Origin of your surname and forename !
NomOrigine

Last Name Piccolo

Discover my family history now

What is the origin of the last name Piccolo?

The surname Piccolo has Italian origins. It is derived from a diminutive form of the word "piccolo," which means "little" or "small" in Italian. The use of occupational names, such as this one, was common in many regions of Italy during the Middle Ages and Renaissance periods. In this case, it likely denoted someone who played a small musical instrument, like a flute or recorder, as these were often referred to as "piccoli" (small) instruments in Italian.

Learn more about the origin of the last name Piccolo

The meaning and origin of the last name Piccolo

The surname Piccolo is an Italian and Jewish name, which derives from the Italian adjective "piccolo," meaning "little" or "small." It was often given to children born after several older siblings, reflecting their smaller stature compared to their predecessors. Alternatively, it could have been used as a nickname for someone who was small in size. The name has been recorded in Jewish families in Italy since the Middle Ages and is believed to have spread throughout Europe during the Jewish diaspora. Notable individuals with this surname include Giuseppe Piccolo, an Italian tenor, and Niccolò Piccinni, an 18th-century Italian composer.

Geographical distribution of the last name Piccolo

The surname Piccolo is predominantly Italian in origin, with a significant concentration in regions such as Calabria, Apulia, Lazio, Campania, and Tuscany. It is also present in other Italian-speaking areas like Switzerland, particularly in the canton of Ticino, and San Marino. Additionally, the Piccolo name can be found among Italian communities worldwide due to migration. Outside Italy, the distribution extends to Brazil, where it is primarily associated with the Italian immigrants who settled in Southern states such as Rio Grande do Sul and Paraná. The name has also been carried by Italian migrants to other parts of the world, including Argentina, Uruguay, United States, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand.

Variants and spellings of the last name Piccolo

The surname Piccolo can be found with various spelling and pronunciation variants due to linguistic differences across regions and time periods. Common English variations include Piccollo, Piccolos, Pickollo, and Picolla. In Italian, the name is often pronounced as "pick-KOH-loh" or "pih-CHOH-loh". Other phonetic spellings in English may include Pikcolo, Peekolo, or even Pykkollo, reflecting slight modifications in pronunciation. Additionally, there might be regional variations such as Piccolau (Corsica), Piccolot (France), and Piccoli (Italy) to name a few. These variations highlight the rich diversity of cultural heritage and migration patterns associated with the Piccolo surname.

Famous people with the last name Piccolo

The surname Piccolo is not particularly famous due to a high concentration of notable individuals bearing it, but there are two significant personalities associated with this name. Firstly, Piccolo Giussepe, an Italian tenor who performed in the early 20th century and was renowned for his operatic roles in Verdi's La Traviata and Pagliacci. Secondly, Piccolo Pete is a fictional character from the Dragon Ball Z franchise created by Akira Toriyama. He is a Namekian warrior who fought against Frieza and later joined forces with Goku and his allies. Despite their different realms – opera and anime – both Piccolos have left an indelible mark in their respective fields.

Genealogical research on the last name Piccolo

The surname Piccolo originates from Italy and is of Italian descent. It is a diminutive form of the word "piccolo," which means small in Italian. The earliest records of this name can be traced back to the regions of Lombardy, Veneto, and Tuscany during the Middle Ages. Notable figures bearing this surname include the Piccolomini family, who were influential in Renaissance Italy and produced Pope Pius II. The family was originally from Siena but later became prominent in Pisa and Florence as bankers, statesmen, and scholars. The Piccolo name has also been found in Sicily and Calabria. In modern times, the surname can be found throughout Italy and its diaspora in various countries, particularly Argentina, Brazil, Canada, and the United States, where it is often Anglicized to Pickle or Pikolo.

Last name distribution maps

Chargement de la carte...

NomOrigine Team
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 :

Share the origin of your last name with your friends

Twitter Facebook LinkedIn Pinterest WhatsApp Messenger Telegram

Search the origin of a family name

Enter the surname you are looking for below:

Similar Last Names

#1 Pic

Last name • surnames > pic

The surname "Pic" has origins that can be traced to various countries including France and Italy. In French, "pic" means "peak" or "point," and is a topographical name for someone ...

#2 Pic up fon

Last name • surnames > pic-up-fon

The last name "Picupfon" is of Thai origin. It is a combination of the words "pic" meaning "mountain" and "fon" meaning "rain." The surname likely originated from a geographical fe...

#3 Pica

Last name • surnames > pica

The surname "Pica" has multiple possible origins. 1. Italian Origin: "Pica" is an Italian surname derived from the Latin word "picus" meaning "woodpecker." It could have initiall...

#4 Picaimuthu

Last name • surnames > picaimuthu

The last name "Picaimuthu" is of Tamil origin and is most commonly found in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu. It is derived from the Tamil words "Picai" meaning "small" and "Muthu" m...

#5 Picamoles

Last name • surnames > picamoles

The last name "Picamoles" is of French origin. It is a surname that is believed to have originated from the Occitan region in southern France. The name may have been derived from a...

#6 Picapiedra

Last name • surnames > picapiedra

The last name "Picapiedra" is of Spanish origin. It is derived from the Spanish words "pica" meaning pick or pike, and "piedra" meaning stone. The name may have originally referred...

#7 Picardal

Last name • surnames > picardal

The last name Picardal is of Spanish origin. It is believed to be derived from the Spanish word "pícaro," which means clever or mischievous. It is also possible that the name come...

#8 Picardo

Last name • surnames > picardo

The surname Picardo is of Italian origin. It is a habitational name for someone from a place called Picardo.

#9 Picari

Last name • surnames > picari

The last name Picari is of Italian origin. It is a variation of the surname Picariello, which is derived from the personal name Picaro, meaning "mischievous" or "rogue" in Italian....

#10 Picarle

Last name • surnames > picarle

The surname Picarle is of Italian origin, derived from the Italian word "picare," meaning "to sting" or "to prick." This surname likely originated as an occupational or descriptive...

#11 Picart

Last name • surnames > picart

The surname Picart originates from France. It is derived from a professional occupation, specifically a "picteur" or a painter, which comes from the Old French word "pic(que)," mea...

#12 Picate

Last name • surnames > picate

The last name "Picate" is of Spanish origin. It is derived from the word "pica", which means magpie or pied wagtail in Spanish.

#13 Picaud

Last name • surnames > picaud

The surname Picaud is of French origin and is derived from a geographical location or a profession. The name originally referred to someone who lived near a picket fence (from Old ...

#14 Picazo

Last name • surnames > picazo

The surname Picazo is of Spanish origin. It derives from a place name or a geographical location, such as a hill or a mountain with a distinctive rocky outcropping, denoted by "pie...

#15 Picazo-blasco

Last name • surnames > picazo-blasco

The surname Picazo-Blasco is a compound Spanish surname formed by merging two distinct family names: Picazo and Blasco. The surname Picazo is believed to have originated from the ...