According to E. De Felice, Arcari is an occupational surname derived from the medieval terms arcaro or arcario. These words originally designated a craftsman who made arche—wooden chests, coffers, or box-shaped furniture used for storage. In some cases, they could also refer to an official responsible for guarding the public treasury, which was traditionally kept in an arca (chest or strongbox). The surname is particularly widespread in northern Italy, while the related form Arcà is found in Greek-speaking areas of southern Italy.

De Felice further notes that Arcà reflects the Greek noun arcàs, incorporating a characteristic Greek occupational suffix. He also observes that some related surnames may have evolved through regional phonetic variations.

S. Vannozzi traces the surname to the Greek root árkein or árkos, related to the Latin arca and arcere, carrying the meanings “to enclose,” “to contain,” and by extension “to protect” or “to guard.” This interpretation reinforces the connection with both chest-making and custodial responsibilities.

V. Blunda agrees that the surname originated as an occupational nickname. He emphasizes that the Greek term arcàs specifically referred to a craftsman who built wooden chests and storage boxes, and that the surname was later transmitted as a hereditary family name.

Overall, Arcari is primarily an occupational surname associated with the manufacture of chests and wooden storage furniture or, in some cases, with the guardianship of valuables and public funds. Both meanings reflect the historical concept of the arca as a place of safekeeping and protection.