Pagani is an Italian surname, a cognate of the English surname Payne. Both surnames ultimately derive from a medieval nickname meaning 'pagan' or 'heathen' (from Latin paganus 'rustic,' 'villager,' later 'pagan'), referring either to someone who clung to pre-Christian beliefs or to a rustic person.Etymology and OriginThe Italian name Pagani is a patronymic or plural form of Pagano, meaning 'of Pagano' or 'the Pagans.' The variant form Pagano is also common in Italy. The name spread throughout Italy and later to other countries through immigration.Geographic DistributionAccording to the 2010 United States Census, Pagani ranks 30,600th in frequency, with 762 bearers, predominantly White (78.35%) and Hispanic/Latino (19.69%). In Italy, the surname is most common in Lombardy, Emilia-Romagna, and Campania.Notable BearersNicolò Pagani (1716–1790), Italian painter of the late BaroqueNello Pagani (1911–2003), Italian motorcycle road racer and Formula One driverHoracio Pagani (born 1955), Argentine-Italian automotive engineer, founder of Pagani AutomobiliValerio Pagani (born 1992), Italian footballerRelated SurnamesRelated surnames in other languages include English Pain and Payne, all sharing the same etymological root.Meaning: 'pagan,' 'heathen,' or 'rustic'Origin: ItalianType: Surname from a nicknameUsage: Italy, France, United States, Argentina