The authors agree that this surname is of Greek-Byzantine origin and derives from a term that designated the trade of coppersmith. G. Rohlfs links it to the Greek χαλκωματᾶς, meaning "coppersmith" or artisan who works copper, and notes its presence in the city of Reggio Calabria and its province —especially in the Bianco, Bova and Mèlito areas—, as well as in Neapolitan and Sicilian areas.

V. Blunda specifies the etymological base by breaking down the term into the Greek chalcòs, "copper", and indicates that the surname arose as a professional nickname attributed to the artisan who made cauldrons and kitchen utensils in metal. E. Rossoni, for his part, circumscribes it specifically to the Reggio Calabria area and describes the process by which this trade name became the surname of the founder of the lineage.

Rohlfs also observes that in Argentina the surname may appear without an accent, as Falcomata.