Last Name Piacentini

The surname Piacentini originates from Italy, specifically from the region of Lombardy, particularly the province of Piacenza. It is an occupational name derived from the city of Piacenza, where it was common for craftsmen and merchants to adopt place names as their surnames to indicate their origins or profession. The term "Piacentino" in Italian means a native or inhabitant of Piacenza, with the suffix "-i" added in this case to denote a plural form which later evolved into a family name.

Learn more about the origin of the last name Piacentini

The meaning and origin of the last name Piacentini

The surname Piacentini is of Italian origin, specifically from the region of Lombardy, particularly the city of Piacenza. Derived from the place where the family resided, it means "of or from Piacenza." The city of Piacenza has a rich history dating back to Roman times and was an important center during the Middle Ages. It's believed that many Italian surnames, including Piacentini, evolved during this period when people started to use occupational names, patronymics (names derived from one's father's name), or geographical names like Piacentini. The migration of Italians to other parts of Europe and the Americas in the late 19th and early 20th centuries led to the widespread dispersal of this surname. Today, it remains common among Italian-speaking communities around the world.

Geographical distribution of the last name Piacentini

The surname Piacentini is predominantly Italian in origin and demonstrates a significant concentration within Italy, particularly in regions such as Emilia-Romagna and Liguria where it is most frequent. Emilia-Romagna, specifically the provinces of Parma, Modena, Reggio Emilia, and Piacenza, have high densities of individuals bearing this surname, reflecting its historic roots in these areas. Beyond Italy, smaller numbers of Piacentini can also be found in other Italian-speaking regions like Switzerland (Ticino), as well as in countries with a significant Italian diaspora such as Argentina, Brazil, the United States, and Australia. In these latter locations, the distribution of the surname is often concentrated in urban areas with strong Italian immigrant communities.

Variants and spellings of the last name Piacentini

The surname Piacentini has several variants and spellings due to regional differences and family lineage over time. Some common variations include Piazzenti, Piazzentini, Piacentino, and Piazzin. In Italian, the name typically ends with "-i" (Piacentini) and denotes a place of origin, in this case likely referring to the region of Lombardy in Italy known as Piacenza. Over time, and through migration, different families may have slight alterations to their surname, leading to variations such as Piagenti, Piazenza, and Piazenta. The name may also be found with different spellings due to linguistic changes or errors over the years, including Piacentine, Piatsenti, and Piatsenyo.

Famous people with the last name Piacentini

The Piacentini surname has produced several notable figures across various fields. Most prominently, Giuseppe Piacentini (1887-1967) was an Italian architect and urban planner known for his work in the Fascist period. He designed numerous public buildings and urban spaces throughout Italy, including the Esposizione Universale Roma (1942), a World's Fair never realized due to World War II. Another notable figure is Carlo Piacentini (b. 1936), an Italian physicist who contributed significantly to the study of cosmic ray showers and their applications in high-energy particle physics. In music, Luciano Piacentini (1897-1970) was a renowned composer and conductor, best known for his operas, ballets, and film scores. Lastly, Silvia Piacentini (b. 1968), an Italian computer scientist, is currently the Head of Research and Chief AI Officer at Ferrari, where she focuses on artificial intelligence and high-performance computing to enhance Ferrari's innovation in racing and road cars.

Genealogical research on the last name Piacentini

The surname Piacentini originates from the region of Piacenza in Italy. Historically, the name was first recorded in the Duchy of Piacenza during the Middle Ages. Notable individuals bearing this surname emerged throughout history, such as Giuseppe Piacentini, an Italian architect who designed various buildings in Rome and Turin during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. The Piacentinis migrated to other regions of Italy and later to foreign countries, including South America, North America, and Australia, due to economic or political factors. Genealogical research reveals a significant presence of Piacentinis in regions like Tuscany, Lombardy, and Emilia-Romagna. The diaspora of the Piacentini family has resulted in a diverse cultural heritage and global dispersal.

Last name distribution maps

Sources & References

• INSEE statistics on the surname "Piacentini"
• 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 : 12 June 2025

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