Schiavone

Schiavone is an Italian surname with origins in the medieval term Schiavone, derived from Schiavo, meaning a Slav or Slavonic person. The name historically designated someone of Slavic origin or descent and later became a hereditary family name. It is found across Italy and among Italian diaspora communities, with no single region exclusively associated with it.

In Italian usage, the surname reflects a historical awareness of Slavic origins and reflects broader patterns of surname formation in the peninsula. Over time, individuals bearing the name have pursued various professions and gained recognition in different fields.

Notable people with the surname include Francesca Schiavone (born 1981), an Italian former professional tennis player who won the 2010 French Open. Her victory is the most widely cited achievement associated with the name in contemporary sports.

Schiavone also appears in genealogical and surname databases as part of the larger set of names derived from ethnonyms for Slavic peoples. Beyond individual biographies, the name functions as a cultural marker of historical contact between Italian communities and Slavic regions.