The authors agree that the surname derives from hypocoristic forms of the Germanic name Berto, with the diminutive suffix -ucius. The Germanic root berhta meant "resplendent, illustrious". E. De Stefani specifies that the forms of origin would be Albertucius (little Alberto) or Robertucius (little Roberto), and notes that the Tuscanising spelling Bertucci was the official form in the 17th century, before the surname became consolidated in its current form.

E. Rossoni adds that in some cases the surname could derive from place names, such as Valle Bertuzzi, in the Bologna area. As historical testimonies he cites a deed of Vicenza of 1545 that mentions the councillor Lorenzo Bertuzzo, and the Ancona painter Nicola Bertuzzi (1710–1777). According to Rossoni, Bertuzzi is typical of northern Italy, with presence in Lombardy, central-eastern Emilia, Romagna and Friuli-Venezia Giulia; while the variant Bertuzzo is peculiar to the Vicenza area.

De Stefani also documents an early and well-rooted presence of the surname in the Carnia —a mountainous area of northern Friuli-Venezia Giulia, in the province of Udine—, at least from the mid-16th century, especially in Arta Terme.