C
Meaning & History
Corna is an Italian surname derived from the Lombard dialect word for "crag" or "cliff." It originated as a toponymic name for people from various places in northern Italy, especially Lombardy, named for their location near such rocky features.
The surname may also be associated with the Italian tradition of "fare le corna" (making the sign of the horns), a gesture used to ward off evil or bad luck. This connection, while folkloric, aligns with the word's root in vocabulary for horn-like, projecting landforms.
Notable Bearers
- Andrea Corna (19th-century Italian painter)
- Bernardo Corna (17th-century Italian architect)
Distribution
Corna is most frequently found in Lombardy, particularly in the provinces of Bergamo and Brescia.
- Meaning: "Crag, cliff"; also associated with "horns"
- Origin: Northern Italian place name from Lombard dialect
- Type: Toponymic surname
- Regions: Northern Italy, especially Lombardy