G. Rohlfs identifies this surname as of Greek-Byzantine origin, derived from the Greek name Euphemía (Εὐφημία). He documents it in the city of Reggio Calabria and its province —including Cittanova, Gerace and the Roccella area—, as well as in the province of Cosenza, specifically in Aprigliano. He also notes presence in the region of Campania and in Sicily, and relates it to the contrada Santa Femìa of Dàvoli. He also refers to the form Fumìa as a linked variant.

P. Durante agrees on the Greek origin of the surname and links it to the root pheme, although the available source does not develop in greater detail the geographical distribution or the evolution of the name.