coltelli

Coltelli is an Italian surname as well as the plural form of the noun coltello, which means knife in Italian. As a surname, Coltelli most likely originated as an occupational or descriptive nickname connected to knife making, trade, or use, and it has been borne by families in Italy and among Italian diaspora communities.

In the Italian language, coltello is the singular for “knife” and coltelli is the plural for “knives.” The root appears in related terms such as coltelleria (cutlery shop) and coltello da cucina (kitchen knife). Variants and related surnames include Coltellini and Coltellino, reflecting regional spelling variations and diminutive forms.

Given its Italian origins, the name is found in genealogical and civil records in Italy and in historical records of Italian emigrant communities abroad. The surname does not imply a specific, well-documented lineage beyond its general association with knives and knife-making crafts.

Coltelli may also be encountered as a lexical entry in dictionaries and linguistic references to illustrate the plural formation of Italian nouns. Across contexts, the term remains primarily known as a standard Italian word for blades and as a family name carried by individuals of Italian heritage.