All surnames

Italian surname

Rizzo

Curly-haired

Descriptive surname

Rizzo is a southern Italian variant of Ricci, also meaning 'curly' or 'curly-haired'. It is particularly common in Sicily and southern Italy. Like Ricci, it began as a nickname for people with curly hair.

The name remains frequent in the south and among emigrants from that region. It illustrates the regional diversity of Italian surname forms.

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Frequently asked questions

What does the surname Rizzo mean?+

Curly-haired. A southern Italian variant of "riccio" (curly).

Is Rizzo a common surname?+

Rizzo is a Italian-origin surname. Popularity varies widely by country and region, and the same surname can be common in one place and rare in another.

Can two families with the same surname be unrelated?+

Yes. Surnames, especially occupational and descriptive ones like this, were often adopted independently by many unrelated families who happened to share a trade, appearance, or location.

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