Last Name Loperfido

The surname Loperfido is of Italian origin. It derives from the personal name Loperto, a diminutive form of the name Lorenzo. In medieval Italy, it was common for surnames to be derived from given names as a way of identifying individuals within a family or community. The "i" at the end of Loperfido is a common suffix in Italian that indicates plurality and can sometimes indicate membership in the same family. However, it's important to note that surnames have often evolved over time due to various factors such as geographical migrations, phonetic changes, or even errors during the process of recording names.

Learn more about the origin of the last name Loperfido

The meaning and origin of the last name Loperfido

The surname Loperfido is an Italian name derived from the Latin "lupus" (wolf) and "per-fidus" (faithless or betrayer). It suggests an initial association with a "faithless wolf," though interpretations may vary depending on regional dialects and historical context. The name's origins can be traced back to medieval Italy, where surnames were often assigned based on one's occupation, place of origin, physical characteristics, or attributes. In the case of Loperfido, it is believed that the bearer may have been associated with a person who was perceived as treacherous like a wolf, although the exact historical basis for this association remains unclear. Over time, the name evolved and spread among various Italian communities, becoming a distinctive part of Italian genealogy.

Geographical distribution of the last name Loperfido

The surname Loperfido is predominantly found in Italy, particularly in the regions of Abruzzo and Molise, where it originated from the town of L'Aquila. However, over time, the migration of Italians to other parts of the world has led to a wider geographical distribution. In North America, it is most common among Italian immigrants who settled in the United States and Canada, particularly in urban areas such as New York City, Philadelphia, Toronto, and Montreal. In Europe, the name can be found in countries with large Italian diaspora populations like Spain, France, Germany, and the United Kingdom. A smaller presence of Loperfidos can also be detected in South American nations with significant Italian immigrant communities, such as Argentina and Brazil.

Variants and spellings of the last name Loperfido

The surname Loperfido has several variations and spelling alterations in English and other languages. Here are some of them:

1. Loperfido (Italian) - this is the original Italian form of the name, which comes from the combination of two words "lupo" meaning wolf, and "perfido" meaning faithless or treacherous, suggesting a cunning individual.
2. Loperfide (English variant spelling) - while not commonly used in English, some families may have slightly altered the spelling to better suit the English language phonetics.
3. Loerperfoedt (German) - a possible transliteration of the Italian surname into German, with the "o" being replaced by "ö", which is a common modification in some languages.
4. Loperfoi (Italian short form) - another variant of the name, using an abbreviated version of the original spelling.
5. Loperfood (English phonetic misinterpretation) - this is a possible misinterpretation of the pronunciation of the surname in English, with a more literal translation of the Italian "lupo" as "wolf food". However, it's important to note that this is not an accurate representation of the original name.
6. Loperfido-Smith (Compounded Surname) - In some cases, families may have combined their original surnames with those of spouses or through adoption, resulting in a compounded surname like Loperfido-Smith.
7. Laoperfido (Italian with altered word order) - This is an example of a surname with a change in the order of the words, which is sometimes seen when family names are created.

Famous people with the last name Loperfido

Notable individuals with the surname Loperfido include:

1. Franco Loperfido (born 1938), an Italian classical philologist and linguist, known for his work on Latin grammar and syntax. He is also a professor at Sapienza University of Rome.

2. Giorgio Loperfido (born 1967), an Italian screenwriter, journalist, and politician. He has written for several popular TV shows and was a member of the Italian Parliament from 2008 to 2013.

3. Luigi Loperfido (1845-1920), an Italian composer and musician, known for his operas and sacred music. His most famous work is probably the opera "La fanciulla di Orbetello".

4. Salvatore Loperfido (born 1976), a French-Italian jazz trumpeter and flugelhornist. He has collaborated with numerous renowned musicians and won several awards in the jazz world.

Genealogical research on the last name Loperfido

The Loperfido surname originates from Italy and is predominantly found in regions such as Abruzzo, Molise, and Apulia. The name is derived from the occupation "Luparifido," meaning "wolf-slayer." One notable figure with this surname is Gaetano Loperfido, an Italian baritone opera singer born in 1863. He gained fame for his performances in numerous operas by Giuseppe Verdi. The Loperfido family lineage can also be traced back to the 15th century through various Catholic Church records and census data in Italy. In North America, the surname appears predominantly in the United States, particularly in New York and Pennsylvania, where many Italian immigrants settled during the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

Last name distribution maps

Sources & References

• INSEE statistics on the surname "Loperfido"
• 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 : 28 July 2025

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