Spina Surname in Italy

Spina is a very widespread surname throughout Italy, and its large distribution suggests more than one origin. The most direct explanation links it to the medieval personal name Spina, possibly through diminutive forms, or to Spinello; in some cases it may also come from the name Crispino by aphesis, together with its diminutives. A toponymic origin is also possible in certain families, from places such as Spina in the Perugia area, Spinea in the Venetian area, Spineda and Spino d’Adda in the Cremona area, Spinete in the Campobasso area, or Spineto Scrivia in the Alessandria area, among other similar localities. In Sardinia, the surname is connected with the common noun meaning “thorn”, and historical records show the early form Ispina in the 14th century; local tradition also mentions an ancient settlement called Spina Alba, now lost. The surname’s broad spread and the presence of distinct regional branches point to multiple independent origins.