E. Rossoni proposes that the surname could derive from an archaic dialectal form of galeoto, that is, a sailor enlisted on the galleys, a probable trade of the founder of the lineage. According to Rossoni, the surname is peculiar to Calabria, especially of the Reggio Calabria area —in localities such as Seminara, Palmi and Bagnara Calabra— and also of the Crotone area.

P. Durante, on the other hand, proposes a Greek origin and links it to the term gala, meaning "milkman", which would point to a trade related to the production or sale of milk as the motivation of the surname.