Last Name Pieri

Learn more about the origin of the last name Pieri

The meaning and origin of the last name Pieri

The surname Pieri is an Italian name that originates from various regions of Italy. It is a toponymic surname, derived from places named Pieri or similar. One of the earliest records of this name can be traced back to the mid-13th century in Tuscany, where a certain "Pieri de Bonifacio" was mentioned. The name is believed to be derived from the Latin word "petra," meaning stone, and possibly referring to a location marked by a distinctive rock formation. Over time, various spellings of Pieri have evolved, including De Pieri, Di Pieri, and Pierini, reflecting regional dialects and changes in transcription over the centuries. Today, the surname is common in Italy, with concentrations in Tuscany, Umbria, and Emilia-Romagna.

Geographical distribution of the last name Pieri

The surname Pieri has its origins in Italy and is predominantly found in Tuscany, particularly in the cities of Pisa, Lucca, and Florence. It also occurs frequently in some regions of northern Italy such as Lombardy and Emilia-Romagna. Historically, the name Pieri can be traced back to medieval times and is derived from the personal name Piero, meaning "rock" or "stone." Outside of Italy, significant populations with the last name Pieri can be found in Brazil, Argentina, and Uruguay, due to Italian immigration during the 19th and early 20th centuries. Smaller communities with this surname also exist in other countries such as the United States, Canada, Australia, and France.

Variants and spellings of the last name Pieri

The surname Pieri has various spelling variations due to differences in transliteration, transcription errors, and regional dialects over time. Some common variants include Piery, Pierrie, Pieri, De Pieri, Di Pieri, DePieri, and DiPieri. These variations may arise from different countries or regions where the name originated, such as Italy, France, or other parts of Europe. The original Italian form is likely to be "da Pietro," meaning "from Peter." However, over time, the spelling evolved due to factors like linguistic migration and phonetic changes in local dialects.

Famous people with the last name Pieri

Notable individuals with the surname Pieri include:

1. Giuseppe Peano (1858-1932), an Italian mathematician and philosopher, who is best known for developing a form of mathematical logic called the Peano axioms.

2. Mario Pieri (1860-1913), an Italian mathematician and logician, also known for his work on the foundations of mathematics and geometry. He contributed to the development of non-Euclidean geometries and set theory.

3. Silvio Gesell (1862-1930), a German-born economist, although not Italian by birth, he is often associated with Italy as he lived there for much of his life and was an advocate for the free economy movement in the country.

4. Gino Bartali (1914-2000), an Italian professional cyclist, twice winner of the Tour de France in 1938 and 1948, and also a World Champion in 1938.

5. Luca Pisaroni (born 1973), an Italian operatic bass-baritone, known for his performances in major opera houses around the world.

These individuals have made significant contributions to various fields such as mathematics, economics, and music.

Genealogical research on the last name Pieri

The Pieri surname is an Italian patronymic originating from the male given name Piero, derived from Peter, a popular Christian name. The surname Pieri can be found primarily in regions such as Tuscany, Emilia-Romagna, and Umbria. It's believed that the family originated from the medieval town of Pietra in the province of Lucca, Tuscany.

The earliest documented records of the Pieri family date back to the 13th century, with notable members including the Pieri da Medicina, a distinguished family of painters and architects active in the 15th century. Other significant figures include the philosopher Giulio Pietro Pieri (1869-1952) and the mathematician Tullio Leonardo Pacini Pieri (1830-1907).

The Pieri surname has also spread worldwide due to Italian migration, particularly in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, with significant communities in Argentina, Brazil, Canada, Australia, and the United States. Variations of the name include De Pieri, Di Pieri, Peri, and Pieri.

Last name distribution maps

Sources & References

• INSEE statistics on the surname "Pieri"
• Global distribution of the surname on Forebears.io
• Wikipedia Article

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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 : 23 July 2025