Surnames and Their Origins – August 2023

This month we extend our list of Italian surnames that begin with S.

SCARPONE – This surname derives from the Italian word “scarpa,” meaning shoe. It started as a nickname for a shoemaker. It appears in the bureau of statistics in 17
of Italy’s 20 regions. It is most prevalent in Campania and least found in Basilicata. The three regions where it does not show up are Valle d’Aosta, Umbria and Puglia. Variations: SCARPITTI, SCARPA.

SCIULLO – It appears in the bureau of statistics in 14 of Italy’s 20 regions. It is most prevalent in Abruzzo and least found in Trentino Alto-Adige. Variation: SCIULLI.

SCORANNO – This surname derives from the name of the town of Scorrano in the Salento area in the Puglia region. It appears in the bureau of statistics in 17 of Italy’s 20 regions. As might be expected, it is most prevalent in Puglia.

SCURTI – This surname derives probably from the adjective “corto,” meaning short to indicate a short person. Also derived from the dialect verb “scurtà,” meaning to fi nish. It appears in the bureau of statistics in 17
of Italy’s 20 regions. It is most prevalent in Abruzzo. Variation: SCURTO.

SCUTTI – This surname derives from the dialect word “scutu,” meaning shield. It is present in 15 regions of Italy’s 20 regions. It is most prevalent in Abruzzo. Variations: SCUTTO, SCUTI, SCUTO.

SEBASTIANI – This surname derives from the Latin fi rst name Sebastianus. It appears in the bureau of statistics in all of Italy’s 20 regions. It is most prevalent in Lazio which is probably due to the fact that St. Sebastian was martyred in Rome and is buried there. Even though St. Sebastian was martyred in Rome, he is venerated in many other parts of Italy, especially Sicily. Variations: SEBASTIANELLI, SEBASTIANUTTI.

SERAFINI – This surname d erives from fi rst name Serafi no, derived from the Hebrew “Serafi m,” from “seraf” meaning to burn. It is a very common surname. It appears in the bureau of statistics in all of Italy’s 20 regions. It is most prevalent in Lazio and least in Val d’Aosta.

SETTE – This surname derives from the Italian word “sette,” meaning seven. It evolved from a nickname into a surname of ancestral families used when a seventh child was born into a family. It appears in the bureau of statistics in 19 of Italy’s 20 regions, mostly in Veneto. The missing region is Basilicata.

SGUERZO – This surname derives from the adjective “guercio” meaning blind, It started out as a nickname and evolved into a surname. It is found in only 4 regions: Liguria, Toscana, Piemonte and Lombardia.

SIGISMONDI – This surname derives from the fi rst name Sigismondo, of German origin, consisting of “sigis” meaning victory and “munda” meaning protection. It appears in the bureau of statistics in 19 of Italy’s 20 regions, mostly in Abruzzo. The missing region is Val d’Aosta. Variations: SIGISMONDO, SISMONDI, SISMONDA, SISMONDO, SIMONDINI, SIMONDI.

You can research your surname on these two websites:
• surnames.behindthename.com/names/usage/italian/
• cognomix.it/mappe-dei-cognomi-italiani