The surname Evangelisti derives from the personal name Evangelista, of clear Christian root. According to E. De Felice, this name arises as a determinative and appellative applied to the four authors of the gospels —John, Luke, Mark and Matthew—, and in particular to Saint John the Evangelist, whom this term distinguishes from Saint John the Baptist.

In the same line, F. De Laurentiis agrees that the surname has as its base the name Evangelista, originated from that same identifying function of the authors of the gospels. He also adds that the surname is spread mainly in northern Italy, especially in regions such as Lombardy and Emilia.