The authors agree that this surname derives from the medieval name Cataldus. F. Miranda specifies that this name comes from the Latin Cataldus and Cathal, probably from the old Gaelic cath ("battle") and val ("dominion, government"), or from the Germanic hatu + walt, both with the sense of "strong in battle". Miranda also notes that some derive it from Gaidoaldus, a name of Germanic origin meaning "valiant".

E. Rossoni adds that the name Cataldus is documented in a deed of donation of the year 686 drafted in Cremona, and that its transformation into a surname is documented in Messina in the 14th century. Rossoni also contemplates a possible derivation from place names such as San Cataldo, in the province of Caltanissetta, or San Cataldo di Bella, in the province of Potenza, or from the Lombard term gastaldo.

The surname is concentrated mainly in southern Italy, especially in Puglia, Basilicata, Calabria and Sicily, with presence also in Lazio and the Marche. In Sicily it is documented in the provinces of Syracuse, Palermo, Ragusa, Messina, Catania, Caltanissetta and Enna. Miranda also notes ramifications in Lombardy, Piedmont, Tuscany and Calabria.