Last Name Pellegrini

The surname "Pellegrini" is of Italian origin and means 'pilgrim' or 'traveler'. It derives from the medieval Latin word "peregrinus," which translates to 'foreigner' or 'stranger', a term used by Christians to refer to those who traveled to the Holy Land as pilgrims. The surname became common in Italy, particularly in regions like Tuscany and Emilia-Romagna, where many families adopted it after returning from religious pilgrimages.

Learn more about the origin of the last name Pellegrini

The meaning and origin of the last name Pellegrini

The surname Pellegrini is an Italian patronymic name derived from the given name "Pellegrino," which means pilgrim in Latin. The name has its origins rooted in medieval Europe, where it was commonly given to individuals who embarked on religious journeys or pilgrimages. Over time, the name evolved into a surname as families adopted names based on their occupations, geographical locations, or personal traits. The Italian surname Pellegrini is quite common and is often found in Italy, but also in other parts of the world where Italians have migrated, such as South America and North America.

Geographical distribution of the last name Pellegrini

The surname Pellegrini is predominantly Italian in origin and is widely distributed throughout Italy, particularly in central and northern regions such as Emilia-Romagna, Lombardy, Tuscany, and Umbria. This name is also common in the provinces of Rome and Naples. Beyond Italy, significant numbers of people with the surname Pellegrini can be found in other Italian-speaking countries like Switzerland (especially Ticino) and Argentina. In the United States, the highest concentrations of individuals with this last name are found along the East Coast, particularly in states with a large Italian-American population such as New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Massachusetts. Additionally, small communities of Pellegrinis can be found in other countries with significant Italian immigrant populations, such as Canada, Australia, and Brazil.

Variants and spellings of the last name Pellegrini

The surname Pellegrini has several variations and spellings in different languages and regions. In English, it is most commonly spelled as Pellegrini. However, there are also some variants such as Pellegri, Pellegra, and Pellegrino, which may be found due to differences in transcription or regional dialects.

In Italian, the name can also be written as Pellegrin, Pelegrín (in Spanish), Pelegrino (in Portuguese), Pelegrini (in Croatian), Peligrini (in Lithuanian), and Peligrin (in Macedonian). Some less common variations include Pellegren, Pelegryn, and Pellegran.

These variations may have arisen due to the passage of time, geographical location, or changes in language rules and pronunciation over centuries. Regardless of the spelling, they all share a common root, originating from the Italian word "pellegrino," meaning pilgrim.

Famous people with the last name Pellegrini

Notable individuals with the surname Pellegrini include:

1. Maurizio Pellegrino (born 1964), an Italian football manager who has managed teams such as Napoli, Watford, and West Bromwich Albion.
2. Walter Pellegrini (1858-1933), an Argentine physician and founder of the Faculty of Exact, Natural and Technological Sciences at the University of Buenos Aires.
3. Giuseppe Pellegrino (1764-1830), a Neapolitan architect who worked on several major projects in Naples during the 19th century.
4. Fabio Pellegrini (born 1986), an Italian sprinter who won a silver medal in the 400 meters at the 2008 Beijing Olympics.
5. Tiziano Pellegrini (born 1978), an Italian footballer who played as a goalkeeper for various clubs in Italy and Germany.
6. Dino Pellegrini (born 1934), an Italian-American actor who appeared in films such as "The Godfather" and "Rosemary's Baby."

These individuals have made significant contributions to fields such as sports, medicine, architecture, and entertainment.

Genealogical research on the last name Pellegrini

The surname Pellegrini, which translates to 'pilgrim' in Italian, is widely distributed across Italy and other countries with significant Italian-descended populations. Originating from the Latin word "peregrinus," it was often given as a nickname for travelers or pilgrims.

The Pellegrini family can be traced back to medieval Italy, particularly in regions like Tuscany and Emilia-Romagna, where many of its earliest recorded members resided. Notable figures with this surname include Giuseppe Pellegrini (1836-1902), an Italian poet, and Vincenzo Pellegrini (1907-1991), an American Olympic athlete who won gold in the 400-meter hurdles.

The name has also spread globally due to migration waves from Italy during the late 19th and early 20th centuries, with significant Pellegrini communities now present in countries such as the United States, Argentina, Brazil, and Australia. Genealogical research on this surname often involves tracing family lines through birth, marriage, and death records in these various locations.

Last name distribution maps

Sources & References

• INSEE statistics on the surname "Pellegrini"
• 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

Share the origin of your last name with your friends