G. Rohlfs identifies this surname as of Greek-Byzantine origin, documented in the province of Catanzaro —specifically in Tropea— and in the province of Reggio Calabria —in Locri—. He derives it from the Greek χρυσάφιον, which means "gold", and refers to the variant Crisafi. He also notes that it reflects the Byzantine presence in southern Italy.

P. Durante proposes, on the other hand, a different Greek origin, linked to the meaning of "tailor", deriving it from the root hapto. This interpretation differs substantially from that of Rohlfs both in the proposed etymon and in the meaning.