Surnames – July 2024

This month we will finish Italian surnames starting with the letter Z.

ZARA – This surname derives from the name of the town of Zara, in Croatia. It is registered with the Bureau of Statistics in 19 of Italy’s 20 regions. It is most prevalent in Sardinia and least registered in Val d’Aosta. It is not present in Basilicata. Variations: ZARATINI, ZARATTINI, ZARATINO, ZARATTINO.

ZARLENGA – This surname derives from a dialect word meaning piece of salted and dry animal meat. It is registered with the Bureau of Statistics in only 10 of Italy’s 20 regions. It is most prevalent in Molise and least registered in Trentino Alto-Adige.

ZAVARELLA – This surname derives from a dialect word “zavatta,” coming from the standard Italian word ciabatta meaning foot slipper. It is registered with the Bureau of Statistics in only 12 of Italy’s 20 regions and is most prevalent in Abruzzo. Variation: ZAVARELLE.

ZICCARDI – This surname derives from the dialect word “zicche,” meaning occasion. It is registered with the Bureau of Statistics in 18 of Italy’s 20 regions and most prevalent in Campania. It is not present in Val d’Aosta or in Trentino Alto-Adige. Variation: ZICCARDO.

ZINNI –This surname is possibly from the dialect words “zinnu” or “zinna” meaning small or little. It is registered with the Bureau of Statistics in 19 of Italy’s 20 regions and most prevalent in Abruzzo. It is not present in Basilicata. Variation: ZINNO.

ZORZOLI – This surname comes from the first name Giorgio, deriving from the Greek word “gheorgos,” meaning farmer. It is registered with the Bureau of Statistics in only 13 of Italy’s 20 regions and is most prevalent in Lombardia. Variations: ZORZELLI, ZORZELLO, ZORZINI, ZORZIN, ZORZIL, ZORZON, ZORZENON, ZORAZANI, ZORZAN, ZORZANELLO, ZURZULLI, ZORZALO, ZORZALLO, ZORZAL, ZORZUTTI.

ZUCCARELLI – This surname derives from the Italian word “zucchero,” meaning sugar, and is used as a nickname for a sweet and good person. It is registered with the Bureau of Statistics in 16 of Italy’s 20 regions. It is most prevalent in Calabria and least registered in Le Marche. Variations: ZUCARO, ZUCCARINI, ZUCCARI, ZUCCARINO, ZUCCHERINO, ZUCCUHERINI, ZUCARO, ZUCCARI.

ZUCCO –This surname derives from the Italian word “zucca” which is the singular word for pumpkin, squash and gourd. It derives from the Latin word “cucutia”. It is registered with the Bureau of Statistics in only 18 of Italy’s 20 regions and is most prevalent in Piemonte. It is not present in Molise e Basilicata. Variation: ZUCCOLA.

ZULLI – This surname derives possibly from the Greek surname “Tsulos,” from Giulio. It is registered with the Bureau of Statistics in 17 of Italy’s 20 regions. It is most prevalent in Piemomte. It is not present in Abruzzo and least prevalent in Molise. It is not present in Val d’Aosta, Umbria or Trentino Alto-Adige. Variation: ZULLO.