According to E. De Felice, the surname Abbondi is characteristic of the area of Como and, in Switzerland, of Canton Ticino, where it shows notable frequency. It is the surname-formation of the personal name Abbòndio, very widespread in this area owing to the cult of Sant'Abbondio, bishop and patron saint of Como, who died in the year 468. This name continues Late Latin Abundius, derived from the adjective abundus (related to abundans, "abundant"), and has a clear auspicious value: "abundant, full, overflowing", understood in the Christian context as an abundance of grace and spiritual virtues.

For his part, E. Rossoni agrees that the surname derives from the medieval name Abundius, the Italian equivalent of Abbondio, reinforcing its patronymic origin. He also adds a significant cultural reference: the name is widely known through the character of Don Abbondio in the novel I promessi sposi by Alessandro Manzoni, which has contributed to its permanence in Italian cultural memory.