Signori

Signori is the plural form of Signore in Italian, meaning lords or gentlemen. It is used as a formal title for men and, in plural form, to address a group, as in Gentili Signori (Dear Sirs). In modern Italian, Signore is the standard form for “Mr.” or “Sir,” while Signori functions as the plural form for multiple men.

Historically, signoria denotes a form of political authority in medieval and Renaissance Italian city-states. Those who exercised this authority were called i signori. The term is closely associated with the governance structures of many communes, where a ruling family or oligarchic council held executive and legislative power over laws, taxes, and defense. A well-known example is Florence, where La Signoria referred to the city’s ruling body during parts of the late medieval and early Renaissance periods. In other towns, the signori likewise governed according to local customs, often representing dominant families or coalitions.

Signori also occurs as a surname. The surname Signori is of Italian origin and may derive from the historical title or from association with lordship or a location tied to a signore’s authority. In contemporary usage, Signori remains a family name in Italy and among Italian communities abroad, while the plural Signori continues to appear in formal Italian addresses as the polite plural for Signore.