Last Name Cino

The surname "Cino" is an Italian and Jewish name that originates from various sources. In Italy, it could be a habitational name derived from places named Cino or Cinigo, which are found in several regions including Tuscany and Lombardy. These place names are believed to have originated from the Latin word "cineres," meaning ashes, possibly referring to the location's ash-like appearance. In Jewish contexts, Cino is a shortened form of Cohen, which means priest in Hebrew. In this case, it would be an occupational name for a Jewish priest. It is also possible that the name could have been Italianized from various Jewish surnames with similar roots, such as Kahn or Kohn. As with many surnames, the exact origin of Cino can vary depending on the specific family and location, making it essential to research individual lineages for a more accurate history.

Learn more about the origin of the last name Cino

The meaning and origin of the last name Cino

The surname Cino is an Italian patronymic name derived from a given name. The given name "Cino" itself is believed to have origins dating back to the Early Middle Ages. It is thought to be a diminutive form of various names containing the element "cin-", such as "Cinzio" (derived from Cynthius, a Roman family name related to the Greek goddess Artemis), "Cinoaldo" or "Cinzoaldo" (combinations of "Cino" and "aldo," meaning "noble"), or even "Cinese" (meaning "Chinese"). Over time, "Cino" evolved into a surname, indicating that the bearer was named after a male ancestor with the given name. The distribution of the Cino surname is primarily concentrated in Italy, particularly in regions such as Tuscany and Emilia-Romagna.

Geographical distribution of the last name Cino

The surname Cino is predominantly found in Italy, where it originates from. Historically, it was most common in regions such as Tuscany and Emilia-Romagna. Outside of Italy, significant populations bearing the surname Cino can be found in countries with large Italian diaspora communities, including the United States, Brazil, Argentina, and Canada. In the U.S., the highest concentrations of people with the last name Cino are primarily located along the East Coast, particularly in states like New York, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania, where Italian immigration was historically high. In Brazil, the surname is prevalent in the South and Southeast regions due to Italian migration in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

Variants and spellings of the last name Cino

The surname Cino has various spelling variations, primarily due to differences in translation, transcription errors, and regional dialects over time. Some common versions include Cinó, Cino, Chino, and Cinna. These differences can be attributed to factors such as changes in pronunciation conventions, immigration records' inconsistencies, and the adoption of different orthographic norms. For instance, the Italian surname Cino may have been spelled as Chino or Cinna when it was anglicized upon immigration to English-speaking countries. Similarly, variations like Cinó could result from diacritic mark omissions in various languages or dialects. It is essential to note that these variants all stem from the original Italian surname Cino.

Famous people with the last name Cino

Notable individuals with the surname Cino include:

1. Carlomagno Cino (born 1933), an Italian jazz double-bassist and composer. He collaborated with artists like Charlie Mingus, Duke Ellington, and Ornette Coleman.

2. Aldo Ciano (1907-1944), the son of Italian dictator Benito Mussolini's daughter Edda Ciano and Galeazzo Ciano. He was executed for his role in the 1944 plot to kill Mussolini while Italy was under German occupation during World War II.

3. Galeazzo Ciano (1903-1944), an Italian journalist, politician, and naval officer who served as Undersecretary of State for the Italian Foreign Ministry from 1936 to 1943. He was also Edda Ciano's husband and was executed after being convicted of treason following the plot against Mussolini.

4. Edmondo Cairo de Ciano (1880-1952), an Italian general who served as the Chief of General Staff of the Royal Italian Army from 1936 to 1939 and was Galeazzo Ciano's father.

Genealogical research on the last name Cino

The surname Cino originates from Italy and is predominantly found in regions such as Tuscany, Emilia-Romagna, and Lombardy. It is believed to be a nickname surname derived from the Italian word "cino" or "chino," meaning red or reddish-brown, referring to a person with this hair color. The Cino family is traced back to the 13th century, with prominent members including Brunetto Latini (1220-1294), a Florentine poet and politician, and Guido Cino da Pistoia (1270-1336), a medieval philosopher and jurist. The Cino family also played significant roles in the political landscape of Florence during the Middle Ages and the Renaissance period. Throughout history, various branches of the Cino family have spread across Italy and other parts of Europe, leading to numerous lineages bearing the surname Cino today.

Last name distribution maps

Sources & References

• INSEE statistics on the surname "cino"
• 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 : 31 July 2025

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