Comignani is a rare surname, with two main documented clusters: one in Abruzzo and another linked to an old Calabrian noble family. The most probable etymology is toponymic: it derives from the place name Comignano, a small locality in the province of Teramo (Abruzzo), situated at 980 metres of altitude at the foot of Colle Micedi, 26 kilometres from Teramo and 5 from Pagliaroli.

The name Comignano is usually explained as a Roman predial built on the Latin nomen Cominius (that is, estate of Cominius), which would indicate the presence of Roman properties in the zone in ancient times. An alternative hypothesis derives it from the Greek term komao (to produce green herbs), evoking a zone of pastures. The plural form Comignani with the gentilic suffix -ani would originally indicate the inhabitants of Comignano or the descendants of the Cominius family. The surname is today of very reduced diffusion.