The Messapii are an ancient tribe that inhabits, in historical times, the southeastern peninsula or "heel" of Italy (Salento, modern Apulia), known variously in ancient times as Calabria, Messapia and Iapygia.

Their chief towns are Uzentum (modern Ugento), Rudiae (modern Lecce), Brundisium (modern Brindisi) and Hyria.

They speak the Messapian language.

They are often referred to as "the most southerly of the Iapygian tribes".