The surname Altobelli and its variants have an anthroponymic origin based on a medieval name of descriptive character. According to E. De Felice, it derives from the nickname and later name Altobèllo, formed by the union of two adjectives: alto and bello, that is, "tall and handsome". This type of name, which highlighted physical or evaluative qualities, was common in the Middle Ages and gave rise to numerous surnames.

As for its diffusion, E. De Felice notes that the surname is found from southern Italy as far as Emilia, although it is uncommon today.

For his part, E. Rossoni confirms this origin, indicating that it derives from the medieval name Altobellus, documented in the second half of the 15th century with the Veronese painter Altobellus Pictor, which shows its use as a personal name before it consolidated as a surname.

Taken together, both interpretations agree in pointing to an origin based on a compound name of descriptive character, which arose in the Middle Ages and was later transmitted as a hereditary surname in various Italian regions.