Last Name Bonanno

The surname Bonanno has its roots in Italy, specifically Sicily. It is derived from the Italian word "buono" which means good in English. Over time, it was a common practice for Italian families to adopt occupational names or nicknames that described their profession, physical characteristics, or personality traits. In this case, the original bearer of the Bonanno name may have been associated with being a good person. However, it's important to note that surnames can have multiple origins and it is always possible for different families with the same name to have separate histories.

Learn more about the origin of the last name Bonanno

The meaning and origin of the last name Bonanno

The surname Bonanno is of Italian origin, specifically from Sicily. It derives from the Italian word "buonanotte," which translates to "good night" in English. The name was often given to babies who were born during the night or baptized at night, and families would choose a name that symbolized good wishes for the child's future. Over time, as families migrated from Sicily, the name Bonanno became more widespread throughout Italy and eventually reached other parts of the world. The name is notable for its association with prominent figures in organized crime in New York City during the mid-20th century, but it is important to remember that the surname Bonanno is shared by many law-abiding individuals with no connection to criminal activities.

Geographical distribution of the last name Bonanno

The surname Bonanno has a predominantly Italian origin and is most commonly found within Italy, particularly in the region of Sicily where it is one of the top 200 most frequent surnames. Outside of Italy, significant populations bearing the name Bonanno can be found in countries with a large Italian diaspora such as the United States, Canada, Argentina, Australia, and Brazil. In the U.S., the highest concentrations are in cities like New York and Chicago that have historically attracted large numbers of Italian immigrants. The surname Bonanno may also be found among descendants of early European settlers in other parts of the world, albeit at much lower frequencies.

Variants and spellings of the last name Bonanno

The surname Bonanno has multiple variations and spellings due to the diversity in pronunciation and local conventions over time. Some common variants include: Bonnano, Bonnafondo, Bannana, Bonan, Bonanne, Bonane, Bonomo, Bonamico, Bonnano, Bonanno-Schneider, Bonanus, and Bonnauw. These variations may also be found with slight differences in spelling based on regional dialects or transcription errors, such as Bonaino, Boninno, Bonaina, Bonina, Bonaño, Boninu, Bonaine, and Bonnaie. It is important to note that some of these variations may have slightly different origins, although they all share a common root.

Famous people with the last name Bonanno

Notable individuals bearing the surname Bonanno include Joseph Bonanno (1905-2002), an Italian-American Sicilian Mafia boss, known as Joe Bananas, who was one of the five bosses of the New York Crime Family during the latter half of the 20th century. In literature, Mary Bonanno is a renowned author and poet whose works have been published in numerous anthologies and literary magazines. Another significant figure is Carmelo "The Cigar" Bonanno (1923-2005), a prominent member of the Bonanno crime family who cooperated extensively with federal law enforcement agencies, providing key information that led to the conviction of many fellow Mafiosi. Lastly, Salvatore Bonanno is an Italian politician and businessman who served as President of the Regional Assembly of Sicily from 2014 to 2019.

Genealogical research on the last name Bonanno

The Bonanno surname originates from Sicily, Italy, specifically the city of Palermo. It is one of the eight historic mafia clans in New York City, known as the "Five Families" or the "Major Crime Families." The Bonanno family in America traces its roots to Vito Bonanno, who immigrated to New York from Sicily in 1905. Over the years, the name gained notoriety due to its association with organized crime, with notable figures such as Joseph Bonanno, also known as "Joe Bananas," leading the family during its peak of influence in the mid-20th century. The Bonanno family is still active in New York's criminal underworld today. Beyond the criminal context, the Bonanno surname can be found throughout the United States and Italy, with various branches tracing their origins to different towns in Sicily.

Last name distribution maps

Sources & References

• INSEE statistics on the surname "Bonanno"
• Global distribution of the surname on Forebears.io
• Wikipedia Article

About the author :

NomOrigine Team
Passionate about genealogy, name history, and linguistics, we have been analyzing the origins of names for over 3 years. Our content is based on verified historical, etymological, and statistical data.
Last updated : 10 June 2025

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