The available sources offer two independent etymological interpretations for this surname, which coincide with its two differentiated zones of historical presence.

E. Rossoni proposes that the surname constitutes a patronymic form typical of the Veneto with the suffix -ato, which would indicate "family of the sons of a Corà or Corrado" (see the surname Corà). This form is characteristic of the Vicenza area, with presence documented in Vicenza, Monteviale, Arzignano, Creazzo and Nogarole Vicentino. For the scarce southern presence of the surname, Rossoni posits an independent origin in the place name Corato, a locality of the province of Bari.

V. Blunda proposes, on the other hand, an etymology from the Greek coràtes, a derivative with the agentive suffix -ates, characteristic of the trade or belonging names of the Byzantine repertoire. According to Blunda, this form was transmitted to eastern Sicily and became a surname through the Greek-speaking tradition of the island during the medieval period.

Both proposals point to origins independent of each other: a Latin or Romance patronymic root in the northeast of Italy, and a Greek root of Byzantine influence in Sicily. The surname therefore presents multiple independent clusters of origin (ceppi), arisen in different regions.