F. Miranda explains that the surname derives from the Latin proper name Constantinus, in turn derived from Constans. The meaning of Constantinus is "belonging to Constans" or "relative to Constans", although it also functions as a diminutive of that name. In general terms, the names coming from Constans refer to the meaning of "tenacious, solid, quite firm", alluding to a resolute person who does not abandon his principles.

F. De Laurentiis considers it a variant of the surname Costantini. For his part, P. Durante notes that the surname has a Greek origin and comes from a proper name, although he does not develop this etymological line in detail.

As for its distribution, Miranda indicates that the surname is present in numerous localities of Italy, with greater concentration in Sicily, Calabria, Piedmont, Puglia, Campania, Lombardy, Lazio and Liguria. Within Sicily, the most prominent clusters are located in the Messina, Catania and Palermo areas, in addition to presence in the provinces of Syracuse, Trapani and Agrigento.