The authors agree that the surname derives from the medieval term almirante or ammirante, an old or regional form of ammiraglio ("commander, high military official"), in turn derived from the Arabic al-amīr ("the chief, the commander, the lord"), the same root as the term emir.

De Felice specifies that it is the surname-formation of the title almirante or amirante, and that it came into Italian as a loan from the Spanish almirante. He notes that it is widespread in the south, especially in the Naples area.

Rossoni adds that the surname derives, through various modifications, from the same medieval term.

Forum identifies it as a southern surname that reached Italy through Spanish, originating in the Arabic al-amìr ("the commander", the emir).