Show ContentsDeniro History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The Italian Deniro surname is derived from the Italian word "nero," meaning "black;" as such it was likely originally a nickname for someone with black or dark hair.

Early Origins of the Deniro family

The surname Deniro was first found in the Tuscan city of Lucca in 1200, when the Neri family was of noble status.

Early History of the Deniro family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Deniro research. Another 112 words (8 lines of text) covering the years 1291, 1431, 1450, 1461, 1472, 1482, 1490, 1515, 1609 and 1664 are included under the topic Early Deniro History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Deniro Spelling Variations

Italian surnames have a surprising number of forms in comparison with other European surnames because they reflect the regional variations and the many dialects of the Italian language, each of which has its distinctive features. For example, in Northern Italy the most standard Italian surname suffix is "I", whereas in Southern Italy the most typical surname suffix is "O". Sardinian is very different from other forms of Italian and in fact, it is considered to be its own distinct language. Additionally, spelling changes frequently occurred because medieval scribes, church officials, and the bearers of names, spelled names as they sounded rather than according to any specific spelling rules. As a consequence of the major changes in the Italian language and in the local spellings of Italian surnames that occurred over the course of history, there are numerous variations for the surname Deniro. These spelling variations include Neri, Nero, Lo Nero, Lonero, Lanera, Neriti, Neretti, Nerini, Nerucci, Nerozzi, Neroni and many more.

Early Notables of the Deniro family

Prominent among members of the family was a group of 27 priests from the Nero family in Florence, who lived around the 14th century. The Neroni family, also of Florence, produced 20 priests from 1291 to 1431. Giovanni Neroni was Bishop of Volterra in 1450 and in 1461 Pope Pio II granted him the position of Archbishop of Florence. Bernardo di...
Another 60 words (4 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Deniro Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.


United States Deniro migration to the United States +

Amongst the settlers in North America with this distinguished name Deniro were

Deniro Settlers in United States in the 19th Century
  • Addolorata De Niro, aged 23, originally from Campo Basso, who arrived in New York in 1893 aboard the ship "Charles Martel" from Naples, Italy [1]
  • Carmela De Niro, aged 1, originally from Campo Basso, who arrived in New York in 1893 aboard the ship "Charles Martel" from Naples, Italy [1]
  • Giuseppe De Niro, aged 17, originally from Ferrazzano, who arrived in New York in 1899 aboard the ship "Tartar Prince" from Naples, Italy [1]
Deniro Settlers in United States in the 20th Century
  • Pietro De Niro, aged 17, originally from Agnone, Italy, who arrived in New York in 1920 aboard the ship "Duca d'Aosta" from Napoli, Italy [1]

Contemporary Notables of the name Deniro (post 1700) +

  • Robert De Niro (b. 1943), American actor, director, and producer widely considered one of the greatest actors of his generation, recipient of the Presidential Medal of Freedom [2]
  • Virginia De Niro (1915-2000), also known as Virginia Holton Admiral, an American painter and poet
  • Grace Hightower De Niro (b. 1955), American philanthropist, socialite, actress, and singer, wife of Robert De Niro since 1997
  • Robert De Niro Sr. (1922-1993), American abstract expressionist painter and the father of actor Robert De Niro


  1. Ellis Island Search retrieved 15th November 2022. Retrieved from https://heritage.statueofliberty.org/passenger-result
  2. Robert De Niro. (Retrieved 2011, January 20) Robert De Niro. Retrieved from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robert_DeNiro


Houseofnames.com on Facebook