Italian Migration to the British Isles

Click on the links below or on the side panel to the left and discover more information to guide your research:

Italian Arrival and Settlement in the British Isles: a timeline

Italiani in Inghilterra dal Trecento ai nostril giorni

Italians in England from the fourteenth century to the present day [1968].  Extracted from the archive Historical Italian.  Leo S Olshki – Editor, Firenze 1968.

"On the Italians who went to London from the fourteenth century to today one could, indeed one should, write a large volume, and it is not unlikely that I myself will do so in the near future. The reasons that pushed our fellow countrymen on the long journey which until the last century must have been full of uncertainties, dangers and compatriots on the long journey which until the last century must have been full of uncertainties, dangers and unpleasant discomforts, are numerous and of the most varied nature. Some went there out of official duty because they were diplomats, others for work, attracted by hope. to make a fortune, others still for pleasure."

The Alien Presence: Immigration into Britain 1880 - 1939: Paul di Felice

Despite Britain's 'liberal' self-image in the nineteenth century, immigration controls in the first half of the twentieth century were steadily tightened. How and why did this shift occur?

Weaving Italian experience into the British immigration narrative: Prof. Wendy Ugolini

The distress Italian families experienced during the wartime period, as well as the fact that they have been settled in Britain for over a hundred and fifty years has produced what Fortier characterizes as ‘a distinctly Italian form of belonging in Britain.’

Immigrant and Emigrant Populations: country of origin and destination

As of mid-2024, the number of international migrants worldwide stood at 304 million (or 3.7 percent of the world’s population), according to the most recent UN Population Division estimates. This map shows the immigrant and emigrant populations by country of origin and destination. Select a country from the dropdown menu to learn where immigrants originate and the countries in which emigrants settle. If "emigrants" is selected, bubbles will appear over top countries of destination, sized according to the estimated emigrant population in each country. (Hover over individual bubbles to learn the population sizes by country.) Selecting "immigrants" as the population indicator will display bubbles over key countries of origin for the immigrant population of a selected country based on estimated population size.

Building Italian Communities in the British Isles

From the 1880s, the Italian presence in Britain grew rapidly. Between 1891 and 1901 the number of Italian-born people more than doubled, rising from 11,000 to over 24,000, with over half located in London.  These British census figures, however, do not include those born in Britain to Italian parents; the actual size of the Italian community would have been much greater.  Due to the Aliens Act of 1905 (see: Jewish immigration and the Aliens Act), there was little further expansion of the Italian-born population, which rose only by 1,000 between 1901 and 1911.  In overall terms, during this period only a small proportion of emigrants from Italy arrived and settled in Britain. The vast majority were destined for the United States, Argentina and Brazil as well as other European countries. 

Here and There: Lives of 19th Century Italian Immigrants to Britain

by Prof Lucio Sponza, one of the foremost Italian Scholars of Italian Immigration in Britain. (Podcast) Members only.

Benvenuti nel Regno Unito? British Perceptions and Realities of Italians in the UK: Terri Colpi

The Italian presence in the United Kingdom comprises both migrants and descendants who exemplify distinct migratory phases and characteristics. British perceptions of Italians and Italianness are positive; but remain relatively static based on consolidated imagery of British Italians and familiar representations of Italy and its commoditisation. Progression of perception is inhibited by inconspicuousness of new Italian migrants, especially professionals, durability of stereotypes and the super-diversity of Britain's population, especially in London.

Barometer Makers: the Quest for the Ortellis

The history of barometers through one family’s journey. This research was prompted by my purchase of my second barometer, signed Ortelli & Co, Macclesfield, because there was no information on Ortellis to be found beyond a listing and the information on the barometers that carried their name. In putting it on the internet as work in progress, I felt I ought to explain the background to the Italian emigration of the late 18th-early 19th century.

Italians and the United Kingdom (UK)

Looking for Italians in the UK. Lorenzo Colantoni and Ricardo Venturi explore stories of historic and contemporary Italian immigration in the UK.