Last Name Cagni

The surname Cagni originates from Italy and is a toponymic surname, derived from a place-name. Specifically, it is associated with various locations in Tuscany and Emilia-Romagna regions, such as Cagni in the province of Lucca or Cagni in the province of Ravenna. The name likely refers to a geographical feature, possibly a hill or elevation, as "cagno" means "hillock" in Italian. As with many Italian surnames, it was originally a nickname for someone who lived near such a place, and over time, the name became hereditary.

Learn more about the origin of the last name Cagni

The meaning and origin of the last name Cagni

The surname Cagni is an Italian patronymic name derived from a given name, specifically Cagnino, which is a diminutive form of the name Cagnolo or Cagna. These names are believed to have originated from the Old High German 'Hagan' or 'Haganr,' meaning 'enclosure' or 'property.' Over time, these names evolved in Italy due to various phonetic and linguistic changes. The surname Cagni, like many Italian surnames, was likely created as a way to distinguish family members from others with the same given name during the Middle Ages when many people had common first names. The name Cagni is relatively uncommon outside of Italy but is primarily found in Tuscany and Emilia-Romagna regions.

Geographical distribution of the last name Cagni

The surname Cagni is predominantly Italian and is most concentrated in Italy, particularly in the regions of Emilia-Romagna and Tuscany. According to various genealogical databases, the highest frequency of this surname can be found in the provinces of Bologna, Modena, Florence, and Pistoia. Beyond Italy, there are also significant numbers of Cagni family members in Argentina, Brazil, Switzerland, and the United States, which suggests immigration from Italy during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. The migration patterns to South America were mainly to Argentina, Uruguay, and Brazil, while to North America, most immigrants settled in the northeastern states of the USA such as New York, Massachusetts, and Pennsylvania.

Variants and spellings of the last name Cagni

The surname Cagni has several variations and spellings due to regional dialects and transcription errors over time. Some of these include:

1. Cagnì - Italian variant with an accent mark on the 'i'.
2. Cagnie - French adaptation, adding a final 'e' as is common in French surnames.
3. Cagney - An anglicized version, primarily used among families who emigrated from Italy to English-speaking countries like America. This spelling may also have been influenced by the last name of the American actor James Cagney.
4. Cañi - A possible Spanish variant, although it is more common as a separate surname in Spain.
5. Kagni or Kaigny - Hypothetical phonetic variations from alternative pronunciations of the original Italian surname.
6. Cagnato or Cagnati - Derived from the same root word "cagna," meaning "bitch" or "dog," but are compound surnames that indicate a place name, occupation, or nickname. For example, someone named Cagnato could have originated from a place called "Cagna" or been associated with dogs (as a hunter, trainer, etc.).
7. Lastly, the surname may also be contracted or misspelled as Cagn or Cagnj in informal contexts, but these variations are less common and not widely recognized.

Famous people with the last name Cagni

Notable individuals with the surname Cagni include:

1. Franco Caglioti (born 1943), an Argentine-Italian tango musician and singer, better known as Francisco Cóccaro. He is a member of Los Tres Wise Men, a well-known tango orchestra.

2. Angelo Cagni (1807–1869), an Italian composer and conductor who was the first music director of the La Scala Theatre in Milan. He is known for his operas such as "I giurati" and "I due Foscari."

3. Dino Cagliotti (born 1947), an Argentine former footballer who played as a striker for clubs like Rosario Central, River Plate, and San Lorenzo in Argentina. He also represented the Argentina national team, winning the 1978 FIFA World Cup.

4. Riccardo Cagni (born 1963), an Italian former footballer who played as a midfielder for teams like Lazio, Juventus, and Fiorentina in Italy. He also represented the Italian national team in the 1988 European Championship.

5. Paolo Cagni (born 1964), an Italian former professional footballer who played as a midfielder for clubs like Genoa, Lazio, and Fiorentina. He is also a coach, managing teams like Reggiana, Spezia, and Como in the Italian league.

Genealogical research on the last name Cagni

The surname Cagni is believed to have origins in Tuscany, Italy. It is derived from the medieval occupational name Mastai (Mastino, Mastin), meaning "large dog keeper" or "mastiff." Variations of this name include Cagnani, Cagnina, and Cagna. The Cagni family was predominantly found in the areas surrounding Florence, Pisa, and Siena. Notable figures with the surname Cagni include Antonio Cagni, an Italian mathematician and physicist who made significant contributions to the field of elasticity theory; and Gino Cagni, an Italian jazz saxophonist. The surname Cagni is also found in other regions of Italy due to migration over the centuries.

Last name distribution maps

Sources & References

• INSEE statistics on the surname "cagni"
• 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 : 30 July 2025

Share the origin of your last name with your friends