1008+ Italian Last Names Starting with C – Origin & History

Italian Last Names Starting with C: Italian surnames are a tapestry of history, culture, and regional diversity. Among them, those starting with the letter ‘C’ hold a unique charm. Whether rooted in ancient Roman origins, medieval trades, or geographical landmarks, these surnames offer glimpses into Italy’s rich past. Names like ‘Caruso’ evoke notions of skillful craftsmanship, while ‘Conti’ harken back to noble lineages. ‘Colombo’ hints at seafaring adventures, reflecting Italy’s maritime legacy.

In this article, we delve into a curated selection of Italian last names starting with C exploring their etymology, historical contexts, and the stories they carry, painting a vivid portrait of Italy’s diverse heritage.

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50+ Italian Last Names Starting with C

Here are 50 Italian last names starting with C along with their meanings, origin, gender, and a brief description:

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Unique Italian last names C

Here are some unique Italian last names starting with C along with their meanings:

1. Carrara – Named after the Carrara region in Tuscany, known for its prized marble quarries.
2. Calabrese – Denotes someone from the Calabria region in Southern Italy.
3. Cavallaro – Means “horseman” or “knight” in Italian.
4. Castellano – Refers to a person from a castle or fort.
5. Catalano – Indicates someone from Catalonia, a region in Spain.
6. Cesare – Derived from the given name Cesare, meaning “bald” or “head of hair.”
7. Colombo – Means “dove” in Italian, often associated with peace and purity.
8. Corso – Refers to a person from Corsica, an island in the Mediterranean.
9. Cortesi – Means “courteous” or “polite” in Italian.
10. Crespo – Indicates someone with curly hair.
11. Crivello – Means “sieve” in Italian, possibly indicating a sieve maker’s profession.
12. Cuoco – Translates to “cook” in English.
13. Cugino – Means “cousin” in Italian.
14. Cancelliere – Refers to a chancellor or secretary in medieval Italy.
15. Caputo – Derived from the Italian word “capo,” meaning “head” or “leader.”
16. Carnevale – Indicates someone born or associated with the carnival season.
17. Cerrone – Likely derived from “cerrone,” meaning “large candlestick” in Italian.
18. Chimenti – Possibly related to the word “chimney,” indicating a chimney sweep.
19. Cicerone – Means “guide” or “mentor” in Italian.
20. Cinque – Translates to “five” in English.

Famous Italian surnames with C

Here are some famous Italian Last Names Starting with C along with their meanings:

1. Colombo – Meaning “dove” in Italian, Colombo is a surname that may have originated from a person associated with doves.
2. Conti – This surname means “counts” in Italian, suggesting a noble or aristocratic lineage.
3. Cavalli – Translating to “horses” in Italian, Cavalli might have been used to denote someone associated with horses or horse breeding.
4. Caruso – Derived from the Italian word “caruso,” meaning “boy” or “son,” Caruso signifies “son of.”
5. Cipriani – This surname means “from Cyprus,” indicating an association with the Mediterranean island.
6. Cassano – Likely derived from the town of Cassano Irpino in Italy, this surname denotes a regional origin.
7. Cattaneo – Referring to someone from the Cattanea region in Lombardy, Italy, this surname is of locational origin.
8. Caputo – This surname may have originated from the Italian word “capo,” meaning “head” or “chief,” possibly denoting a leader or person in charge.
9. Crespo – Derived from the Italian word “crespo,” meaning “curly,” this surname may have referred to a person with curly hair.
10. Carrara – Referring to the city of Carrara in Tuscany, Italy, known for its marble quarries, this surname denotes a geographical origin.

Ancient Italian surnames with C

Here are some ancient Italian last names starting with C along with their meanings:

1. Crescenti – Derived from the Latin word “crescens,” meaning “growing” or “thriving,” Crescenti may have indicated a family’s prosperity or growth.
2. Caligari – This surname might have originated from the Latin word “caligarius,” referring to a maker or seller of caligae, which were Roman military boots.
3. Cipriani – Meaning “from Cyprus,” Cipriani may have indicated a family’s connection to the Mediterranean island of Cyprus.
4. Castroni – Derived from the Latin word “castrum,” meaning “fort” or “castle,” Castroni may have referred to someone living near or in a fortification.
5. Cencioni – This surname could be related to the Italian word “censo,” which means “census” or “tax,” indicating a family’s involvement in taxation or record-keeping.
6. Cianetti – Possibly derived from “ciano,” meaning “blue” in Italian, Cianetti might have referred to someone associated with the color blue.
7. Cirillo – This surname may have originated from the Greek name “Kyrios,” meaning “lord” or “master,” suggesting a position of authority or respect.
8. Colombo – Meaning “dove” in Italian, Colombo might have indicated a family’s association with doves or symbolized peace and gentleness.
9. Cappelletti – Derived from “cappello,” meaning “hat” in Italian, Cappelletti may have indicated a profession or characteristic associated with headgear.
10. Calcaterra – This surname is a combination of “calca” (to press or trample) and “terra” (earth or land), suggesting a family’s involvement in agriculture or land-related activities.

Traditional Italian surnames C

Here are some traditional Italian last names starting with C along with their meanings:

1. Corso – Likely derived from “Corso,” meaning “Corsican,” indicating someone from the island of Corsica.
2. Carrara – Refers to the city of Carrara in Tuscany, known for its high-quality marble quarries.
3. Catalano – Indicates someone from Catalonia, a region in northeastern Spain.
4. Cantone – Refers to a district or precinct, suggesting a person from a specific area.
5. Cafaro – Could be derived from “Caffaro,” an Italian given name of uncertain origin.
6. Cataldi – Indicates someone from Catalonia, a region in northeastern Spain.
7. Capelli – Means “hair,” possibly referring to a person with distinctive or notable hair.
8. Cappello – Translates to “hat,” possibly indicating someone who made or sold hats.
9. Cerruti – Indicates someone from the town of Cerruti in Piedmont, Italy.
10. Cenci – Means “rags” or “tatters,” possibly referring to a person who worked with textiles.
11. Cacciatore – Translates to “hunter,” indicating a person involved in hunting or a family with a hunting tradition.

Historical Italian surnames C

Here are 20 historical Italian surnames starting with the C along with their meanings:

1. Caruso – Means “boy” or “lad”.
2. Cattaneo – Possibly derived from the word “catta,” meaning a piece of cloth or fabric.
3. Colombo – Derived from the Italian word for “dove” or “pigeon”.
4. Conti – Originally referred to a noble title equivalent to a count.
5. Crespo – Means “curly” or “wavy” in Italian.
6. Cavallaro – Means “horseman” or “knight”.
7. Cassano – Derived from the name of a town in southern Italy, possibly meaning “hollow” or “valley”.
8. Cecchini – A diminutive form of the name “Cecilia”, meaning “blind” or “dim-sighted”.
9. Coppola – Means “small hat” or “cap” in Italian.
10. Cavalcanti – Refers to a horseman or knight.
11. Chiari – Means “clear” or “bright”.
12. Corso – May refer to a course or path.
13. Crescenzio – Derived from the word “crescere,” meaning “to grow” or “to increase”.
14. Carrara – Likely derived from the name of the city Carrara, known for its marble quarries.
15. Cosenza – Refers to a city in southern Italy.
16. Caputo – Means “head” or “chief”.
17. Cipriani – Derived from the name “Cyprus,” possibly referring to someone from Cyprus.
18. Colombo – An alternate surname meaning “dove” or “pigeon”.
19. Cesare – Derived from the name “Caesar,” associated with the Roman emperor.
20. Cavaliere – Means “knight” or “horseman”.

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Hope you got the information about Italian Last Names Starting with C. Italian surnames beginning with ‘C’ offer a captivating glimpse into Italy’s diverse heritage. From names rooted in ancient trades and occupations to those derived from geographic features and noble lineages, each surname carries a unique story. The meanings behind these names reflect a deep connection to Italy’s rich history, culture, and regional diversity.

Whether signifying a specific occupation, a distinctive physical attribute, or a regional origin, these surnames provide a fascinating window into the lives and identities of Italian families. They stand as a testament to the enduring legacy of Italy’s past and the vibrant tapestry of its people.