NomOrigine Background

Last Name Pellegrino

What is the origin of the last name Pellegrino?

The surname Pellegrino is an Italian patronymic surname derived from the given name Pellegrino, which means "pilgrim" in Italian. The name likely originated as a nickname for someone who had gone on a pilgrimage or for someone considered to be a traveler or wanderer. The use of surnames in Italy developed during the Middle Ages, and they were initially used to distinguish individuals within a family or village. Surnames could be derived from a variety of sources, including geographical features, occupations, personal characteristics, or nicknames. The patronymic surname Pellegrino would have been given to someone whose father was named Pellegrino. The name Pellegrino is also found in other countries with large Italian immigrant populations, such as the United States and Brazil, where it has been adapted to local spelling conventions.

Learn more about the origin of the last name Pellegrino

The meaning and origin of the last name Pellegrino

The surname Pellegrino is of Italian origin and means "pilgrim" or "traveler." It derives from the Latin word "peregrinus," which translates to "foreigner" or "stranger." This name was commonly given to individuals who had made a religious pilgrimage, particularly to Rome or Santiago de Compostela in Spain. The Pellegrino surname first appeared in Italy during the Middle Ages and has since been dispersed throughout various parts of the world due to Italian immigration. Notable figures with this surname include Alessandro Pellegrino, an Italian musician, and Giuseppe Pellegrino, a notable politician and writer from Italy.

Geographical distribution of the last name Pellegrino

The surname Pellegrino is predominantly Italian, with a significant concentration in the country's central and southern regions. According to data from various sources, it is most common in Campania, Abruzzo, Puglia, Calabria, and Sicily. In Campania alone, the city of Naples has the highest number of individuals bearing this surname. The name also appears frequently in other Italian-speaking regions such as Tuscany, Emilia-Romagna, and Lazio. Outside Italy, there are sizable populations of Pellegrinos in countries with large Italian diaspora communities like Argentina, Brazil, Uruguay, the United States, and Australia. In these countries, the surname is often found in urban centers with a strong Italian heritage.

Variants and spellings of the last name Pellegrino

The surname Pellegrino has various spelling variations due to historical transcription errors and regional dialects. Some common variants include Pellegreno, Pelegrin, Pelegrini, Pellegreni, Pelligrino, Pelligrini, Peligro, Peligri, Pelligrin, and Pellagru. These variations may arise from differences in pronunciation or spelling conventions over time and across geographical regions. It is important to note that the correct spelling of a name can sometimes be a matter of personal preference or cultural tradition rather than historical accuracy.

Famous people with the last name Pellegrino

Notable individuals with the surname Pellegrino include:

1. Maurizio Pellegrino (born 1964), an Italian football coach who has managed several clubs, including Napoli, Atletico Madrid, and Valencia.
2. Walter Pellegrino (1890-1956), an Argentine lawyer, journalist, politician, and diplomat who served as Argentina's ambassador to the Holy See during World War II.
3. Giancarlo Pellegrino (born 1947), an Italian actor known for his work in films such as "The Godfather Part III" and "The Talented Mr. Ripley."
4. Paolo Pellegrino (born 1962), an Italian photographer who has worked for National Geographic, Time Magazine, and The New York Times, among others.
5. Gennaro Pellegrino (born 1972), an Italian chef and restaurateur based in London, known for his Michelin-starred restaurant Locanda Locatelli.
6. Giuseppe Pellegrino (1834–1905), an Italian painter of the late-Romantic period who was a member of the Macchiaioli group.

Genealogical research on the last name Pellegrino

The Pellegrino surname is of Italian origin, derived from the Latin word "peregrinus," meaning foreigner or traveler. Historically, it was often given to individuals who were migrants or travelers. Notable figures with the Pellegrino surname include Giuseppe Pellegrino, an Italian mathematician known for his work in algebraic geometry, and Vincenzo Pellegrino, a Neapolitan poet and writer. In Italy, the Pellegrino family is most prevalent in the regions of Campania, Lazio, Abruzzo, and Molise. The name's frequency in those areas can be attributed to the Norman Conquest of Sicily in the 11th century when many Normans brought their names with them. In the United States, the Pellegrino family originated primarily from Southern Italy and were often among the Italian immigrants who arrived during the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

Last name distribution maps

Chargement de la carte...

Sources & References

About the author :
NomOrigine Team
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

Search the origin of a family name

Enter the surname you are looking for below:

Similar Last Names

Pela (Last name)

surnames > pela

The name "Pela" originates in Spain and Italy. In Spanish, it may refer to a variant of "Peláez", a surname of toponymic origin that refers to places called "Peláez", while in It...

Pelaez (Last name)

surnames > pelaez

The last name "Peláez" is of Spanish origin. It is a surname that can be traced back to the ancient region of Galicia in Northwestern Spain. The name is derived from a place calle...

Pelago (Last name)

surnames > pelago

The last name "Pelago" is of Italian origin. It is derived from the Italian word "pelago," which means "sea" or "ocean" in English. This surname likely originated as a topographic ...

Pelard (Last name)

surnames > pelard

The surname Pelard has roots that can be traced back to France, specifically Normandy. It is derived from the Old French word "pel," meaning "bald" or "shaven-headed," and the suff...

Pelardy (Last name)

surnames > pelardy

The last name "Pelardy" does not have a well-documented origin or history. It is relatively rare and may have various possible origins or derivations. It could be a variant or alte...

Pelarija (Last name)

surnames > pelarija

The last name "Pelarija" is of Croatian origin. It is derived from the word "pela" which means "cooking pot" in Croatian.

Pelathottathil (Last name)

surnames > pelathottathil

The last name "Pelathottathil" is of Indian origin, specifically from the state of Kerala. It is a combination of the words "Pela" and "Thottathil", where "Pela" refers to a specif...

Pelati (Last name)

surnames > pelati

The last name "Pelati" is of Italian origin. It is derived from the word "pelato," which means "bald" or "hairless" in Italian. This surname may have originally been a nickname for...

Pelaz (Last name)

surnames > pelaz

The origin of the surname Pelaz is uncertain due to the lack of definitive historical records. However, it is likely that this surname has various origins depending on the region a...

Pelchen (Last name)

surnames > pelchen

The surname Pelchen has German origins, specifically from the region of Bavaria and Swabia. It is derived from a topographic name for someone who lived on a small hill, as "Berg" o...

Pelecky (Last name)

surnames > pelecky

The last name "Pelecky" is believed to have originated from Czech Republic or Slovakia. It is derived from the given name "Pelek", which is a diminutive form of the name "Peter" in...

Pelegrinelli (Last name)

surnames > pelegrinelli

The surname "Pelegrinelli" is of Italian origin. It is derived from the given name "Pellegrino," which means "pilgrim" in Italian. This surname likely originated as a descriptive o...

Pelejo (Last name)

surnames > pelejo

The last name "Pelejo" is of Spanish origin and is derived from the Spanish word "pelaje," meaning fur or hair. It is believed to have originated as a nickname for someone with a h...

Pelella (Last name)

surnames > pelella

The surname "Pelella" is of Italian origin. It is derived from the personal name "Pelle", a short form of the given name "Achille", ultimately derived from the Greek name "Achilleu...

Pelentil (Last name)

surnames > pelentil

The surname Pelentil is believed to have origins in the Iberian Peninsula, specifically Portugal and northern Spain. It is a variant of the surnames Peláez, Pelayo, or Pelay, whic...