Il Mio Cognome is an Italian genealogy and cultural research project that explores the origins, meanings, history, and geographic distribution of Italian surnames. Its archive brings together research on historical documents, local histories, surname studies, and data about where families live today. The project distinguishes established facts from scholarly hypotheses and avoids attributing coats of arms to everyone who shares a surname.

Visitors can search an archive of more than 2,365 researched surnames and browse digital publications organized by region. Three regional volumes cover Northern, Central, and Southern Italy and the islands, each featuring common and less familiar surnames. The catalog also includes individual surname booklets with information such as origins, places, notable people, maps, and a family tree template. PDFs are available for immediate download after purchase and are formatted for printing.

Il Mio Cognome also shares articles, videos, and answers to frequently asked questions. Its resources explain that surname history can offer clues about a name’s origins and distribution, while tracing a particular family requires consulting civil and parish records.