Negro Coat of Arms and Surname Origin

The spelling Negro grew out of Negri, an Italian surname with a long paper trail. The change of ending between Negri and Negro reflects the Italian habit of naming a family in the plural or the singular. Its meaning, shared with Negri, is “Dark-haired, dark-complexioned”. Spellings drifted because names were written down by ear in parish books, tax rolls and passenger lists.

You may also find the name written Nigro and Negrini.

Heraldry is personal: arms associated with the Negri surname were borne by specific families, and sharing the name does not mean sharing the blazon. For the full story, order the Negro surname pack.