Show ContentsSalerno History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Early Origins of the Salerno family

The surname Salerno was first found in the city of Salerno, which was part of the Papal States at one time, part of the Kingdom of Two Sicilies at another and later on an independent city-state. The variations of Salerno ending in "i" are from the northern part of Italy, but the family remained in the south for the most part. The family took their name from the city of Salerno where they originated, most likely taking on the name after they moved out of the city, to identify themselves as having come from there.

Early History of the Salerno family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Salerno research. Another 160 words (11 lines of text) covering the years 1350, 1404, 1422, 1638 and 1729 are included under the topic Early Salerno History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Salerno Spelling Variations

Spelling variations of this family name include: Salerni, Salierno, Salerno, Salernitano and others.

Early Notables of the Salerno family

Prominent among members of the family was

  • Giovanni-Nicola Salerno, who was a senator in Rome in 1422, after having been made a noble in 1404

Salerno Ranking

In the United States, the name Salerno is the 4,437th most popular surname with an estimated 7,461 people with that name. 1 However, in France, the name Salerno is ranked the 5,437th most popular surname with an estimated 1,000 - 1,500 people with that name. 2


Salerno migration to the United States +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Salerno Settlers in United States in the 19th Century
  • Alphonso Salerno, who settled in New York in 1882 aboard the "Orsola" from Palermo
  • Alessandro Salerno, 21, who settled in New York in 1896
  • Alessandro Salerno, who arrived at the port of New York July 25, 1896 aboard the "SS Olympia" from Naples
Salerno Settlers in United States in the 20th Century
  • Agnese Salerno, aged 14, who immigrated to the United States from Teora, Italy, in 1908
  • Agostino Salerno, aged 24, who landed in America from Cartiglione, Italy, in 1909
  • Agrippino Salerno, aged 45, who immigrated to America from Mineo, Italy, in 1910
  • Alberico Salerno, aged 13, who landed in America from S. Angelo, Italy, in 1910
  • Achille Salerno, aged 22, who immigrated to the United States from Faguano, Italy, in 1910
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Contemporary Notables of the name Salerno (post 1700) +

  • Anthony "Fat Tony" Salerno (1911-1992), New York mobster, front boss of the Genovese crime family, nicknamed "Fat Tony"
  • Shane Salerno (b. 1972), American screenwriter and producer, known for his work on Armageddon (1998), Shaft (2000) and Savages (2012)
  • Randy Salerno (1963-2008), American news anchor
  • Charles Salerno, American businessperson
  • Mary Salerno, American Democratic Party politician, Delegate to Democratic National Convention from Pennsylvania, 1972 3
  • Maria C. Salerno, American Democratic Party politician, Alternate Delegate to Democratic National Convention from Massachusetts, 1972 3
  • Joseph R. Salerno, American Republican politician, Alternate Delegate to Republican National Convention from Illinois, 1940 3
  • John M. Salerno, American Republican politician, Delegate to Republican National Convention from Pennsylvania, 1956, 1960, 1964 (alternate); Presidential Elector for Pennsylvania, 1956 3
  • Holly Salerno, American Republican politician, Alternate Delegate to Republican National Convention from Rhode Island, 2008 3
  • Gregory Salerno, American politician, Candidate for New York State Assembly from Bronx County 10th District, 1956 3
  • ... (Another 7 notables are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)


  1. "What are the 5,000 Most Common Last Names in the U.S.?". NameCensus.com, https://namecensus.com/last-names/
  2. http://www.journaldesfemmes.com/nom-de-famille/nom/
  3. The Political Graveyard: Alphabetical Name Index. (Retrieved 2015, October 21) . Retrieved from http://politicalgraveyard.com/alpha/index.html


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