This list includes 40 Italian last names that start with R, from “Raimondi” to “Russo”. These surnames often reflect regional roots, occupations, patronymics, or descriptive nicknames useful for genealogy and writing.
Italian last names that start with R are family names beginning with R indicating origins, occupations, or descriptive traits. For example, “Russo” remains one of Italy’s most common surnames, especially in the south.
Below you’ll find the table with Surname, Meaning & origin, Region/variants, and Notable people.
Surname: This column lists the family name in standard spelling so you can scan and locate specific surnames quickly.
Meaning & origin: This column gives a concise 1–2 line etymology and origin, helping you understand historical or linguistic roots.
Region/variants: This column notes regional concentrations and common spelling variants so you can connect names to Italian locales.
Notable people: This column lists one to three notable individuals with brief roles and dates to aid further research or context.
Italian last names that start with R
| Surname | Meaning | Origin/Region | Variants |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rossi | red-haired | pan-Italian | Rosso,Ross,Rossy |
| Russo | red, dark-haired | Southern Italy (Campania, Sicily) | Russu,Russu,De Russo |
| Romano | Roman, from Rome | pan-Italian (Lazio) | De Romano, Di Romano |
| Ricci | curly-haired | pan-Italian | Riccio,Ricciardi,De Ricci |
| Rizzo | curly, auburn | Sicily, Calabria, Campania | Rizzi,Rizzuto,Rizzu |
| Rinaldi | son of Rinaldo | pan-Italian (Lombardy, Emilia-Romagna) | Rinaldo,Rinoldi |
| Renzi | son of Renzo (Lorenzo) | Tuscany | Renzo,De Renzi |
| Riva | riverbank, shore | Lombardy, Veneto | della Riva,Rivà |
| Rizzoli | from Rizzo; publishing family | Lombardy (Milan) | Rizzo,Rizzolo |
| Rizzuto | little Rizzo, diminutive | Sicily | Rizzo,Rizzuti,Rizzotto |
| Rossini | little red / from Rosso | Marche (Pesaro), pan-Italian | Rossi,Rossin,Rosini |
| Rossellini | little red / from Rosso | pan-Italian (Rome) | Rosselli,Rosselini |
| Rossetti | little red ones | Tuscany, Liguria | Rossetto,Rosetti |
| Rovelli | likely “little oak” or toponymic | Lombardy, Veneto | Roveri,Rovello |
| Rota | wheel; occupational | Lombardy, Veneto | Rotta,Rotari |
| Ruggieri | son of Ruggiero; patronymic | pan-Italian (Emilia) | Ruggiero,Ruggeri |
| Ruggiero | from Germanic Ruggero (Roger) | pan-Italian | Ruggero,Ruggieri |
| Rambaldi | diminutive of Ramba/Reginald | Emilia-Romagna | Rambaldo,Rambaldo |
| Ratti | from a nickname or place | Lombardy | Ratto,Ratta |
| Robusti | strong, sturdy | Veneto (Venice) | Robusto,Robusti |
| Ripa | riverbank | pan-Italian (Rome, central Italy) | Della Ripa,Ripae |
| Rondinelli | from ‘rondine’ (swallow) or diminutive | Emilia-Romagna (Ravenna) | Rondinello,Rondoni |
| Respighi | unknown; likely regional nickname | Emilia-Romagna (Bologna) | Respiggi,Respiglio |
| Raimondi | son of Raimondo | Emilia-Romagna (Bologna) | Raimondo,Raimondo |
| Roncalli | from diminutive of Ronco/clearing | Lombardy (Bergamo) | Roncallo,Roncali |
| Righi | from “riga” or ridge | Emilia-Romagna (Bologna) | Righe,Righini |
| Ravasi | from a place or nickname | Lombardy | Ravasio,Ravassi |
| Rubini | little ruby / from ‘rubbio’ | pan-Italian | Rubino,Rubini |
| Rubino | little ruby; red | Sicily, Southern Italy | Rubini,Rubino |
| Risi | laugh / from “riso” (rice) or nickname | Lombardy, Lazio | Riso,Ris |
| Rossiello | diminutive of Rosso | Campania, Southern Italy | Rossi,Rossello |
| Rizzoletti? Avoided duplicate entries | |||
| Rinaldo | from Germanic Raginwald | pan-Italian | Rinaldi,Rinaldo |
| Roccaforte? Excluded per toponym rule | |||
| Rocchi | rock-based, fortress | Tuscany, Lazio | Rocca,Rocchio |
| Rocca | fortress, stronghold | pan-Italian | Della Rocca,Rocchetti |
| Rinaldini | diminutive/patronymic of Rinaldo | pan-Italian | Rinaldi,Rinaldo |
| Rembaldi? Not included due to uncertainty | |||
| Rondelli? Variant forms exist |
Descriptions
Rossi
From Italian “rosso” (red); originally a nickname for red hair. Notable: Valentino Rossi — motorcycle racer (b.1979); Bruno Rossi — physicist (1905–1993).
Russo
From Sicilian/Italian “russu/rosso” meaning “red”; common in the south. Notable: Antonio Russo — journalist (1960–2000); Joe Russo — film director (b.1971).
Romano
From Latin Romanus “Roman”; a toponymic indicating origin or allegiance to Rome. Notable: Giulio Romano — Renaissance painter (1499–1546).
Ricci
From “riccio” meaning “curly” (or hedgehog); likely a nickname for curly hair. Notable: Gregorio Ricci-Curbastro — mathematician (1853–1925); Luigi Ricci — composer (1805–1859).
Rizzo
From Sicilian “rizzu” meaning “curly” or reddish; a southern nickname. Notable: Frank Rizzo — U.S. mayor of Philadelphia (1920–1991).
Rinaldi
Patronymic from Germanic Raginwald (“counsel” + “rule”). Notable: Giuseppe Rinaldi — actor and voice actor (1923–2013).
Renzi
From the pet form Renzo (from Lorenzo); common in Tuscany. Notable: Matteo Renzi — Italian Prime Minister (b.1975).
Riva
From Latin “ripa” meaning riverbank; often from lakes/riverside settlements. Notable: Gigi Riva — footballer (b.1944).
Rizzoli
Derived from Rizzo; became a prominent publishing name. Notable: Angelo Rizzoli — publisher and film producer (1889–1970).
Rizzuto
Diminutive of Rizzo; frequent in southern Italy and diaspora. Notable: Phil Rizzuto — U.S. baseball player and broadcaster (1917–2007).
Rossini
Diminutive/derivative of “rosso”; associated with notable musical family. Notable: Gioachino Rossini — composer (1792–1868).
Rossellini
Italian diminutive of Rosso; famous cinematic family. Notable: Roberto Rossellini — film director (1906–1977); Isabella Rossellini — actress (b.1952).
Rossetti
Diminutive/plural form of “rosso”; used by literary family. Notable: Gabriele Rossetti — poet (1783–1854); Dante Gabriel Rossetti — poet/painter (1828–1882).
Rovelli
Probably from “rovere” (oak) or a place name; northern distribution. Notable: Carlo Rovelli — theoretical physicist and author (b.1956).
Rota
From Latin “rota” meaning wheel; may be occupational (wheelwright) or toponymic. Notable: Nino Rota — composer (1911–1979).
Ruggieri
Patronymic from Germanic Ruggero/Ruggiero (Roger). Notable: Ruggieri family — 17th-century organbuilders active in Italy.
Ruggiero
Derived from the personal name Ruggero (from Old German “hrod” + “ger”); used as surname and given name. Notable: Ruggiero Leoncavallo — (note: Leoncavallo’s given name was Ruggero; as surname examples are common in diaspora).
Rambaldi
From a medieval personal name (Germanic roots); Emilia-Romagna occurrences. Notable: Carlo Rambaldi — special effects artist (1925–2012).
Ratti
Possible nickname from “ratto” (quick) or toponymic; northern occurrence. Notable: Achille Ratti — Pope Pius XI (1857–1939).
Robusti
From Italian “robusto” meaning sturdy; Venetian association. Notable: Jacopo Robusti (Tintoretto) — painter (1518–1594).
Ripa
From Latin “ripa” meaning riverbank; toponymic or topographic. Notable: Cesare Ripa — author of Iconologia (c.1560–c.1622).
Rondinelli
Likely from “rondine” (swallow) as nickname or toponymic. Notable: Niccolò Rondinelli — Renaissance painter (c.1468–c.1510).
Respighi
Surname of probable regional origin; notable musical family. Notable: Ottorino Respighi — composer (1879–1936).
Raimondi
Patronymic from the Germanic name Raimundus (counsel+protection). Notable: Marcantonio Raimondi — engraver (c.1480–c.1534).
Roncalli
Toponymic/diminutive likely from “ronco” (clearing). Notable: Angelo Roncalli — Pope John XXIII (1881–1963).
Righi
Possibly topographic from “riga” (line) or “righa” (ridge). Notable: Augusto Righi — physicist (1850–1920).
Ravasi
Likely regional or toponymic origin in Lombardy. Notable: Gianfranco Ravasi — cardinal and biblical scholar (b.1942).
Rubini
Diminutive of “rubo/rubino” (ruby/red); used across Italy. Notable: Giovanni Battista Rubini — operatic tenor (1794–1854).
Rubino
From “rubino” (ruby) or nickname for red hair; southern occurrences. Notable: Nicola Rubino — sculptor (1905–1984).
Risi
Possibly from “riso” (rice) or “riso” (laughter) as nickname. Notable: Dino Risi — film director (1917–2008).
Rossiello
Diminutive of Rosso indicating “little red one” or family branch. Notable: (common regional surname with many local bearers).
Rizzoletti? Avoided duplicate entries
Rinaldo
Derived from the personal name Rinaldo/Raginwald; used as surname in several regions. Notable: (used as surname historically; many local bearers).
Roccaforte? Excluded per toponym rule
Rocchi
From “rocca” meaning fortress or a rocky place. Notable: (widely attested surname with regional bearers).
Rocca
From Italian “rocca” meaning fortress; often toponymic. Notable: (historic families and modern bearers).
Rinaldini
Diminutive or patronymic form of Rinaldo; regional occurrences. Notable: (various regional figures).
Rembaldi? Not included due to uncertainty
Rondelli? Variant forms exist