The name cello is an abbreviation of the Italian violoncello , which means `` little violone '' , referring to the violone ( `` big viol '' ) , the lowest-pitched instrument of the viol family , the group of string instruments that went out of fashion around the end of the 17th century in most countries except France , where they survived another half-century or so before the louder violin family came into greater favor in that country , too .
The name violoncello , means `` little violone '' .