The authors agree that the surname derives from a Greek root linked to the meaning of "beautiful" or "handsome". E. Rossoni proposes several ways of origin: the Greek name Kalliòn ("more beautiful"), the place name of the city of Kallion in Aetolia, Greece, or the Greek surname Kalliòs. V. Blunda derives it directly from the Greek Caliòs, linked to the root kal- ("beautiful, handsome"), interpreting it as a personal name or nickname that over time became a surname; he also notes its parallelism with the surname Calá.

Geographically, Rossoni documents its presence in Calabria, especially in the Catanzaro area and in Rossano, in the province of Cosenza. In Sicily, he records it in the Messina area —in localities such as Naso and Capo d'Orlando— and in the Catania area, including Ramacca and Catania. Blunda also places it in Sicily, where he notes that the Italianized spelling of the name became fixed by family line.