NomOrigine Background

Last Name Ruggi

What is the origin of the last name Ruggi?

The surname Ruggi is of Italian origin and is derived from the occupational name for a rug maker or a nickname for someone who was short and stocky, resembling a rug. The word "ruggia" in Italian means rush (a type of grass), which was used to make mats or rugs. In some cases, Ruggi might also be a variant of the surname Ruggeri, which is derived from the given name Ruggero (Roger), a popular medieval personal name that originated from the Old Norse name Hrørek, meaning "famous ruler." The diminutive form Hrøkr became Rogier in French and Roger in English, and the surname Ruggeri or Ruggi developed as a patronymic or occupational name. Italian surnames typically originated as a result of the political and social chaos that followed the fall of the Western Roman Empire. During this period, families often took names from their places of origin, their occupation, or other identifying characteristics in order to distinguish themselves from neighbors who had similar first names.

Unlock and discover the hidden secrets of the surname Ruggi

Unlock the Secrets of Your Surname Now

For only 3.95 $, you get:

  • Full access for 7 days
  • Unlimited access to all name and surname profiles
  • High-quality Origin Certificate
  • Download: Keep a precious memory with your origins downloadable in PDF format.
  • Unlimited search
  • Ad-Free: Enjoy a smooth and uninterrupted user experience.
  • ✅ 15-Day Money-Back Satisfaction Guarantee!
Unlock the Secrets of Your Surname Now
🎁 Special offer today: 3.95 $ instead of 6.95 $
⏳ This exclusive offer expires in:

✅ 15-Day Money-Back Satisfaction Guarantee!

What our users say

“I discovered fascinating details about my family history. This service is amazing for tracing our roots!” - Jean D.

“This site strengthened our sense of family belonging by uncovering our origins. Highly recommended!” - Marie L.

“The information was detailed and accurate. I learned interesting facts about my ancestors. A must-have!” - Paul S.

✅ Join the 5,000+ people who have already discovered the fascinating history of their last name!

Discover my family history now

Frequently Asked Questions

Question: What will I discover by exploring my last name?
Answer: You will discover the geographical origin, etymology, and unique history of your last name. You can also explore family traditions and historical events connected to it.

Question: How long does it take to access the information?
Answer: Once your payment is confirmed, access is instant. You can start exploring right away.

Question: Are the details about my last name accurate?
Answer: Our data comes from extensive research in reliable archives and historical databases. While we cannot guarantee 100% accuracy, we strive to provide the most complete and precise information possible.

Payment Information

or pay by card

By clicking 'Confirm my payment', you agree to our refund policy, accessible via this link: Refund Policy, as well as our cancellation policy accessible via this link: Cancellation Policy

Learn more about the origin of the last name Ruggi

The meaning and origin of the last name Ruggi

The surname Ruggi is an Italian-origin name derived from various geographical locations in Italy that have the term "Ruggia" or "Ruggio" in their names. These places are primarily found in regions such as Abruzzo, Marche, and Molise. The name may also have origins linked to occupations related to weaving, as "ruggero" is the Italian word for a rug-maker. Over time, it has been anglicized into Ruggi in English-speaking countries. This surname is most common among individuals of Italian descent.

Geographical distribution of the last name Ruggi

The surname Ruggi is predominantly found in Italy, particularly in regions such as Tuscany, Emilia-Romagna, and Lombardy. It is a common last name in these areas due to their historical ties with the city of Milan and its surrounding provinces. However, it has also been documented in other Italian regions like Veneto, Piemonte, and Lazio. Beyond Italy, the Ruggi surname can be found in various countries with significant Italian diaspora populations, such as Argentina, Brazil, the United States, and Canada. In these countries, Ruggi is often concentrated in urban centers with large Italian immigrant communities.

Variants and spellings of the last name Ruggi

The surname Ruggi has several variants and spellings due to transcription errors, regional dialects, and migration processes over time. Some common variations include Rughi, Rughey, Rugai, Ruggiu, Ruggia, and Ruggiero. These variations may originate from attempts to phonetically represent the name in different languages or dialects, or they could result from errors during the registration of immigrant families in various countries. In some cases, these variants may have also evolved into distinct surnames as a result of family lineage divergence over generations. Despite these variations, all these surnames can be traced back to the Italian name Ruggero, which is derived from the Old High German HrodgaR, meaning "famous spear."

Famous people with the last name Ruggi

The Ruggi surname has been associated with several notable figures across various fields. In the world of sports, one well-known individual is Fabio Ruggieri, an Argentine former footballer who played for clubs such as River Plate and Fiorentina, and represented his country in the 1998 FIFA World Cup. In the realm of science, Luigi Ruggi-Ver (1857-1924) was an Italian physician, pathologist, and mycologist who made significant contributions to the study of fungal diseases and parasites. In the entertainment industry, American actor Nick Ruggiero is known for his roles in shows like "NCIS" and "CSI: NY". Lastly, Franco Ruggi, a Swiss historian and archaeologist, has been instrumental in the study of Etruscan culture, publishing numerous books and articles on the subject.

Genealogical research on the last name Ruggi

The surname Ruggi originates from Italy and is derived from the medieval Italian occupation of 'ruggiuolo,' meaning 'a small stream' or 'ravine.' This name was often given to individuals who lived near such geographical features.

The Ruggi family has a significant presence in several Italian regions, particularly Tuscany, Emilia-Romagna, and Lombardy. One of the earliest recorded instances of the Ruggi surname is in the 13th century in Florence.

In the 16th century, many Ruggi families migrated to France, Switzerland, and other parts of Europe due to economic and political reasons. Some branches of the family also emigrated to South America and the United States during the 19th and early 20th centuries.

Notable individuals with the surname Ruggi include Giovanni Ruggi, an Italian violinist, and Alessandro Ruggi, a prominent Italian painter from the Baroque period. The Ruggi family is known for its contributions to art, music, and politics in Italy.

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 : 24 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

Rugama (Last name)

surnames > rugama

The last name "Rugama" originated in Nicaragua. It is of indigenous origin and derives from the Nahuatl word "roca" meaning "rock" or "stone".

Rugayan (Last name)

surnames > rugayan

The surname Rugayan is of Filipino origin. It is derived from the Filipino word "Rugay," which means to anticipate or wait.

Ruger (Last name)

surnames > ruger

The surname Ruger is of Germanic origin. It is derived from the Middle High German "Ruodegar," which means "famous spear." Over time, it has been anglicized and variations like Rug...

Ruggeri (Last name)

surnames > ruggeri

The surname Ruggeri is of Italian origin. It comes from a medieval occupational name for someone who was a ruggero or rugiere, meaning "rug maker" in Old Italian. This profession, ...

Ruggiero (Last name)

surnames > ruggiero

The surname Ruggiero has Italian origins. It is derived from the medieval given name Ruggiero, which was itself derived from the Old Norse name Hróarr. The name Ruggiero later bec...

Rugharam (Last name)

surnames > rugharam

The origin of the last name Rugharam is not readily available. It does not appear to have a widely known specific origin or meaning in English.

Rugi (Last name)

surnames > rugi

The surname Rugi is of Italian origin. It is derived from a variety of given names such as Ruggero (Roger), Ruggiero (Peter Roger), or Rugolo (diminutive form of Ruggero). These na...

Ruginski (Last name)

surnames > ruginski

The last name "Ruginski" is of Polish origin. It is derived from the personal name "Rug," which is a short form of the given name "Roger." The suffix "-ski" is a common suffix in P...

Rugnao (Last name)

surnames > rugnao

The last name "Rugnao" is of Italian origin. It is derived from the word "rugna," meaning wrinkle or furrow in Italian. The name may have originally been used to describe someone w...

Ruguru (Last name)

surnames > ruguru

The last name "Ruguru" is of African origin. It is likely derived from a specific ethnic group or language within Africa.

Rugwani (Last name)

surnames > rugwani

The last name "Rugwani" is of Indian origin. It is believed to be derived from the Hindi word "Rajwani," which means belonging to the royal lineage or being of noble descent.