager, 1964–).
Mancuso
Typical of southern Italy, especially Calabria and Sicily. Variants: Mancusi. Often traced to medieval nicknames; several clans in Reggio Calabria.
Manfredi
Historic noble and royal roots. Variants: Manfredo. Appears in medieval records; artistic and military bearers historically.
Manzoni
Famous from Alessandro Manzoni (author). Variants: Manzón, Manzoniere. Concentrated in Lombardy; literary associations.
Manzini
Northern variant of Manzoni. Variants: Manzino, Manzinetti. Found in Emilia and Tuscany.
Mariani
Very common; variants Mariani, Mariano. Patronymic with many unrelated families. Notable bearers across arts and politics.
Mariano
Widespread southern variant; also used as given name. Variants: Mariani. Found in Campania and Sicily.
Marino
Dual origin: coastal association or from places named Marino. Variants: Marini. Notable: Giulia Marini (various).
Marini
Common across central Italy. Variants: Marino, Marinelli. Numerous artistic and political figures.
Marchi
Short form of Marchese/Marchioni in places. Variants: Marchini, Marchese. Present in northern registry lists.
Marchetti
Diminutive form of Marchi or toponymic from Marche region. Variants: Marchettini. Notable: Cesare Marchetti (scientist, 1930–).
Marchesi
Originally denoted association with a marquis. Variants: Marchese, Marchesini. Found among artisan families.
Marchese
Common in the south; variants Marchesi. Historically linked to feudal offices and place names.
Marchionni
Less common; variant Marchionne. Notable: Federica Marchionni (business executive, 1971–).
Martini
Very widespread; also famous as brand (Martini & Rossi). Variants: Martinelli. Notable: Alessandro Martini (distiller, 1812–1905).
Martinelli
Common northern/central surname. Variants: Martin, Martini. Many artisans and politicians.
Martelli
Historic families with mercantile ties. Variants: Martello, Martellini.
Martino
Often devotional to St. Martin. Variants: Martini, Martinotti. Present widely in south.
Moretti
One of Italy’s most common surnames. Variants: Moretto, Morello. Notable: Nanni Moretti (film director, 1953–).
Morelli
Common with many regional branches. Variants: Morello, Moretti.
Morello
Also used as toponymic in some regions. Variants: Morelli, Moretti.
Mori
Ancient surname with multiple origins. Variants: Moro, Morini. Numerous historical bearers.
Morandi
Well known through cultural figures. Variants: Morando, Morando. Notable: Gianni Morandi (singer, 1944–).
Moroni
Common in northern Italy. Variants: Moro, Morone. Notable: Giacomo Moroni (various).
Moro
Simple form with many medieval attestations. Variants: Mori, Morone.
Mosca
Likely nickname (small, lively) or place link. Variants: Moscato. Found in southern records.
Moscato
Often occupational for vintners or locational; variants Moscati, Moscatello.
Musso
Northern surname; variants: Mussò. Also coastal Ligurian presence.
Mussolini
Historically a localized surname made notorious nationally. Notable: Benito Mussolini (political leader, 1883–1945).
Monti
Toponymic and widespread. Variants: Monti; Montano. Notable: Mario Monti (economist, 1943–).
Montanari
Denotes origin from a mountain area. Variants: Montanaro. Common in north‑east.
Montagna
Topographic surname; families across Italy. Variants: Montanari.
Montemurro
Originates from the town Montemurro (Basilicata); often southern families.
Montella
From the town Montella (Avellino) or geographic feature. Notable: Vincenzo Montella (footballer, 1974–).
Molinari
Very common occupational surname. Variants: Molinaro, Molino. Notable: Francesco Molinari (golfer, 1982–); Edoardo Molinari (golfer, 1981–).
Molinaro
Southern and central variant of Molinari. Variants: Molinari, Molino.
Molino
Both occupational and locational origins. Variants: Molinari, Molinaro.
Molteni
North‑Italian surname, concentrated near Lecco and Brianza. Variants: Molteno.
Mola
Found in the south; sometimes locational from places called Mola.
Messina
Toponymic, very common in and beyond Sicily. Variants: Messineo. Notable: Francesco Messina (sculptor, 1900–1995).
Mazzini
Historic republican associations. Variants: Mazzin, Mazzina. Notable: Giuseppe Mazzini (political activist, 1805–1872).
Mazza
Found in artisan and rural families. Variants: Mazzà, Mazzari.
Mazzola
Used by northern families; variants Mazzoli. Notable: Sandro Mazzola (footballer, 1942–).
Mazzoni
Northern/central presence. Variants: Mazzone, Mazzon.
Mazzone
Southern and central branches. Notable: Carlo Mazzone (football manager, 1937–).
Mazzei
Ancient Tuscan family name; variants Mazzeo, Mazzi. Notable: Filippo Mazzei (patriot, 1730–1816).
Mazzucco
Regional Piedmontese variant; notable bearers in arts and journalism.
Maselli
Often a diminutive of Tomaso/Maso. Variants Masello. Notable: Francesco Maselli (film director, 1930–2018).
Masini
Common northern surname. Variants: Masin.
Mastronardi
Indicates an ancestor’s craft or status. Variants: Mastroni. Notable: Lina Mastronardi (various).
Massaro
Southern occupational surname; variants Massari. Common in Naples area.
Massari
Often associated with estate management. Variants: Massaro, Massarini.
Medici
Famous Florentine dynasty (bankers, rulers). Variants: de’ Medici. Notable: Cosimo de’ Medici (statesman, 1389–1464); Caterina de’ Medici (queen, 1519–1589).
Meloni
Common in Sardinia and central Italy. Notable: Giorgia Meloni (politician, 1977–).
Melis
Very Sardinian; variants Melisu, Meliss. Often island‑rooted families.
Merlo
Bird‑based nickname; used by artisans and rural families. Variants Merli. Notable: Various local figures.
Merola
Common around Naples; variants Meroli. Notable: Gaetano Merola (opera impresario, 1881–1953).
Mercanti
Indicates mercantile ancestors. Variants Mercante. Present in merchant guild records.
Mercurio
Could be devotional or occupational related to trade. Variants Mercuri.
Meroni
North‑Italian surname with artisan roots. Variants Merone.
Merli
Plural form of Merlo, common in north‑east. Variants Merlo.
Merlini
Artisan and theatrical families; variants Merlino. Notable: Guido Merlini (various).
Messori
Found in central Italy; associated historically with trades and guilds.
Minelli
Common northern patronymic. Variants Minello, Minetto.
Minetti
Surname with theatrical and artistic bearers. Variants Minetto.
Milani
Often indicates origin from Milan. Variants Milano. Notable: Various regional figures.
Milano
Direct toponymic surname; many migrants used it to indicate Milanese origin.
Micheli
Very common patronymic; variants Micheli, Micheletti.
Michelini
Smaller branch of Michele‑derived surnames. Variants Michelin.
Micheletti
Often found in northern Italy; variants Micheletta.
Miele
Likely occupational for beekeepers or affectionate nickname. Variants Mieli.